Stop Press: First-Aid Kit from Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com

Stop Press: First-Aid Kit

by Brook Wilkinson | Published November 2003 | See more Condé Nast Traveler articles ›

When you travel, be prepared for any ailment you'd likely suffer from at home

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 10 million international travelers suffer from diarrhea each year, while only 709 Americans brought back a case of malaria in 2001. With this in mind, pack a first-aid kit whose main ingredients come straight from your home medicine cabinet—your most reliable painkillers and cold remedies, as well as supplies of prescription medications and contact lenses and a list of any medical conditions that a doctor treating you would need to know about. Here are some other items to include:

Imodium A-D, Pepto-Bismol, antacids, and laxatives For digestive ailments.

An oral rehydration solution such as CeraLyte Probably easier to find at a pharmacy abroad, this powder will help you bounce back from Montezuma's revenge.

Water purification tablets Treat questionable water to prevent stomach bugs.

An all-purpose antibiotic such as Ciprofloxacin To treat infectious diarrhea and respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections.

Bug spray with 30 percent deet For use in tropical destinations where yellow fever, dengue, and Rift Valley fever are risks. For areas where malaria is present, you should also bring an antimalarial medication such as Malarone.

Antihistamine and epinephrine For allergies.

Topical tooth pain reliever, such as Orajel To dull the pain until you find a local dentist (or, in a developing country, until you can get home).

Dramamine For motion sickness.

Acetazolamide Prescription medication to prevent altitude sickness.

Hypodermic syringes Many developing countries reuse needles. To avoid security problems, pack them in a clearly labeled first-aid kit in your checked luggage, and include a note from your physician.

Waterless soap or premoistened towelettes For cleaning hands or wounds without water.

Bandages, tape, gauze, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone, and moleskin To treat minor scrapes and blisters.

Thermometer For judging an illness's severity.

Pocketknife, nail clipper Handy for removing splinters and such; transport any knives in checked luggage.

International Certificate of Vaccination Required for entry into certain countries.

Sunscreen Always necessary.

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