Compiled by Lisa T. Bergren

First aid kits can vary widely. We’ve traveled with bare essentials like a few Band-Aids and Tylenol and Advil, and with full kits. One of our friends consulted a local street-side pharmacy in Italy when she had some sort of eye infection, and they gave her anti-biotic eye drops across the counter. They burned—but they cleared up her issue! From what we hear, this is pretty common in some countries—pharmacists who not only diagnose, but deliver too. And we’ve taken a kiddo to a tiny clinic in the West Indies when she awakened with an ear infection; the question is, are you willing to do the same? That will help you decide on how much to pack in your medicine bag.

Which Kit is Right for You?

In considering how big a First Aid Kit to pack, consider your needs, your family’s needs, common things you reach for at home, unique medical needs, where you’re going (ex. lots of mosquitoes? lots of hiking/potential for cuts?) and how much you want to carry. Also decide how comfortable you’ll be reaching out to the local medical community for help and how disappointed you’ll be to spend time on such a venture instead of doing something else. (The upside of seeking local care? You get a little dose of local culture that most tourists don’t experience!) With these things in mind, here’s a list of things to consider packing:

Precautionary Prescriptions

(Talk to your family practitioner about where you’re traveling to, what he/she would advise and prescribe, symptoms that would warrant using—write down what they say!—and proper dosage for everyone in family. Be aware that some doctors will not feel comfortable prescribing to you and may require travel documents, etc. Call ahead to talk with the office manager and find out how receptive they might be before you go in.)

• Broad spectrum antibiotic—for adult (Ex. amoxicillin or zithromax)
• Broad spectrum antibiotic—for child
• Antibiotic for bacterial diarrhea or severe infection—for adult (ex. ciprofloxacin)
• Antibiotic for bacterial diarrhea or severe infection—for child
• Antibiotic for amoebic dysentery—for adult (ex. tinidazole)
• Antibiotic for amoebic dystentery—for child
• Antibiotic eye drops
• Antimalarial—for adult (ex. Malarone)
• Antimalarial—for child

Medicine

• Regular prescribed medicines you take, plus 50% more
• Extra inhaler for those with asthma
• Cold and cough remedy medicine—for adults
• Cold and cough remedy medicine—for children
• Allergy medicine—for adults
• Allergy medicine—for children
• Heartburn and stomach upset remedies (Pepto-Bismol is a good broad-spectrum remedy)
• Antacids
• Over-the counter anti-diarrhea medicine—for adults
• Over-the counter anti-diarrhea medicine—for children
• Lacto Bacillus (a nice tip we’ve heard: have everyone in the family begin eating yogurt with Lacto Bacillus in it every day for 2 weeks before you go—it builds it up in your system naturally)
• Ibuprofen
• Tylenol
• Over-the-counter ear infection/pain relief drops
• Antihistamine (Ex. Benadryl)
• EpiPen—for adults with severe allergies
• EpiPen—for children with severe allergies or for those who have never been stung by a bee or experimented with all foods that might cause an allergic reaction (talk to your pediatrician)

First Aid

• Hand sanitizer—also good for all to carry in fanny packs and use frequently to avoid picking up local bugs/germs
• Band-Aids of various sizes
• Antiseptic swabs/wipes
• Steri-strips
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Moleskin for blisters
• Antibacterial spray
• Burn gel
• Burn dressings
• Antifungal cream/gel (ex. Lotrimin)
• Lip balm
• Insect repellant (30-50% Deet)
• Insecticide
• Insect bite treatment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Sunblock
• Oral-rehydration tablets
• Thermometer
• Motion sickness tablets or patches
• Sunscreen
• Sunburn cream
• Saline nasal spray
• Diaper rash cream
• Vitamin C for first sign of colds

What would YOU never leave home without? Anything to add to the list? Please comment below!