What’s in Girlo’s Medical Kit?

What’s in Girlo’s Medical Kit?

It’s always the pharmacy stuff that takes up the most space in a bag when you travel.  And often a lot of it doesn’t get used, but this stuff is critical. It may seem like extra weight / gear to carry around, however when you really need it, having the products you need is a God-send. In a health crisis clothes aren’t so important.  You can always make do.

But here are a few must-have items for your medical kit.

• Mosquito repellant: Approaching sunset in mosquito-prone climates and areas (especially where malaria is a known problem), this stuff, whether as a roll-on or spray is a must! Unfortunately DEET is something pretty toxic, however if you are truly in a malaria zone (or Dengue Fever zone, where there are reports of or known active cases local to where you are), you really must use a repellant containing DEET on any exposed areas of skin. The best advice for anyone is after the sun goes down, so do your sleeves! Add to this: the shoes and socks go on and so do the long pants. Covering up is always preferable, but sometimes the mozzies can penetrate cotton, so if in doubt wear thicker fabrics and the repellant as well.
• Plenty of tampons: Sometimes these are not available in remote locations (thick sanitary pads are no fun when you’re trekking). Bring spares.
• Panty-liners: These are great for a long day of traveling and in conditions when you will be without a shower for a time.  Think: overnight train trips, car rides through desert regions.
• Wet wipes (Baby wipes): For face, hands and general hygiene while you’re on the road.
• Antibacterial handy wipes: My absolute essential for hands, especially before eating anything. I bring packets of these with me everywhere.
• Tea tree oil: The natural antiseptic for cuts and small grazes.
• Arnica: The remedy for bruises, sprains and muscle aches.  Use the cream plus the homeopathic tablets that go under the tongue as a fast-track method to reduce swelling and pain from bruising injuries.  Apply as soon as possible after injury for best results.
• Echinacea: Immune system drops; just 15 to 20 drops in juice or bottled water three times a day at the onset of cold or flu will do the trick.  Do this for 3 to 4 days or until symptoms fade.
• A Multi-vitamin, always good to support the immune system when you travel.
• Vitamin C. A great anti-oxidant, it can assist you with fighting bacterial infections and is also surprisingly good healer if you have a back injury.
• Gastrolyte powder: For tummy upsets.  Great for replacing electrolytes and re-hydrating your system if you get Delhi Belly … or Beirut Belly for that matter!  Add to bottled water and drink 2 to 3 times daily. You can get these in berry flavored water-soluble tablets which are easy to pop into your water bottle.
• Berocca. Vitamin B has been said to combat many things, especially if you’re a mozzie magnet! It’s also good after, ahem, a big night out.
• Cotton buds: Useful for general personal and medical care.
• Bandaids – all types, for all purposes.
• Sunscreen: This is really something you must never be without.  Go for SPF 30+ and a water-resistant gel-style sunscreen (the creamy ones can be a bit pore-clogging).
• Lip moisturizer + SPF15 is always a good idea as well.
• Rosehip oil: A great healer and also a very light and excellent moisturizer.
• A broad spectrum antibiotic is good to have on hand. Get a prescription filled before you leave. Remember: these are for bacterial infections, they won’t help if you have a virus.
• Nurofen or Panadol. For any headaches and general fever or sprains etc.
• Ventolin – bring spare inhalers if you have asthma.
• Last but not least: Rescue Remedy – the drops are a homeopathic calming and reduces anxiety or stress and the newest hottest travel accessory: Rescue Remedy Pastilles. Perfect for that tense landing or turbulence.

Don’t speculate, vaccinate!

You should always check a few months in advance what vaccinations and medical precautions are necessary for the countries you are entering before you travel.  In addition, you should keep your immunization certificate in your passport hold-all, sometimes customs ask to see these, and also you will then be more conscious of when you need to update your immunity. 

Some vaccines are for life (Hepatitis B) but some (like Tetanus) should be renewed every ten years to be effective: possibly more frequently if you’re in contact with animals or building things in remote areas (rusty nails and old building supplies can cause infection which can be life threatening).  Typhoid and cholera can be necessary for many destinations. Malaria tablets can also be taken as a precaution.

Check with a doctor before you leave and be a pincushion for a short time … it may save your life. And you’ll get a lollipop.

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