Holiday Health Kit: Pack Everything You Need for a Safe and Healthy Vacation

Credit: Flickr/Darraghkelly

Essential health items for your vacation include more than just sunscreen

Before leaving for your holiday, be sure you’ve got what you need to protect your health

First, check into any vaccinations required for your intended destination, and make sure you pack an adequate supply of your prescription and OTC medications. Keep these, along with your travel documents, in a carry-on bag so they’re always close at hand.

Your holiday health kit should also include:


• Sunscreen: Choose a high SPF  and use it often
• Aloe vera/calamine lotion: To ease your discomfort should you get too much sun
• Motion sickness medication: Gravol
• Painkillers: Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Insect repellent
• Antihistamine and After-Bite stick: These can help ease the itching and site pain of an insect bite
• Anti-diarrheal medication: While it won’t cure the problem, anti-diarrheal medications will ease your discomfort and help prevent dehydration
• Antacid tablets: Familiar foods can sometimes cause stomach upset

Also always carry a compact First Aid kit that includes:


• Band-Aids
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic cream
• A thermometer
• Disposable gloves
• Tweezers, scissors and other basic supplies
• Condoms 

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.