What to Pack (First Aid Kit)

It is incredible how few travellers don't consider bringing a first aid kit. Of course, what you bring depends upon where you go and the activities you'll be doing. Its worth doing some research before you leave. What type of medicines and care can you expect to receive where you'll be travelling? Some places offer excellent medical care; others may require you to be transported to another country for anything serious.
Its safe to assume, however, that you're going to get sick at some point during your travels. This is especially true if you travel for a long time (six months or more) or visit a country known for suspect water and food handling (such as India, Nepal, Cambodia).
Its best to be prepared and hope you won't need your first aid kit. The following is what we packed.

First aid bag
Best to keep your first aid kit separate so that you will always know where everything is. After all, you'll likely be looking for something when you are not feeling your best.
Bandaids - different sizes. Most common were blisters (or blister prevention) on our feet.
Moleskin - especially if you're trekking.
Antibacterial wipes - good for cleaning scrapes and minor surface wounds
small burnpads
Antidiarrheal tablets - only for emergencies. Minor diarrhea is a normal reaction to a change in diet and shouldn't be medicated. We kept these for travel days and in case dehydration was a possibility. I never took one during the entire year; Laura only used them once.
Antibiotic eyedrops - For eye infections. We never needed them.
Tylenol 3 painkillers - Contain codeine which is illegal in some countries. If someone is in a lot of pain and it will take a while to get to a doctor, these will be handy.
Ciprofloxacin 500mg (antibiotic) - Cured us when we were very sick from ingesting nasty bacteria in India. Cured us quickly. Available abroad but you may be too sick to go get it if you're travelling alone (we heard of this happening more than once, resulting in the traveller becoming very sick indeed)
Apo Metronidazole 250mg (antibiotic) - General purpose antibiotic. Some use it instead of Ciprofloxin for bacteria in the digestive system. Also can be used for other bacterial infections. We never used it.
Tylenol and Advil - Used it for the occasional headache but mostly for treating fevers
Pamprin - Wasn't needed, but may be useful for PMS
Epipen - For very serious allergic reactions. This gives a shot of adrenaline to the patient. People at risk of life threatening allergic reactions will know to carry one.
Antihistimines - For hay-fever and other minor allergic reactions.
Thermometer - We suffered from fevers more on our trip than we ever had at home. A thermometer was critical to determine when the fever might be getting bad enough to require being taken to a doctor or the hospital.
Gravol (motion sickness) - Even those not prone to motion sickness will be tested by the windy roads and stuffy bus trips in some countries. Recommended that you don't take a whole dose, as they will often put you to sleep and leave you vulnerable to pickpockets and thieves.
Orajel (small tube) - for tooth pain before you get to a dentist. We never needed it.
Acid blockers for upset stomach - If severe heartburn is an issue, you might wish to bring these. We never needed them.
Topical antibiotic cream- for cuts and scrapes
Pocket Doctor first aid book - the most important item in our kit, it was extremely valuable in helping us make decisions about treatment. Bring a good travel first aid book so you will know when a trip to the doctor or hospital is needed. I've talked to several travellers who waited too long to see the doctor and made their illness much worse as a result.
Pepto bismol tablets - for upset stomach and diarrhea. Never used it
Cold sore cream- if you are prone to cold sores
Oral rehydration salts - many travellers suffer from dehydration, usually after severe diaarhia or vomiting. Rehydration salts will help. We used plain potato chips and flat soda instead.
Hydrocortisone cream- for rashes and skin irritations
Prescription info for all drugs - keep your prescriptions with you. Some countries may want to see them to confirm you are not trying to illegally import drugs. Also check if your prescription drugs are illegal in the country you are visitiing.
Of course, you will also need a supply of any prescription drugs you regularly take, as well as any anti-malarials you have been prescribed.
Note: Malaria prophalaxis drugs may change the effectiveness of birth control pills. Check with your doctor and pharmacist.

It is very useful to have a small plastic container that can be well-sealed (Nalgene makes good ones) for carrying a few pills with you during the day. We stored a few of the following in this and kept it in our daypacks:
-Aspirin/Tylenol
-Anti-diarrheal pills
-Antihistamine
-Pepto-Bismol
-A couple of Rolaids
-Gravol
-Malaria prophalaxis
-Any other daily medications you require