Pharmacist reveals everything you must pack in your holiday first aid kit

When it comes to packing for vacation, flip flops, swimsuits and sunglasses might be high on your list, but packing a few essentials in a vacation first aid kit will keep you well-deserved in your fun save time and money in the sun.

Adrian Price, superintendent pharmacist at Tesco, says packing some things from home can mean bites, scrapes and stomach upsets are resolved quickly, rather than getting worse and requiring intervention.

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He said: “The perfect holiday first aid kit will most likely contain the things you have at home anyway.

“You just have to think about what might come your way and make sure you pack it.”

“On mainland Europe, pharmacies and pharmacies are often marked with the green cross. However, if you are traveling or staying in a hotel and need help at the pharmacy, contact your operator or the front desk so they can assist.”

Here Adrian reveals what to pack to make your vacation a relaxing experience…

suncream

Many of us go on vacation and end up with burned skin or worse, sunburn from spending all day at the pool or beach.

You need sunscreen or sun spray with at least SPF 30 as we know it blocks harmful UVB rays.

It should be applied every hour or two, more often when you are in and out of the water and drying off in between.

Also, opt for a spray for easier application.

TESCO SOLEIL MOISTURIZING SUNSCREEN SPRAY SPF50 200ML £3.60

After sun

Many of us think about sunscreen, but not many people hydrate after a day in the sun as it can be naturally drying.

Apply once after a shower and the aloe vera ingredient will soothe and cool the skin.

TESCO SOLEIL After Sun soothing and moisturizing spray with aloe vera, 200ml, £3.00

Insect repellent

Not many people in the UK use it, but using an insect repellent is better than dealing with a painful bite.

Use as needed and follow the directions on the bottle.

If you’re on a city break or out all day, it might be worth doing the job in the morning so you don’t have to take it with you.

Even if you don’t react to bites at home, there’s a risk you won’t when you’re away, and nobody needs itchy bites to keep them awake on vacation.

TESCO EXTRA STRONG INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY 125ml £4.20

Bite and Sting Cream

If the worst happens and you get bitten by a bug or insect, or you manage to find a nettle while you’re away, the hydrocortisone it contains will soothe inflamed and infected skin.

If it is a jellyfish sting I would recommend visiting a local pharmacy as they are more knowledgeable about occurrences in local waters.

TESCO BITE & STING HYDROCORTISON CREAM 1% 10G £2.60

anti-histamine

If you normally take an antihistamine every day at home, there’s no reason to stop taking it on vacation.

Even if you suffer from hay fever at certain times of the year, it may be worth bringing hay fever with you, as pollen and grasses can be strong in other countries at different times of the year.

TESCO HAY FEVER & ALLERGY 30 TBL £2.90

blister plaster

Many people buy new sandals or sneakers while on vacation, only to find that their city trip or stroll to the local market is restricted because their new shoes hurt.

Regular plasters can help with blisters, but blister plasters have a slightly different composition. So if you plan on walking a lot, it’s worth taking some with you.

TESCO STERILE BLISTERS 5 PACK £3.00

paracetamol

No discerning vacationer leaves without it.

Paracetamol helps with a variety of issues, from a headache due to dehydration to having a few too many beers the night before.

It also helps with minor pain from sunburn, as well as sore bites.

PARACETAMOL TABLETS 500MG 16 PACK £0.39

Paracetamol for children

If you are traveling with small children, be sure to take them with you.

Perfect for mild fevers, headaches and general aches. When you’re out and about traveling, it’s worth taking bags with you rather than a bottle that could get crushed in transit.

CALPOL INFANT S/FREE 100ML £3.30

Sterile dressings

This might seem a step too far, but if you’ve sunburned yourself or injured your foot on jagged rocks or glass, a sterile bandage is bigger than a band-aid and means you can apply it and know you’re probably no will get an infection.

They are cheap, light and, in the worst case, save you the trip to the pharmacy or the reception.

TESCO HEALTH STERILE SHEET LARGE PACK OF 5 £1.50

hand gel

Whether you’re traveling by air, train or boat, due to the large number of people traveling at the same time, it’s very easy to catch germs and bugs while passing through.

We have become accustomed to using hand gels during the pandemic. So take some with you when you travel to limit your exposure to germs.

TESCO HEALTH + ANTIBACTERIAL HAND GEL 50ml £0.95

Capsules to relieve diarrhea

If you’ve had a mild stomach upset while you’ve been away, the last thing you need to worry about is the drive home and having to go to the bathroom. This prevents diarrhea. So it’s worth thinking about if you’re going somewhere with stomach problems and a different cuisine than what you’re used to.

TESCO DIARRHEA RELIEF CAPSULES LOPERAMIDE 6S £1.15

rehydration bag

If you develop diarrhea while you are away, it is best to start rehydration bags 12 to 24 hours after the first symptoms appear.

Be sure to hydrate with water immediately. However, if symptoms persist, start using rehydration bags after half a day or a full day of symptoms appearing.

DIORALYTE BLACKCURRANT 6 BAGS £4

Capsules for heartburn and acid reflux

On vacation, it’s easy to overindulge, whether it’s a free buffet or ordering a bounty, when you don’t normally do it.

When you pack something that helps with heartburn and acid reflux, you can enjoy what you want without worrying about it keeping you up at night or during rest periods.

HEALTH 20 mg Heartburn and Acid Reflux 14 CPSLS £10.00

ibuprofen

It is always worth packing both adult and child ibuprofen as it is beneficial in many different situations.

It can help relieve headaches from too much sun exposure or dehydration.

It has an anti-inflammatory effect and can therefore also help with sore muscles and menstrual cramps.

IBUPROFEN SUSPENSION FOR CHILDREN 100ML £2.10

TESCO IBUPROFEN 200MG 16 TABLETS £0.42