A well-assembled first-aid kit is an important part of a summer holiday by the sea, especially if children, allergy sufferers or diabetics are traveling with you. Adequate preparation can help to deal with any health problems that may arise during the trip.

In the following, we will look at what should be included in such a first-aid kit and give special recommendations for children, allergy sufferers and diabetics. It is also about whether there are import restrictions or import bans for medicines in certain countries and which countries require a medical certificate for the import of medicines.

Important: This article does not constitute advice reserved for doctors and pharmacists, but is intended to provide guidance only. People with (chronic) illnesses in particular should seek advice from a doctor and/or pharmacist they trust before putting together a product. This is especially true if prescription drugs are to be carried.

Also think of the children

For a good first aid kit by the sea, you should first pack basic first aid supplies. This includes dressing materials such as plasters, sterile compresses, gauze bandages, wound disinfectant and scissors. Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor is essential to protect the skin from sunburn. Make sure the sunscreen is waterproof as you will be in the sea or pool a lot. Insect bites are not uncommon on summer vacations, so you should also take insect repellent with you. With children, it is important to choose a mosquito repellent product that is appropriate for their age group.

For children, in addition to the items mentioned above, specific medicines should also be taken. Fever and painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen in child-friendly doses should always be at hand. Motion sickness remedies can also be helpful for children, especially if they are prone to motion sickness. If you stay by the sea for a longer period of time, you should also take remedies for earaches caused by swimming in the water or for skin irritations such as sunburn or insect bites.

It is advisable for allergy sufferers to take sufficient quantities of their specific allergy medication with them. These include antihistamines, nasal sprays, or eye drops. In the case of severe allergies, such as an allergy to insect venom, an emergency kit including an adrenaline dispenser (e.g. an auto-injector) should be available in the first-aid kit. It is also important to consider any food allergies you may have and take appropriate precautions.

Diabetics should ensure they have enough insulin, test strips, needles and blood glucose meters to monitor and control their blood sugar levels. It is advisable to pack extra insulin in case of loss or damage. A list of important contact details for doctors or diabetologists should also be part of the first-aid kit.

Not all medicines may be imported (without a certificate).

When it comes to import restrictions or bans on medicines, regulations vary from country to country. Some countries have strict rules, especially for drugs classified as narcotics or psychotropic substances. For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) bans the import of codeine, tramadol and many other painkillers. In Japan, some common drugs such as Sudafed or Vicks Inhalers containing pseudoephedrine are not allowed to be imported. It is therefore advisable to check the specific import regulations of the destination country before you travel. The embassy or consulate of the destination country can help you with this.

In some countries, such as Turkey, a medical certificate is required to import certain medicines. The certificate should ideally be written in the local language to avoid misunderstandings. It is advisable to speak to your doctor before traveling and ask for such a certificate if you need to carry medication that may be checked.

Overall, it is important to have a well-stocked first-aid kit for your summer vacation by the sea in order to be prepared for any health problems that may arise. The individual needs of children, allergy sufferers and diabetics should be given special consideration. Find out in advance about the import regulations of the destination country and, if necessary, have a medical certificate ready to avoid unpleasant situations at the border.