First aid kit a must for vacation

To have the best summer vacation, travelers should put together personalized first aid kits and learn how to properly use medications as well as deal with emergencies, health authorities and doctors said Thursday.

Also, vacationers should take necessary steps to keep food safe and remove contact lenses and hearing aids when swimming, they added.

According to a list of health recommendations released by the Ministry of Food and Drugs, travelers should prepare personalized first aid kits in accordance with their health status and concerns. Those who suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and asthma, for instance, should consult with their doctors about travel plans first, and then take as much prescribed medication on the trip as needed.

Over-the-counter drugs such as fever reducers, antacids, disinfectants and digestive pills are useful for migraine headaches, indigestion and other stomach or intestinal maladies. Ointments containing antibiotics for treating or preventing infection of open wounds are also recommended. 

Other than drugs, sunscreen or gels containing aloe vera, insect repellent, and band-aids are recommended to prevent and treat skin irritations, sunburns and bug bites that often occur during outdoor activities. A digital thermometer is also advised.

Vaccines or other preventive medicine is advised for those who plan to travel to regions with malaria reports.

It is important to learn how and when to apply those drugs and also check expiration dates, said Lee Young-mi, a pharmacist at Samsung Medical Center.

“For drugs that are past their expiration dates, the effects wear off and could cause side effects if they have become denatured. So, it is better to buy new ones instead,” Lee said.

If planning on cooking outdoors, keep food in portable coolers while driving and make sure it is well cooked and eaten within two hours to prevent food poisoning, officials at the food and drug ministry said. Travelers should eat raw fish or seafood within four hours as food goes bad faster in high temperatures and humidity.

When swimming, it is best for those who wear contact lens or hearing aids to take them out. Wearing contact lens while playing in the water can cause pain, inflamed eyes and even infection, doctors say. Instead, wear sightcorrective swimming goggles or consult with doctors if symptoms continue, they added.

In case of emergencies, travelers should learn how to deal with such situations with accurate medical procedures. People often have misguided ideas when treating cuts or wounds, said Shin Tae-geon, a doctor at Samsung Medical Center.

“It is quite wrong to apply a powder type of anti-hemorrhagic agent to quickly stop bleeding because it adheres to the wounded area and prevents healing. It could also cause infection,” Shin said. Don’t use cotton balls to disinfect wounds because cotton hair also tends to stick to the affected area which delays healing, the doctor added.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)