Overview

• Statistics show one in eight holidaymakers falls ill abroad and nearly half fear a medical emergency when travelling
• A compact first aid kit should include plasters, antiseptic wipes, antihistamines, painkillers, anti-diarrhoeal tablets, travel sickness remedies and hydrocortisone cream
• To avoid food poisoning and traveller’s diarrhoea, use bottled or filtered water, skip ice cubes, peel fruit yourself and avoid salads washed in local water
• Motion sickness can be prevented with antihistamines like cinnarizine or hyoscine patches, natural remedies such as ginger capsules or acupressure wristbands and facing forwards in vehicles
• Travellers with chronic conditions should consult a GP or pharmacist two to four weeks before departure, carry an EHIC or GHIC card and keep temperature-sensitive medications below 25 °C in a cool carry-on pouch