Don’t let minor accidents stop your fun while you’re away
Whether you pick up an illness abroad or slip or trip while out and about, a first aid kit can help you manage injuries and stay healthy. Need help creating yours? Find out which items you’ll need to include for a comprehensive first aid kit.
Reviewed by: Connie Whewall
Published: June 2025
Next review: June 2028
Taking medication and medical equipment with you on holiday can help you manage minor illnesses like vomiting and diarrhoea. You can also treat injuries such as cuts, scrapes and minor burns with the right tools.1
Your first aid kit needs to be personalised to your trip. This means that you’ll need to understand what kind of risks you might be facing when you travel.1
For example, you may want to consider carrying extra plasters or bandages if you are going to be doing a lot of activities while you’re away. You may want to pack more rehydration sachets or after sun lotion or cream if you are planning a beach holiday.
When packing your first aid kit for your trip, you should consider:
- How long you will be away
- What current medical conditions you have
- The location – you may need different supplies for a city break when compared to a more adventurous trip
- Your distance from healthcare support like pharmacists or doctors.1
A travel first-aid kit doesn’t have to be bulky, but it should have enough in it to help you deal with minor injuries like cuts, bumps and bites.
Essential items for your first-aid kit include:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
|
Disposable medical gloves |
Wear when treating open wounds (injuries where your skin is cut or damaged). |
| A range of plasters |
Plasters in different shapes and sizes can help cover cuts or broken skin. |
| Dressing and tape | Dressings are sterile materials like cotton that can absorb fluid, protect wounds and promote healing. They can be used for cuts or grazes that can’t be covered by a plaster. Some dressings will need to be taped to your skin. |
| Bandages and a sling | If you have pulled or sprained a muscle a bandage can provide support. |
| Steri-strips | These are sterile strips that can help pull wounds together. |
| Antiseptic wipes | These are sterile wipes that can be used to clean a wound to stop infection. |
| Saline sachets | Saline (salt and water) is sterile liquid that can be used to wash out wounds. |
| Allergy cream | Creams can contain a steroid called hydrocortisone that can be applied to your skin and used to treat bites, stings and skin irritations. However, not all of these creams contain steroids, but can offer you relief. |
| Thermometers | A thermometer can be used to check your temperature. This can be important if you suspect that you or a person you’re travelling with has a fever. |
| First-aid scissors and tweezers | Tweezers can be used to help remove stings or splinters. Scissors can be used for cutting dressings to size.1 |
You may also want to pack some additional items that can help treat illnesses like:
- Paracetamol to manage pain, swelling and inflammation
- Antihistamine tablets to treat allergic reactions to dust, pollen, skin irritants and food allergies
- Travel sickness tablets to treat nausea (sickness) and vomiting.
- Rehydration sachets for treating dehydration due to heat exhaustion, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Insect repellent containing ingredients like DEET to help avoid insect-borne illnesses.1,2
If you are unable to build your first-aid kit, you can buy ready-made kits at your local supermarket or pharmacy.
If you decide to include any medication like painkillers in your first-aid kit, you should speak to your pharmacist or GP first. They can advise on the best approach for managing common illness related to travel and help you find medications that are right for your needs.
If you are travelling to a remote area where there is limited access to clean water as well as medical care, there may be additional items you need to pack. These items will depend on where you are travelling, so it is best to get advice from your GP before you set off.
Some additional items you may need to have with you include:
- Water purification tablets and water filters. Some water may not be safe to drink. Water purification tablets can remove bacteria and parasites from the source of drinking water you intend to use. Boiling water for 1 minute and filtering it can also make it safe to drink.3
- Antimalarial tablets. These tablets help stop malaria and should only be taken in high-risk areas. Your doctor or local travel clinic can advise you on whether you need to take antimalarials in your chosen destination.4
If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition or hidden disability, it’s important to talk to your GP or any other healthcare provider you usually interact with about the equipment, medication, or tools you may need to take with you.
Some of your medical equipment and resources may be carried in your hand luggage, but if you are travelling abroad, you may need to let the airline and airports you’re travelling through know about them before you leave.
People who live with hidden disabilities or invisible illnesses like epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, or dementia can get a Hidden Disabilities lanyard or card. Their sunflower design is internationally recognised as a symbol used to identify people who have disabilities and illnesses that are not immediately obvious.
Over 300 international airports are part of the scheme. Rail, coach, bus, and ferry services across the world are also part of the network of businesses and companies that recognise the Hidden Disabilities sunflower and offer support to people who need it.
Asking your GP for a letter to outline any conditions you live with as well as any medications you take can help if you are travelling through airports or train stations. You can show your letter to any relevant authorities so that they can support you as you travel.
Heading abroad? Book your travel vaccinations before you leave.
Booked your tickets and accommodation for your next holiday? Now it’s time to get the necessary vaccinations for your destination.
Yellow fever, malaria and more. We offer a range of travel vaccinations that can help you stay safe while you travel. With stores nationwide, your nearest Well Pharmacy isn’t too far away.
- Team HTH. First Aid - Fit for Travel. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/first-aid
- Team HTH. Insect Bite Avoidance - Fit for Travel. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/insect-bite-avoidance#Insect
- Team HTH. Water Purification - Fit for Travel. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/water-purification
- Team HTH. Malaria - Fit for Travel. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria#chemoprophylaxis