Minor injuries

In warm climates, a small wound can easily become infected. Therefore, keep it clean and well aired. Protect the wound temporarily with a plaster or compress. Unfortunately, these are also good breeding grounds for bacteria and should therefore be removed as soon as the wound stops bleeding. Infected wounds shall primarily be cleaned with pure / sterilised water. If it still does not heal, seek a physician!

Abrasions
Carefully clean with soap and clean water or with disinfectant. Place a sterile compress on top.

Cuts
can be allowed to bleed for a short time. This cleans the wound. Then rinse with sterile or clean running water. Make sure you remove all dirt and foreign particles. Wipe the wound area dry and tape up the edges with wound care tape. If you suffer a major cut, seek a physician!

Puncture Wounds
Clean the wound carefully with soap, clean or preferably sterile water. Then wipe dry. You may want to apply a plaster as well.

Burns
Hold the injured body part under cold running water for at least 15 minutes.
If the burn is superficial and extends no larger than the size the palm of your hand, you should protect the wound with a sterile compress that can stay in place for 4-5 days.
However, if the burn is deep, larger than the palm of your hand or if the wound becomes infected, seek the help of a doctor.
Children who get a fever in connection with a burn should receive medical attention.
Do not poke holes into a burn blister.

Chafe Sores
should be protected with chafe sore plasters, e.g., Compeed. Such can also be used in order to prevent chafe sores.

Major Lacerations
If possible, press together the edges of the wound and then stop the bleeding with a tourniquet. Hold the injured part of the body high. Seek the help of a physician!




Dental Problems

Having problems with your teeth might sound trivial, but they can be annoying and perhaps even jeopardise the entire trip.
Even small changes in air pressure can result in toothaches, not just during the flight, but also in connection with SCUBA diving.
Fortunately, dental problems are not life-threatening. On short trips, it is often enough simply to bite down and wait to return home.

Sharp Pains, Temperature-sensitive Tooth
Modify your diet. Avoid sour food and drinks. Carefully clean your teeth in spite of the discomfort.

Toothache Alone
Wait until you get home. Try painkillers - see "travel pharmacy".

Toothache with Fever, Swelling in the Jaw or Mucous Membrane
If possible, contact your regular dentist. Otherwise, look for a dentist at your location.

Lost Fillings
Wait until you get home. You might want to use provisional dental cementum (Cavit) as a temporary filling.

Lost Crowns / Bridges
Wait until you get home. You might want to use provisional dental cementum (Cavit) as a fastening.

Partially Knocked-out Tooth / Dental Injury
Seek a dentist.

Fully Knocked-out Tooth
It is urgent that you receive treatment for a knocked-out tooth since it is very sensitive to being dried out. After more than 20 minutes in the air, it can be difficult to save.
If possible, place the tooth in milk (N.B.: not curdled milk or yoghurt) or keep it under your tongue. Seek a dentist immediately!



If you need to seek medical attention

In many countries, you can expect the standard often to be worse than what you are used to at home. Large or private hospitals are often well equipped and have competent staff, but the level of hygiene may be deficient. Relatively speaking, medical care in the cities is better than out in the countryside, but this can vary greatly.
If you need medical care, the staff at the travel agency, hotel or perhaps even the embassy can recommend a suitable medical care facility.
When travelling within the EU / EEA, first contact the country’s own social insurance office in order to get a referral to an approved care provider. If you have a so-called EU card with you, you only pay the patient fee that applies to the country’s own citizens. If you do not have your card with you, you can ask the care provider or the country’s equivalent social insurance office to contact the Social Insurance Agency in your home country. A provisional certificate can be sent to the care provider.
If you seek out a private health care provider who is not connected with the social insurance agency, you must pay the entire cost on your own. In this case, it is a good idea to have a travel insurance policy that covers the expenses. Contact your insurance company before beginning a course of more comprehensive care / transport. Remember that you will likely also have to pay your health care costs immediately on the spot. In order to get compensation for medical treatment abroad, you must have been treated by a licensed medical staff and be able to present a receipt for the costs, as well as a doctor’s report or journal that should be written in English. As a rule, the insurance company pays out compensation once you get back home.

Injections / Blood Transfusions
The same syringes, needles or operating instruments are at times used for several different people. That is why you should always make sure that single-use disposable materials are used when being treated. For the same reason, you should avoid undergoing operations unless such are utterly necessary and can be done at a major hospital. In most cases, blood plasma is sufficient, but in the case of major bleeding, a transfusion will be life-saving. If possible, the blood shall be tested for hepatitis and HIV.

Medicines
In many countries, you can buy medicines that are not approved in your home country. You should therefore consult a doctor before purchasing them.
If you do not know exactly how, when and for what reason the medicines are to be used - do not use them!
If you get an itch, skin rash or breathing problems that you think might be due to the medicine - consult a physician!