Packing for Bali – First Aid Kit

Here’s the most important question of the day?  When you are packing for Bali, have you remembered to pop in a First Aid Kit?
 
Believe us when we say, this little afterthought might just become the most important thing in your suitcase. There’s no telling if, or when you’ll need it, but if you do, you’ll thank us.
 

Packing for Bali – The Essentials that every First Aid Kit needs

 
When packing for Bali, these eight items are non-negotiable. They’ve saved the day so many times, we don’t even need to question their inclusion. They are your basic must-carry-at-all-times items.

• Handy pack of Wet Wipes
• 1/2 roll of Toilet Paper (We’ve learned from experience NEVER to go anywhere in Bali without this essential item in our backpack.)
• Handy pack of Tissues
• Portable bottle of Hand Sanitiser
• Rescue Remedy. Bach Flower Remedy for anxiety, fear of flying, trauma, after an unexpected bite, shock, and nerves. It’s our go-to remedy for when the going gets tough.
• Mag Phos cell salts and a small bottle of Magnesium Spray to help aching legs and prevent/reduce muscle cramps (humid weather, dehydration and long flights can aggravate restless legs)
• Sunscreen (and hats)

Stuff for Itchies, Scratchies and “Owies”

 
We pack all our medical supplies into one medium size ‘packing cell’ from Kathmandu and it goes everywhere with us at the bottom of our day pack.

• Insect repellent. Our favourite insect repellent to bring from Australia for short trips is the Bushman’s Insect Repellent in the 80% DEET gel. (This is particularly important for the wet season or anytime there is a mozzie plague as it’s super strong.) We also take along Bushman’s Insect repellent spray for everyday mozzie deterrence, mozzie patches, mozzie wipes (great for toddlers and babies), mozzie bands, and we pick up mozzie coils when we get there.
• Calamine lotion. This stuff never fails to soothe.
• Aloe Vera lotion for after sun relief
• Stingose. For instant relief from ant bites and stings.
• Antiseptic cream (eg Dettol, Betadine)
• Children’s Panadol/Nurofen, and a small medicine cup
• Adult painkillers for headaches, sprains, falls etc (eg Panadol, Ibuprofen)

• Antihistamine (Tablets for adults and liquid for kids. Try Little Allergies, or Phenergan)
• Fabric and waterproof bandaids
• Padded blister patches
• Antacid tablets eg Quick-eze for those times when your belly can’t cope

Homeopathics First Aid Kit.

We take either our Homeopathic First Aid Kit in full, which includes all the remedies below, or we take individual bottles of our most-used remedies (Apis, Arnica, Nux Vomica). Homeopathic remedies can be purchased over the counter in Australian chemists and pharmacies but we suggest seeking advice from your doctor or pharmacist before use.

• Apis – bee or wasp stings, ant or insect bites, sore throat, allergies (itchy eyes), fever
• Arnica – strains, sprains, cramps, twisted angles, brusising, eczema, boils
• Belladonna- headaches, fever, redness and heat, earache, sore throat, sunburn, burns, teething, mild urinary complaints
• Chamomilla – digestive and stomach upsets, diarrhoea, colic, teething in infants, irritability, insomnia
• Euprhasia – conjunctivitis, hayfever, eye injuries, colds and flu
• Gelsemium – colds and flu, headaches, sore throat, jet lag, exhaustion
• Ledum – grazes, cuts, slow healing wounds, stiff painful joints
• Nux vomica – nausea, vomiting, travel sickness

Dosage according to Homeopathic Products Australia.

• A dosage is 3 pillules, taken 3 to 4 times per day. In acute cases, the dosage can be given every 10 minutes until obvious improvement. Dosage for children is the same as adults.
• Avoid touching the pillules with your hands. Avoid drinking coffee when taking homeopathics.

What should I pack for Bali Belly Prevention

 
We use the wet wipes or hand sanitiser before and after every meal, every toilet stop, and when visiting any place where there are animals, native or otherwise. At times, we’ve prepped our tummies in readiness with probiotics or a natural medicine that can help reduce the chances of an upset stomach due to a bug, rich food, or sensitivities to change.

• Travelan or Travel Bug natural medicine for gut health
• Yakult probiotic (you can buy these in most convenience stores in Bali itself too)

Bali Belly Treatment – all the things to pack for Bali

 
When packing for Bali, we advise stocking your first aid kit comprehensively. Yes, you can find some of these things in Bali if you need them, but who wants to be searching for a chemist late at night, or hunting down a particular medicine when all you want to do is lay down and close your eyes to avoid the cramping or nausea?  If you are travelling with kids, then it’s all the more important to ensure your packing for Bali includes ALL the remedies. We always err on the side of ‘better to be safe than sorry‘.

• Apple Blackcurrant Hydralyte Electrolyte Oral Rehydration Tablets
• Kids Panadol/Nurofen
• Buscopan for relief from cramping pain – for adults and children over 6 only. Read the safety leaflet before use.
• Imodium or Lomotil – for diarrhoea in adults and children over 12 years
• Chamomilla homeopathic pistules for digestive and stomach upsets and diarrhoea. Safe for adults and children.
• Nux vomica homeopathic pistules for nausea, vomiting, and travel sickness. Safe for adults and children.
• Mintec Peppermint Oil Capsules for natural relief from cramping pains – for adults only. Not recommended for children
• A few peppermint or camomile herbal teabags

Here’s a very useful bit of essential reading for anyone wanting to prevent and avoid Bali Belly. This guide also has a comprehensive section on treatment, including what to eat and drink in Bali while you are recovering.
 

What to buy in Bali – MORE First Aid Kit favourites.

 
Add to your first aid kit with these Bali favourites.

•  Bokashi Oil is a famous traditional Balinese healing oil made from a mixture of medicinal plants. (Ingredients: Coconut Oil 60%, Cajuputi Oil 4%, Citronella Oil 4%, Eugenol Oil 4%, Foeniculum Oil 2%, Cinnamon Oil 2%, Peppermint Oil 2%. All up over 300+ natural and organic ingredients.)  Bokashi oil is an effective treatment for skin conditions, fungal infections, abrasions, itching and insect bites. It can also assist with relief from muscle soreness, strain, rheumatic or arthritic pains, neck and general stiffness, sprains and backaches. Apply 2-3 times daily to the affected area. Can be used as a massage oil or put a few drops in the bath.
• Norit Activated Charcoal tablets. Activated charcoal tablets are a natural product that absorb toxic substances in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Soffell or Autan insect repellent. We always add these to our stash too.

Packing for Bali- anything you’d add to the First Aid Kit?

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Looking for More Things to Do in Bali with Kids?

Click on the blue links below.

• Check out our favourite family hotel smack bang in the heart of Kuta

• Should I take a pram or stroller to Bali?

• The ESSENTIAL guide to Bali with Kids

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