Last year, whilst working as the travel editor of my student magazine, I decided to do a travel-health special, including a list of travel-health essentials that you should always take on the road. A group of my writers teamed up to make their suggestions, and the results were quite funny. As it’s nearly summer, and a lot of people are probably planning their next trip, I thought I’d share my writer’s tips with you. So here is a list of travel-health essentials that you should never be without:
(Compiled by Eliott Fellinger, Anthony Lock, Sam Langan and Venetia Stefanou)
Condoms – Because STDs don’t take holidays (unless they’re intermittent).
Sunscreen – This will stop you getting skin cancer whilst making you look all shiny and sexy, everyone’s a winner (except cancer).
Malaria tablets/injections – Because death by mosquito bite sucks.
Honey – Apparently it can help heal small wounds and burns whilst doubling up as a tasty lip balm. On the other hand you might get mauled by bears.
Antibacterial wipes – Because the best places in the world don’t have washbasins or showers. They are perfect substitutes whether you’re in Glastonbury or Guyana. Contains alcohol too!
Alka Seltzer – This is the simplest way to cure hangovers and headaches and you don’t even need to use frying pans or squeeze grapes!
Tiger Balm – A Chinese health medicine that breathes new life back into muscles and aches and is also great for soothing insect bites. No Tiger included in the ingredients.
Clothing – Long sleeved and long legged clothing is appropriate in any weather condition, attractive I know, but you’ll be laughing when some fool in your tour group is in sunburn hell because they didn’t cover up.
Mosquito Clicker – Or “the Zapper,” or the Frank Zapper if your feeling funky. This little baby gives you a small electric shock to rid you of that annoying itch given off when a Mosquito decides to feast on you. Available on Amazon.
Lemons – Apparently spiders hate them so get your juicers at the ready if you’re off to the jungle!
Tampons – Obviously a necessity for girls. Trying to get hold of these where you don’t speak the language can turn into a horribly detailed game of charades in front of a foreign chemist. Guys – I hear they are also good for nosebleeds…
Energy snacks – Keeping your energy levels up is always a good idea whether you are climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or going on a wet walk through Wales so don’t forget to prepare with a packed lunch!
Magicool –Spray it in the car on a hot day, in your pokey little hostel room with no air-con or even on yourself. It instantly cools you down, which is a Godsend in really hot countries.
Sense of humour – Essential for getting on with locals when traveling, because you can get (nearly) everything else on the road!
Experience Wanderlust 