Allergies

Tablets containing antihistamines are effective against allergies, itching, skin rashes and insect bites.

Older antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine cause drowsiness, so caution will be required when driving. Newer antihistamines such as loratidine are non-sedating.

Most remedies are available without prescription from a pharmacy.

Animal bites

Domestic pets cause most animal bites. Dogs are more likely to bite than cats. Cat bites, however, are more likely to cause infection. Bites from nonimmunized domestic animals and wild animals carry the risk of rabies. Rabies is more common in raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes than in cats and dogs. Rabbits, squirrels and other rodents rarely carry rabies. If an animal bites you or your child, follow these guidelines:

• For minor wounds. If the bite barely breaks the skin, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection and cover the bite with a clean bandage.
• For deep wounds. If the bite creates a deep puncture of the skin or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see your doctor.
• For infection. If you notice signs of infection such as swelling, redness, increased pain or oozing, see your doctor immediately.
• For suspected rabies. If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal that might carry rabies — any bite from a wild or domestic animal of unknown immunization status — see your doctor immediately.

Doctors recommend getting a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last one was more than five years ago and your wound is deep or dirty, your doctor may recommend a booster. You should have the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

Chemical burns

If a chemical burns the skin, follow these steps:  Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the chemicals off the skin surface with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the burning chemical is a powder-like substance such as lime, brush it off the skin before flushing.

Remove clothing or jewelry that has been contaminated by the chemical.

Consider using a lotion, such as one containing aloe vera, to prevent drying and to make the skin feel more comfortable.Wrap the burned area with a dry, sterile dressing or a clean cloth. Rinse the burn again for several more minutes if the victim complains of increased burning after the initial washing.Minor chemical burns usually heal without further treatment.

Seek emergency medical assistance if:

• The victim has signs of shock, such as fainting, pale complexion or breathing in a notably shallow manner.
• The chemical burned through the first layer of skin and the resulting second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
• The chemical burn occurred on the eye, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks or over a major joint.

If you're unsure whether a substance is toxic, call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222. If you seek emergency assistance, bring the chemical container or a complete description of the substance with you for identification.

Constipation

Unfamiliar food and travel can cause acute constipation. A laxative for use in the rectum (suppository) or tablets that activate bowel movements can be used in the short term. Constipation is best prevented with a high-fibre diet and fluids.

Diarrhea

If you have diarrhea when travelling it is important to keep hydrated by drinking oral dehydrations solutions.

In an emergency many travel health professionals also recommend taking a single 500mg tablet of ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic). This is a prescription-only medicine, and you should discuss its use with your doctor before leaving for areas where it might be needed. This dose is for healthy adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medicines such as lope amide can be used for short-term treatment of mild diarrhoea, and can be useful when travelling.

Electrical shocks

Minor electrical shocks are common. They're usually more surprising than they are dangerous. In some cases, however, even small amounts of electricity can be life-threatening by causing unconsciousness, cessation of heartbeat (cardiac arrest) and cessation of breathing. Electrical shocks can also cause serious, deep burns and tissue injury, although often even a serious electrical burn may appear as only a minor mark on the skin.

If you believe someone has been electrocuted:

Call 911 or emergency medical help. Look first. Don't touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.

Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check the person's breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.

If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk of his or her body and the legs elevated.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when one or more arteries supplying your heart with blood and oxygen become blocked. This loss of blood flow injures your heart muscle. A heart attack generally causes chest pain for longer than 15 minutes, but it can also be silent and have no symptoms at all.

About half the people who suffer a heart attack have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be recurrent chest pain that's triggered by exertion and relieved by rest.

The American Heart Association lists these warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Be aware that you may not have all of them and that symptoms may come and go.Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of your chest, lasting more than a few minutes

Pain spreading to your shoulders, neck or arms Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath If you suspect a heart attack, even if it feels like indigestion, act immediately:

Call 911 or emergency medical assistance. The operator contacts the emergency medical services (EMS) system. In areas without 911 service, call the emergency medical response system. It's usually better to call these emergency numbers first. Calling your doctor may add unnecessary time. When you call, describe symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain. This ensures a priority dispatch of EMS responders (paramedics) trained in basic and advanced cardiac life support. Most EMS units carry a portable defibrillator, a device that restores normal heart rhythm by delivering electrical shocks. Defibrillators can be critical to early successful treatment and survival. Many police and fire rescue units also carry defibrillators and may respond before an ambulance does. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the person you're calling about is unconscious, an emergency dispatcher may advise you to begin emergency treatment. If you're not trained in emergency procedures, doctors recommend skipping mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and proceeding directly to chest compression. The reason is that if you're distracted by trying to perform unfamiliar breathing techniques, valuable lifesaving minutes might be lost for the person who needs help. The most important thing you can do is to proceed directly to chest compression to move blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. If you're trained in emergency procedures, it's important to do both mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compression. Decide on the fastest method of transportation. A dispatcher automatically notifies the closest well-equipped EMS unit. Ideally, EMS responders should reach you within 4 to 5 minutes. If you live in a rural or large metropolitan area, however, you may get to the hospital faster by having someone drive you. Don't drive yourself! Go to the nearest emergency cardiac care facility. Identify in advance the nearest center staffed 24 hours a day with doctors trained to provide emergency cardiac care. Chew aspirin. Aspirin inhibits blood clotting, which helps maintain blood flow through a narrowed artery. If you think you're having a heart attack, take one regular-strength aspirin and chew it to speed absorption. Avoid aspirin if you are allergic to it or if you have bleeding problems. Don't delay calling for emergency help just because you've taken aspirin. Aspirin alone won't treat your heart attack.

Heartburn and stomach acid

If you have a tendency to suffer from stomach acid, heartburn and a burning sensation when you consume sharp-tasting foods and drinks, take an antacid in your kit.

Infection and inflammation

If you think you may need antibiotics when travelling abroad, you should discuss this with your doctor before you leave. Your doctor can prescribe what you need, although this may need to be done on a private rather than NHS prescription.

In several parts of the world antibiotics are available without prescription and without visiting a doctor, but as far as possible you should consult a doctor before taking antibiotics.

Motion sickness

Any type of transportation can cause motion sickness. It can strike suddenly, progressing from a feeling of restlessness to a cold sweat, dizziness and then vomiting. Motion sickness may quiet down as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you'll adjust to being in motion.

You may escape motion sickness by planning ahead. If you're traveling:

• By ship, request a cabin in the middle of the ship, near the waterline.
• By plane, ask for a seat over the front edge of a wing. Once aboard, direct the air vent to your face.
• By train, take a seat near a window and face forward.
• By automobile, drive or sit in the front passenger's seat.

If you're susceptible to motion sickness:

• Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. Don't read.
• Keep your head still, resting against a seat back.
• Don't smoke or sit near smokers.
• Avoid spicy foods and alcohol. Don't overeat.
• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as meclizine (Antivert, Bonine) or one containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) before you feel sick. Expect drowsiness as a side effect.
• Consider scopolamine (Transderm Scop), available in a prescription adhesive patch. Several hours before you plan to travel, apply the patch behind your ear for 72-hour protection. Talk to your doctor before using the medication if you have health problems such as asthma, glaucoma or urine retention.
• Eat dry crackers or drink a carbonated beverage to help settle your stomach if you become ill.

Pain

Painkillers are indispensable for headaches, muscle pain, toothache and menstrual pain. Take a remedy containing aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Blister packs are preferable, because loose or effervescent tablets may absorb moisture from the air and become ineffective. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor.

Thermometer, scissors and tweezers

A small digital thermometer is handy if you suspect a high temperature. Scissors and tweezers may also prove useful.

Sores and blisters

Take a skin-disinfecting agent with you to clean sores, eg a small bottle of chlorhexidine. Antiseptic wipes are also useful.

Bandages and plasters are useful to have at hand in case an accident should happen. Blisters can be helped with a special plaster, available from pharmacies.

Sunburn

Sunburn is prevented with a sun block cream that has a high sun protection factor (SPF). A natural remedy with aloe vera may alleviate any redness after sunbathing.

Local anesthetics and painkilling gel may be useful in dealing with problems caused by too much sun. Discuss such treatment with your pharmacist.

Vomiting

As with diarrhea, the important point is to replace lost fluids. Frequent small drinks, if possible using ones that contain salt and sugar, are preferred.

Water purification tablets

Water purification tablets can be purchased from pharmacies or outdoor pursuits stores. Excellent containers that act as physical and chemical filters are now available from large chemists and travel clinics.

 Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. Don't use this information to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. If you're in a life-threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately.