Tips so that health is not missing in your suitcase

Why is it important to prepare a travel kit?

When we undertake a trip or are planning it, many times we ignore the need to carry a small health kit in our luggage because we prioritize including other objects or clothing. But we must know that unforeseen events such as food poisoning, a bite, or a cold can occur at any time and place and are setbacks that can ruin our days off if we cannot stop them in time.

Therefore, to prevent or deal with these minor health complications, a first-aid kit with the appropriate solutions should not be missing from our vacation luggage.

What should be taken into account before preparing it?

Before embarking on putting items in the travel kit, we must plan its content taking into account a series of previous considerations:

· Chronic pathologies: if we suffer from any disease that requires regular medication, we must take a sufficient amount for every day we are traveling, since it may happen that in our vacation spot, we do not have facilities to obtain the necessary medications in case we run out finish. In the same way, we must include medical reports or prescriptions that are related to the medication we take. And in the case of special medications such as opiates, it is advisable to take them in their original packaging to avoid problems at customs or security controls at airports.

· Information about the destination: it is advisable to inquire about the health risks associated with the site we are going to visit, in addition to informing ourselves in advance at an International Vaccination Center about the vaccinations required to travel to tropical or exotic destinations.

· Saving space: as it is important to optimize space in suitcases or travel backpacks, it may be counterproductive to include material that we do not know how to use in our first-aid kit (sewing thread or resuscitation material, for example). In addition, it is better to prioritize medicines -which can be difficult to find- over other items, such as bandages or cotton, which, at any given time, we can easily find at points of sale.

What characteristics does a good travel kit have?

In addition to paying attention to the contents of the first-aid kit, there are other secondary characteristics that we can also highlight:

· Safety: the toiletry bag, box, or bag that we use as a travel first-aid kit must be resistant and light, to prevent the medicines from breaking or deteriorating.

· Transport: it is preferable to carry the first-aid kit in your hand luggage, in case during the trip itself we need any medication or element to attend to unforeseen events.

· Storage: both in the suitcase and once we arrive at our destination, it must be stored in places without too many variations in temperature or humidity.

· Medicines: do not store them loose or only with the blister pack; You must keep them in their original packaging, with their prospectus, and together with the prescription or medical report, especially if you suffer from a chronic illness.

· Useful information: it is worth including a piece of paper in the medicine cabinet with indications about the hospitals and health centers closest to your vacation spot (phone numbers and address).

· Up to date: it is essential to keep your first-aid kit updated. Once a year and always before traveling, check your medications and other items in case they are out of date or in poor condition.

The ten unforeseen events that a suitable holiday kit will allow you to face:

The contents of a travel kit should cover all kinds of minor health-related mishaps and possible ways to fix them.

· Wounds or cuts.

They are more or less minor mishaps that can occur at any time and to which you have to act quickly by washing the wound, drying it, disinfecting it, and protecting it. To do this, you will need hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, an antiseptic, bandages or gauze, adhesive tape, and, if possible, sterile gloves.

· Colds and headaches, menstrual or muscular.

To prevent a cold, a headache, or your period from spoiling your holidays, carry anti-inflammatory and pain relievers in your medicine cabinet. In the case of blows, it is also recommended to have them in cream or gel format. Nor is there a thermometer left over, which will allow you to control possible feverish states.

· Gastrointestinal disorders.

On vacation, the risk of ingesting spoiled liquids or food multiplies, especially if you travel to developing countries. To combat diarrhea, you will need to carry antidiarrheals in your first aid kit, as well as serum (oral rehydration solutions with glucose and sodium) to replace the salts and minerals lost in episodes of vomiting and avoid dehydration. If the change of scenery gives rise to annoying constipation, laxatives can be very useful, although you should only take them if strictly necessary.

· Sunburn.

Whether we choose a beach, mountain, or cultural destination, on vacation we always spend more time outdoors. For this reason, your luggage should not be without sunscreen with a factor of 30 or higher to protect you against UVA, UVB, and IR-A radiation. If you travel with children, the protection must be at least factor 50 and for pediatric use. It is also advisable to wear lipsticks with sun protection.

· Mosquito bites and other insects or animals.

On vacation, it is necessary to protect yourself from mosquitoes, both to avoid annoying itching and inflammation caused by their bites and to prevent diseases that some tropical species can transmit. To do this, take an insect repellent with you that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET).

· Foot problems.

Since you walk a lot more on vacation and it is common for it to be hotter, our feet are often worse off. Carrying band-aids or dressings in your medicine cabinet will help you alleviate the pain of possible chafing and blisters from wearing slippers or sandals.

· Dizziness.

On vacation, you never know when you'll be faced with a hectic road trip or when you'll have the chance to go boating or engage in water activities. For this reason, although we are not prone to getting dizzy, taking a product to prevent dizziness can save us from bad times.

· allergies.

People who suffer from allergies must always be prepared to face the symptoms of an attack -nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and palate, rhinitis, sneezing...- during their travels. For this reason, in the medicine cabinet of an allergic person, there should never be a lack of antihistamines and corticosteroids prescribed by their doctor.

· Insomnia caused by jet lag.

After a long-haul flight, a person's internal clock tends to override the new time zone, especially when traveling east. To combat insomnia and drowsiness, carry food supplements with melatonin in your medicine cabinet, a hormone that regulates body rhythms and helps reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

· Usual medication.

One of the worst mishaps that can happen to us on a trip is, in the event of suffering from a chronic illness, running out of the drugs we need daily and without the possibility of accessing a pharmacy or hospital. For example, if you suffer from diabetes, asthma, or hypothyroidism, you must take enough doses to cover your needs during all the days that you are going to be away from home.