Travel with a first­aid kitJoyce Teo looks at what you should pack for your next holidayIt is the holiday season and if

you are planning on goingabroad, do not forget to pack amedical kit.

It will come in handy whenan unexpected illness or

accident happens."Travelling with children, including

babies and toddlers, can be difficultespecially when they are unwell,"said Dr Raymond Choy, a generalpractitioner at Raffles Medical ChangiAirport Terminal 3 Medical Centre.It is best to be prepared and make

sure your children receive theirvaccinations at least four weeksbefore the departure date, he said.Apart from medication for minor

ailments like runny and blockednoses, coughs, sore throats andheadaches, a holiday travel kitshould contain tablets for food

poisoning, a common concern amongtravellers, say experts.Also, do not forget to pack any

prescribed medications for chronicillnesses, such as asthma, diabetesand epileptic seizures.They include inhalers and

nebulisers for asthma, insulin fordiabetes, anti­epileptic drugs and anepinephrine auto­injector; like EpiPenfor allergies, said Dr Choy.

"Prescription medication can bedifficult to obtain in another countrydue to the prescription policy there."

Having to go to a local clinic to getthe medication could be challenging,

as there may not be medical servicesnearby, he added.Women also tend to forget to bring

contraceptive pills, he said.Before you travel, it is wise to visit

the pharmacist to obtain medicines,such as loperamide, hyosinen­butylbromide and oral rehydrationsalts, which can come in handy forsomeone who has diarrhoea,vomiting and stomach cramps, saidMs Mandy Wong, a pharmacist atWatsons Singapore.

"Probiotics are highlyrecommended to protect thestomach from harmful bacteria. Theyalso relieve stomach discomfort forsomeone who has constipation andbloating."Taking probiotics may help to

shorten the bout of diarrhoea,especially in children, as they help torebalance the amount of good andbad bacteria in the intestines, shesaid.Meanwhile, antacids neutralise

excess acid in our stomach whichcould cause gastric pain, whileactivated carbon absorbs toxins fromour intestines when we have acutediarrhoea.

Take probiotics and charcoal pillstwo hours apart, as the latter canprevent the absorption of probiotics,she advised.

Other helpful items to take alonginclude a nasal gel spray, which

coats the nostrils with moisture.You can use this if breathing dry

air in the plane cabin causes pain inyour nostrils, or when you sufferfrom a nosebleed, suggestedMs Wong.

"Alternatively, wearing a paperface mask may provide some relief

by trapping moisture in a person'sbreath.

"Such masks can also protecttravellers from air or droplet­borneinfections."

CHECK MEDICATION FOR KIDS

Holiday medical kits can becustomised to individual needs; oryou can get a general­purpose one.Some places, such as Raffles

Medical, sell travel medical kits. Theone at Raffles Medical costs $28and is available to walk­in customers.

However, Dr Choy advises one toconsult a doctor or pharmacist onthe use of travel medication.

"Some of these medications arenot suitable for children below acertain age, so parents are advisedto consult their general practitioneror paediatrician first," he said.Generally, paracetamol, ibuprofen,

buscopan, piriton, ceterizine and oralhydration salts are safe for children,though one should consult a doctorfor indications and dosages.

joyceteo@sph.com.sg

Headline Travel wtth a first-aid kitMediaTitle The Straits Times (Mind Your Body) (Thu)Date 04 Dec 2014 Color Full ColorSection Mind Your Body Circulation 352,000Page No 4 Readership 1,380,000Language English ArticleSize 625 cm²Journalist N/A AdValue S$ 14,524Frequency Weekly PR Value S$ 14,524

TAKE THESE ALONG

ParacetamolYou can use this for pain or mildfever below 38.5deg C.

/

IbuprofenUse this for a high fever of38.5 degC or more.

Plrtton or CetlrtzineUse these for flu or allergicsymptoms, such as sneezing,itching, watery eyes or a runnynose. These, or any Kind ofantihisthamine, can also be usedto treat motion sickness.

AntacidThey work by neutralising excessstomach acid and are used to

relieve heartburn or gastricdiscomfort.

BuscopanThese tablets are used to treatabdominal cramps, but are notrecommended for children belowsix.

However, buscopan syrup canbe given to young children, thoughparents should seek medicaladvice first.

Buscopan tablets are also notrecommended for irritable bowelsyndrome symptoms in childrenunder 12. ~

MetoclopramldeThis treats nausea and vomiting. Itworks directly on your gut, helpingto move food in your stomachthrough your digestive systemmore quickly to ease the feeling ofsickness.

LoperamideThis is for diarrhoea, a common

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO

occurrence in travellers, especiallyamong children and the elderly.

Oral rehydration saltsThis is good for rehydration and isused to prevent dehydration fromdiarrhoea. It contains glucose andessential minerals.

UitracarbonThese tablets are used to treatstomach gas or wind.

Motion sickness medication

Two frequently used medicines aredimenhydrinate and cinnarizine.

Dimenhydrinate is available inthe form of tablets or syrup(recommended for childrentwo years and above), whilecinnarizine is available only intablet form.

Drowsiness is a common sideeffect.

For those who prefer a

non­drowsy medicine, gingertablets are a good option.

First­aid ItemsThese include wound dressing forminor cuts and abrasions, piasterstrips, an antiseptic solution andsterile cotton balls. ­

It is good to pack q first­aid kitas part of your holiday travel kit incase of injuries or accidents.Such a kit should include

two pairs of sterile gloves, anantiseptic cleansing agent such assaline, sterile wound dressingsand gauze, bandages, aloe veragel for sunburns or bums, aneye­wash solution, a pair ofscissors and a thermometer.

Sources: Dr Raymond Choy,a general practitioner at Raffles

Medical Changi Airport Terminal 3Medical Centre; and Ms MandyWong, a pharmacist at Watsons

Singapore.

Headline Travel wtth a first-aid kitMediaTitle The Straits Times (Mind Your Body) (Thu)Date 04 Dec 2014 Color Full ColorSection Mind Your Body Circulation 352,000Page No 4 Readership 1,380,000Language English ArticleSize 625 cm²Journalist N/A AdValue S$ 14,524Frequency Weekly PR Value S$ 14,524