insideKENT Magazine Issue 40 - July 2015 | Page 82

HEALTH+WELLNESS
the essential holiday first aid kit cont.
Antiseptic Wipes

Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a great all round
solution to various ailments
including hayfever, itchy insect
bites, and even ‘prickly heat’
syndrome (an itchy inflammation
of the skin that occurs in hot or
humid conditions). They are a
useful addition to any first aid kit.
Piriteze Allergy Tablets (£3.19 from
www.boots.com) work quickly and
efficiently, providing almost instant
relief from allergens. They are one
a day tablets, so take one at
breakfast and you won’t have to worry about itchy skin or sniffles for the
rest of the day.

Easy to pack and lightweight to carry around, antiseptic wipes are definitely
an essential part of any first aid kit. From wiping over cuts and scrapes to
doubling as emergency toilet paper when out and about, these little sachets
can really save the day.

After Sun

Numark antiseptic wipes are a tried and trusted brand that will look after
you and your family, giving you total peace of mind. They contain aloe vera
to protect the skin, and are just £1 for a box of 10 from www.numarknet.com.

Re-Hydration Solution

The best way to deal with a sunburn is not to get burnt in the first place,
but we all know that accidents happen and when they do, they need to be
dealt with quickly. After sun cream (or spray, or gel) offers a cooling formula
that soothes the burn and moisturises the damaged skin. It will give you –
or your travelling companions – a more comfortable night’s sleep. The best
way to use after sun is quickly; as soon as you feel that the sun is too
strong, as soon as you start to go pink, get into the shade and apply liberally.
Liz Earle Sun Shade Botanical After Sun Gel (£15.00 fromwww.johnlewis.com)
includes ginkgo biloba which is full of antioxidants (perfect for repairing
damaged skin), as well as lavender, aloe vera, cucumber, and plenty of
vitamin E, all of which keep the skin elastic and pliable, keeping the tightness
of a sunburn to a minimum and allowing you to continue to enjoy your
holiday to the fullest.

Plasters
A small pack of plasters is a good
idea for your holiday first aid kit.
It’s best to opt for a variety of
sizes, shapes, and types (such
as waterproof and fabric) so that
you are prepared for any
eventuality. A readymade kit such
as those available from
www.firstaid4sport.co.uk
(costing from £6.63 for 100
plasters) are a great addition to
your first aid kit.

Diarrhoea and vomiting both dehydrate the body – put them together, as
might be the case with a stomach bug, and you can become very ill very
fast. It is essential to keep your body hydrated and topped up with the right
amount of salt, sugar, potassium, and other minerals should this happen,
and oral re-hydration solutions such as Dioralyte (available at
www.allcures.com for £3.85), which come in a variety of flavours to help
the medicine go down, are a great way of doing just that.
If you prefer, you can even make your own re-hydration solution at home
(although bear in mind that it will be trickier to transport if taking on holiday,
and you may not have immediate access to the ingredients when on holiday).
Add six teaspoons of sugar and ? teaspoon of salt to a litre of water that
has been boiled and allowed to cool. Stir until all the granules are dissolved,
and drink.

The same goes for bandages,
and at www.steroplast.co.uk there
is a huge range to choose from.

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