What to put in your family holiday first aid kit
Being on holiday with children provides a whole new opportunity for various bumps, cuts and scrapes to occur. When bringing the whole family abroad it is a good idea to have a fully stocked first aid kit with you that will allow you to tackle most situations. Not only will it give you peace of mind, but having a properly stocked first aid kit can help make sure your family is healthy and well, and can get straight back to having fun.
Plasters
Plasters should be a staple of any first aid kit. A majority of injuries people deal with abroad are minor cuts or scratches, and plasters are the perfect tool for covering them and allowing them to heal. There are various types available, including hypoallergenic, if your family have sensitive skin or allergies, or waterproof plasters, which are a good idea as it means you won't have to worry so much when the children go swimming. Make sure to pack a good number of these, particularly if your kids are accident prone - you never know how many you could end up using!
Dressings
For injuries a little more demanding you may need to have some dressings ready. Dressings can be used for a number of purposes, such as covering burns or wounds, cutting off excess fluids or as a makeshift sling. For some injuries that require dressings it may be best to get them checked out by a doctor or medical professional, but dressings can be invaluable in assisting healing in the short term.
Eye wash
Eyewash is a beneficial thing to have in your first aid kit. If you get anything irritating in your eye, such as suntan lotion, seawater or chemicals, wash it out with eyewash immediately and don't leave it to sit in your eyes for too long. If irritation persists then seek further medical attention, but eyewash should be able to remedy a lot of the pain that can come from getting something unwanted in your eye.
Antiseptic lotion
Antiseptic lotion can be used in conjunction with plasters to treat any wound or cut that you or your family suffer on holiday. The outdoors often houses bacteria and viruses our bodies may not be used to, so by using antiseptic lotion it will help you keep the wound clean and make sure it doesn't get infected.
Antihistamines
If you have any allergies or hayfever then make sure you pack some antihistamines in your first aid kit. You may not always know all of some food's ingredients when you are dining on holiday, so it is best to be prepared just in case. There may also be the situation where your body reacts to something something that it has never come into contact with before, and antihistamines are also beneficial when it comes to dealing with reactions to insect bites and stings.
Latex gloves
Latex gloves are incredibly handy (sorry) for making sure that, in the unlikely event that you are interacting with any hazardous materials or bodily fluids, you are protected from dangerous germs and bacteria. They can also prevent any bacteria on your hands from transferring to a wound if you are helping to dress it.
Tweezers
Good for splinters or getting any thorns or animal stings out from the skin, a pair of tweezers is often a great thing to bring along in a first aid kit, just incase you need them.
Travel sickness pills
Travel sickness can be really unpleasant, and people who suffer from it may be greatly affected by traveling long distances. Make sure you have some travel sickness pills to prevent and curb any afflictions and make traveling easier for your whole family.
Paracetamol or other pain relief
When it comes to general pain relief, paracetamol or equivalent should be included in your first aid kit. If you have younger children then make sure it is acceptable for child consumption, or stock up on a child-friendly alternative like Calpol. Pain relief medication can also be useful when you are dealing with the unfortunate fallout of jet lag.
Insect repellent
If you are visiting a country with a hot climate or sleeping in an open environment, bring some insect repellent to help keep the local bug population at bay. There are a wide variety on the market and in many different varieties, but it can be best to speak to a health professional about their recommendations depending on the country or area you are visiting.
Diarrhoea pills/ rehydration pills
Unfortunately diarrhoea can be an issue on some holidays, depending on where you are visiting. Following travel recommendations on drinking local water and common things to be aware of can make it easier to avoid, but it is always better to be prepared. Having anti- diarrhoea pills can help relieve the symptoms of diarrhoea, but many should not be given to children. Rehydration pills are a good way of reversing the toll that diarrhoea or vomiting can take on the body, and are another great inclusion in a travel first aid kit.
Whilst this list includes a lot of the more common and effective means of treating difficult situations you may experience on holiday, you should speak to a medical professional if you have any specific medical requirements or queries. Your first aid kit won't be able to give you all the help that a doctor can provide, and they should always be your first port of call if you are worried. What it will provide you with is some much needed peace of mind, and it can help you deal with a lot of the more common injuries, illnesses and accidents your family could experience whilst travelling. Better preparation means less stress, and more time enjoying your adventures with your family.
