Packing Suggestions


Health

Diarrhea treatment	A common problem for travellers is diarrhea, so it is worth considering packing some appropriate medicine. Dehydration can become a problem, so ensure that you drink enough liquids. To lessen the risks of becoming infected, it is better to avoid food from street sellers and ensure that anything you eat is well cooked. Also ensure that food, such as fruit and salads, have been washed in clean water. and do not ingest contaminated water or swim in it.

Doctor	Keep a note of your doctors contact details, incase you need medical treatment abroad which requires access to your medical records.

First aid	You should pack antiseptic cream, plasters and bandages (which can be secured using safety pins) to treat the cuts and bruises that can occur during you travels. Pain relief tablets should, like all medicines, be carried in their original packaging.

Grooming	A comb, deodorant, nail clippers and razor can help you to stay looking, smelling and feeling good. Where possible pack small bottles rather than bulky aerosols.

Insect repellent	You might consider taking insect repellents, if you plan to visit remote areas or the mediterranean during the hotter months of the year and are concerned about insects such as mosquitoes.

Medicines	If you need to take medicine, get a prescription from your doctor that you can use abroad incase you run out. Ensure that it is both available and legal in the countries you intend to visit.

Mirror	If you pack a mirror chose an unbreakable acrylic one rather than glass.

Shampoo	If you can find them, shampoo sachets are a small lightweight alternative to bottles.

Sink plug	Some sinks do not have a plug, so you could find it useful to pack a universal sink plug.

Soap	You will probably not need to pack your own soap as it will be available where you stay, though you could take a small travel sized bar.

Sunscreen and lip balm	Ensure sunscreen is of sufficient protection factor and no more than two years old. As well as your body and limbs, remember to apply it to the back of your neck, ears, nose, hands and feet and put lip balm on your lips. Sunscreen works by creating a barrier and should therefore be applied before any insect repellents.

Toilet paper	You might need a few sheets of toilet paper as it is not always available. In some countries you will find squat toilets, which could be blocked if you put paper down them.

Toothpaste and brush	Pack the smallest tube of toothpaste that you can find and a toothbrush with a cover to protect the bristles. Dental floss could also be used as an alternative to thread or string.

Towel	A small towel will take up some space, but could be useful. If you are unsure of the cleanliness of towels you find in hostels or hotels that you stay at, you might prefer to use your own. If it is of sufficient size you could use it at the beach.

Water	If you are unsure of the quality of the public water supply, you could either boil it or drink bottled water. Take care when brushing your teeth to use only safe water. It might be better to only order bottled drinks in bars and hotels as they could have been washed with contaminated water, also ice cubes could have been made with it.