Summer is already here and for most, the preparations for the expected holidays have already begun. Suitcases are filled with the necessary swimsuits, light clothes, and of course... uplifting mood! Indeed, you arrive at your destination with high expectations for carefree holidays and joyful moments by the sea. Until the moment when an unforeseen situation can overturn joy and turn it into pain!
The most likely contingencies you may encounter are bites from various insects or jellyfish, minor injuries, stomach upset, eye or ear infections, or sunstroke. And it is likely since you are exposed to nature. So, before leaving for the coveted days of rest, it is advisable to build a complete pharmacy kit that will cover the needs and activities of the whole family and ensure your unbridled joy and fun!
With your pharmacist’s help and the following list, you will organize a full-fledged pharmacy kit that will accompany your vacation.
What should be included in the holiday pharmacy kit
- Thermometer
- Sterile syringe
- Disposable rubber gloves
- Scissors
- Medical forceps or eyebrow tweezers (to remove thorns, insect stings, pins, etc.)
- Cotton
- Gauze of different sizes
- Adhesive patches (simple, waterproof, hemostatic)
- Self-adhesive "stitches"
- Triangular bandage
- Elastic bandages (for temporary fixation in cases of sprains or fractures and for covering wounds over gauze)
- Aqua soft peroxide
- Iodine
- Antiseptic solution
- Saline in ampoules (useful for rinsing wounds or eyes)
- Antibiotic eye drops (tobramycin) or a combination of antibiotic and cortisone
- Cream or foam spray for light solar and thermal burns
- Insect repellent spray
- Ammonia for insect bites
- Cortisone ointment or cream
- Antihistamines
- - Gel for simple cases of skin irritation from insect bites, contact with jellyfish, etc.
- - Pills for more severe hypersensitivity reactions
- Analgesic / antipyretic drugs and simple anti-inflammatories
- Antacids
- Medicines against nausea
- Antiemetics
- Antidiarrheals
- Electrolytes to quickly replenish fluids in cases of dehydration due to prolonged exposure to the sun, or after vomiting and diarrhea
- Some antibiotic medicine
- If you suffer from allergies and are at risk of allergic shock, an injection of adrenaline in the form of a pen
- Adequate amounts of the medicines you take for any chronic diseases
- Several self – tests detecting the COVID-19 virus, to be applied in case of suspicious symptoms, surgical masks and antiseptics
Useful tips to organize and carry the pharmacy kit
Generally, all medicines need to be stored in special conditions and in an environment where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees Celsius. This means that you should not leave medicines exposed to the sun and heat, in the car or the sea. On the contrary, you must pay particular attention to the transport and storage of pharmaceutical formulations, so as not to alter their composition.
Medicines that need to be refrigerated should be carried within an ice pack bag and refrigerated when you arrive at your destination. If you need your remedies at the sea, be sure to place them in a shady place along with ice packs. Finally, make sure that the pharmacy kit is not accessible to young children.
Get a small suitcase to store the medicines and record on paper the contents of the pharmacy kit, and any useful information you need about the dosages or their use. Check the expiration dates of medicines and replace those that have expired.
Also, it is advisable, prior to your trip, to carry out any vaccinations necessary i.e., for tetanus.
Do not forget that you should avoid heavy exposure to heat and sun, and constantly use – in addition to sunscreen products for the face and body-comfortable cotton clothes and hats. Especially children, the elderly, or people with chronic diseases should be protected as much as possible.
Finally, parents should remember to carry their children's health books with them.
We wish you a happy and cloudless summer!
