The following article was written in partnership with HoneyKids.
Family vacations are loads of fun!
Until someone falls ill or gets hurt, that is.
While we can take all the necessary precautions to prevent boo-boos from happening, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. You may catch a stomach bug, or your little travel buddy may scrape his or her knee – hence it’s best to be prepared with a trusty travel medical kit, so these minor incidents don’t put a damper on your vacay. Here’s a list of everything you need to have in your kit.
1. A basic first aid kit
No matter how light you’re planning on packing, a basic first aid kit is a must-have. And it doesn’t even need to be bulky – you can easily find cabin baggage size-friendly first aid kits online and in stores. HealthHub recommends that all first aid kits contain bandages, adhesive tapes, alcohol swabs, safety pins, burn ointment, antiseptic cream, eye wash solution, sodium chloride, gauze, scissors, tweezers, and a pair of latex gloves.
2. Antibacterial wipes
While first aid kits do come with alcohol swabs, it’s always a good idea to carry some antibacterial wipes with you just in case you run out. These wipes kill bacteria, so it’s great for sanitising your tools and hands if you need to attend to a wound.
3. Painkillers
Headaches, stomach aches, and fever can be a real pain, literally. This is especially so when you’re travelling and have no immediate access to a doctor. Here’s where painkillers like paracetamol will come in handy. Be sure to check with your paediatrician about the types of painkillers that are suitable for children beforehand!
4. Anti-diarrhoea medication
Having diarrhoea during a trip can be really inconvenient – so consider packing some anti-diarrhoea medication and oral rehydration salts for kids. You can get these over the counter at any pharmacy or speak to your family doctor to get a prescribed one that’s suitable for yourself and the little ones. Do note that anti-diarrhoea medication does not treat the cause of diarrhoea, but it may help with reducing the discomfort caused by it until you manage to get to a clinic.
5. Aloe vera gel
This is probably one of the most versatile natural products, and that’s why we’ve included it in our travel medical kit! Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties, which will be useful to soothe sunburns, minor burns and cuts, as well as rashes on irritated skin.
6. Vitamin C
Travelling can sometimes be stressful on the body, especially when you’re crossing time zones (ugh, jetlag). You can pack some vitamin C supplements to give your immune system a little boost during the trip. Do bring along some effervescent tablets or chewables for the little ones, too!
7. Antihistamines
If you already have a go-to antihistamine in your medicine cabinet, it’s a good idea to bring it along on your trip. Antihistamines are useful when you’ve got an irritated throat, runny nose, and any allergic reactions. However, if you’re looking for one for your young child, it’s best to speak to your paediatrician so they can prescribe a suitable one.
Pro tip: Book an appointment with your paediatrician before your big family vacay
Regardless of whether your kid is feeling ill or not, there’s no harm in visiting your paediatrician to get some expert advice four to six weeks before your family trip. StarMed Specialist Centre has a dedicated paediatric service that’s led by an experienced and caring doctor who can do just that! She’ll be more than happy to answer all your burning questions about suitable medications you can take along for your child, as well as the recommended travel vaccines* (Influenza, Hepatitis A, etc.) for them to take, depending on your holiday destination.
Book an appointment to visit StarMed’s paediatrician today!
*Vaccinations for children who are Singapore citizens are covered under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule. You may find out more here.