12 Must-Have Essentials Health Experts Pack on Vacation

2024-08-16 21:24:21

Later this month children across the country will break up for the summer – and with that, many families will
set off on holiday
. But what essential items should you never travel without?

Here
Dr Helen Wall
, a GP partner from the Oaks Family Practice in Bolton, and nurse Emma Hammett, the chief executive of
First Aid for Life
, explain what they pack in their suitcases to keep themselves and their families safe while they’re away from home.

Always check before travelling if you are prevented from carrying any specific medications or prescription drugs into the country you are visiting.

1. Repellent

Avon So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (150ml), various retailers, from £5.99

While this isn’t directly marketed as
an insect repellent
, it contains citronella, which comes from the leaves and stems of lemongrass and is an effective insect repellent. “I love using this because it doesn’t smell horrid and it works,” says Hammett. “I haven’t found anyone who’s allergic to it and it always works well when I’m away in Europe or at home in the UK – and I do get bitten a lot without using anything.”

However, Hammett warns that if you are travelling to malaria-prone countries then don’t rely on this product. “It didn’t work so well when I was nursing in Africa for five weeks earlier this year. When you’re travelling to malaria-prone countries then you need a more aggressive insect repellent containing DEET. But I don’t like putting DEET on my skin unless there’s a risk of malaria, as it’s a strong chemical.

“I also found using Lifesystems EX4 Anti-Mosquito Spray (from £8.99) really effective while I was in Africa –
you spray it
on the clothes you’re taking – ideally light, long-sleeved clothing with high collars, and big hats – and it lasts for six washes.’

2. Painkillers

“The first thing I always make sure I’ve
packed is painkillers
because they can vary abroad, depending on where you go, in terms of what’s available over the counter,” explains Dr Wall. “If you take painkillers with you then you tend to know what you can have, and what you can’t, and what interactions with other medications they might have.

“I always take ibuprofen and paracetamol – just buy the cheap own brands because they are the same but less expensive than big brands. When my children were little I would have also taken liquid Calpol (from £3.99), but now they are able to take painkillers in tablet form. You just don’t know when young children might have a problem so it’s important to take an appropriate form of pain relief for them.”

3. Rehydration sachets

Dioralyte, various retailers, from £3.99

“A lot of GPs take these
oral rehydration
sachets on holiday because you can get quite dehydrated abroad,” says Dr Wall. Dioralyte works by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, that are essential for maintaining the body’s fluid balance.

“People aren’t always very good at managing their hydration levels and tend to wait until they feel thirsty before having a drink, but by that time you’re already mildly dehydrated,” she says. “If you’re on holiday and you’ve been drinking alcohol or you’ve been out in the sun too long, or you get diarrhoea, then replacing electrolytes with a rehydration sachet can be helpful.”

4. Antihistamines (fexofenadine)

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“I always travel with strong
antihistamines tablets
, under the generic name fexofenadine, which used to be prescription only but now you can buy it over the counter,” says Hammett. “You can buy branded versions too, but they will be more expensive. If you’re bitten, they can reduce the severity of the bite, and you also don’t know what you’ll be exposed to when you’re away so if you have a mild allergic reaction then you can stop it quite quickly.

“And don’t forget that if you’re taking antihistamines, avoid alcohol because it contains histamines and will make them less effective. If I was travelling with young children (my children are grown up now), I would take a paediatric antihistamine such as Piriton Children’s Allergy Syrup (from £4.99).”

5. Bite creams

Hydrocortisone cream (1%) – any brand

“As well as a generic antihistamine cream, I also take a hydrocortisone cream and apply both types of creams to bites and stings,” says Hammett. “The hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory, so it takes the inflammation (pain, heat, redness and swelling) down, while the antihistamines reduce the severity of the reaction.

“I also find it helpful to take an instant ice pack which contains granules which react and freeze when you crush them – it soothes the bite by putting something cool on it, but wrap it in a tea towel first.”

6. Antacids

Rennie antacids (pack of 24), various retailers, from £3

“Often our diet changes on holiday and we might
drink more alcohol
than when we’re at home, so you’re more at risk of getting heartburn and indigestion and you don’t want to be up all night with that if you can take something that will quickly get rid of it,” says Dr Wall.

“You can use any generic versions of this too.” Antacids contain alkaline substances such as calcium or magnesium salts, which react with stomach acid to neutralise it, relieving symptoms.

7. Plasters

Steroplast (pack of 25),
www.steroplast.co.uk
, £17.10

“Generally, plasters are not great in hot weather, especially if you’re going swimming, because the cut will go soggy,” says Hammett. “A proper breathable dressing is preferable, so I take some good quality dressings that you can swim and shower in too, because it has a strong seal around the edge. I use ones that are used in hospitals and can be put on an operating site (in that case they cut through it) but it provides a sterile environment, and they are clear plastic so you can see what the wound is doing. They offer a better wound healing environment than standard plasters. I’d use a wound cleaning wipe first, and then put one of these on.’

8. Antiseptic cream

Germolene antiseptic cream (30g), various retailers from £1.99

“I find it useful to take an antiseptic cream such as Germolene on holiday because when you’re away you’re more cautious about trying to stop wounds and scrapes being infected,” says Dr Hall. “You don’t want to have to find medical attention abroad if you can prevent it.

“[The creams] lower the bacterial load, which reduces the chance of a wound becoming infected. You can also use it on a blistered sunburn or bites, which will stop them progressing into an infection.”

9. Diarrhea medication

Imodium (pack of six), various retailers from £3.45

“I always pack some Imodium if I’m
going on holiday
, although if you have a stomach bug then just letting it go through you is always the best course of action,” says Hammett. “You only take Imodium if you’re doing something special, or if you have to travel or just get going somewhere.

“It’s important to see your doctor if you’re still having issues, such as feeling dehydrated, too sick to drink fluids or if you notice your urine is darker, three or four days after getting back. Some people are more sensitive to changes to their diet than others and might find that it can affect their tummy, but that should resolve itself soon after getting home.”

10. Travel sickness tablets

Kwells kids travel sickness tablets (pack of 12), various retailers, from £2.95

“I’ve got one child who gets really travel sick, so I like using Kwells for that,” says Dr Hall. “If we’re going down to Cornwall or somewhere else involving a long car journey, we take them with us, and they need to be taken 20 to 30 minutes before the journey. They are helpful in stopping travel sickness which can be quite debilitating and upsetting for the child.”

11. Tweezers

Tweezerman slanted tweezers, various retailers, from £14

“Depending on where I’m going, I’d take a good pair of slanted tweezers such as Tweezerman tweezers, or a tick remover, although tweezers can also be useful for removing sea urchin spikes as well as ticks,” says Emma Hammett. “My daughter had a lot of ticks on her legs in the New Forest recently, and I got them out with tweezers. But you have to make sure you get the whole tick out as quickly as you can, and don’t leave the head in.”

Infected ticks can spread Lyme disease, which can spread around the body if left untreated. If you have any symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache and skin rash, see a doctor straightaway for treatment with antibiotics. “Ticks are most prevalent in grassland and woodland, and anywhere where bigger animals such as deer and horses are present, both in the UK and abroad. You can’t always feel ticks so you need to check all over your body and look for tiny black specs which, when you look closer, have legs.”

12.

Water bottle

Water to Go bottle, Amazon, £24.99

“It’s important to drink plenty of water when you’re away, especially if you’re somewhere hot, and to ensure that the water is safe to drink,” advises Hammett. “If it isn’t then check that any bottles of water have sealed caps and haven’t been refilled. If I’m travelling to a more remote country, I take a water bottle with a filter in them – I like the Water to Go bottles. You usually have to prime the filter first, and then you can potentially use tap water if you have to as it gives you an extra layer of purification. Make sure you replace the filter after each trip.”