Summer medicine kit 2026 — sunburn, insect bites, traveller's diarrhoea and heatstroke

July, 34°C in the shade, a beach by the sea. Your child is running across the sand while you close your eyes for a moment. Two hours later — angry red shoulders, a crying child, and no after-sun lotion in the bag. That evening, a friend returns from dinner with stomach cramps, and the only electrolytes bought at the airport are back at the hotel. The next morning, mosquitoes have bitten your wife all over — and nobody has even a basic anti-itch gel.

These scenes play out every summer in millions of families in Poland. And every time the solution is the same: 20 minutes of preparation before the trip would have saved an entire day of your holiday. A summer medicine kit is not paranoia — it is basic practical common sense that fits inside one toiletry bag and covers 90% of typical summer ailments.

This guide gives you specific medicines and remedies for four main categories of summer hazards: sunburn, insect bites, traveller’s diarrhoea, and heat-related illness. No generalities, no unnecessary theory — just practical advice you can act on today.

Sunburn and UV protection

The sun is summer’s main attraction — and the main cause of skin problems. Sunburn is not just uncomfortable redness. It damages the DNA in skin cells and increases the risk of melanoma with every episode. Children’s skin is thinner and more vulnerable to damage: one severe burn in childhood doubles the risk of skin cancer in adult life.

Prevention — before the problem starts

• SPF 50 sunscreen — for your face and sensitive areas (ears, neck, feet). SPF 30 for the rest of the body. Apply 20-30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours and after every swim.
• Mineral sunscreen for children — zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Gentler on delicate skin and effective immediately upon application.
• UV400 sunglasses — they protect not just against glare but against corneal damage from ultraviolet radiation.
• Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved clothing — especially between 11:00 and 15:00, when UV radiation is strongest.

When sunburn has already happened

• Panthenol (foam or cream) — supports skin regeneration, cools the skin and relieves pain. This is the number one remedy for sunburn. Apply 3-4 times a day to dry skin.
• Ibuprofen — has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Take 400 mg as soon as you notice the burn — it will reduce swelling and pain.
• Antihistamine (cetirizine or loratadine) — helps when sunburn triggers an allergic reaction such as itching or hives. Some people are particularly sensitive to the sun and develop a so-called sun allergy (PMLE — polymorphous light eruption).
• Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream — for localised inflammatory reactions after intense exposure. Apply a thin layer 1-2 times a day, for a maximum of 7 days.

Important: If the burn covers a large area of the body, blisters form, or fever develops, see a doctor. That is a second-degree burn requiring professional care.

Remember that sunscreens have a limited shelf life. A tube opened last year may have lost its effectiveness. Check the expiry date before you leave — in mojApteczka you can do this with one tap using expiry date alerts.

Insect bites — mosquitoes, ticks and wasps

Summer is insect season. Mosquitoes by the lake, ticks in the forest, wasps at the barbecue — each scenario calls for a different approach, but the basic set of medicines is the same.

Prevention — avoiding bites in the first place

• DEET repellent (20-30%) — the most effective substance for repelling mosquitoes and ticks. Safe for adults and children over 3 years of age. Apply to exposed skin every 4-6 hours.
• Icaridin — an alternative to DEET that is gentler on the skin. Effective for 6-8 hours. A good choice for people with sensitive skin.
• Coils and plug-in vaporisers — for terraces, balconies and hotel rooms. They do not replace skin repellents but make a useful supplement.
• Light-coloured long-sleeved clothing — ticks are easier to spot on light fabric, and mosquitoes are less likely to bite covered skin.

When a bite has already happened

• Dimetindene (Fenistil) gel — apply directly to the bite. It has an antihistamine effect, reducing itching, redness and swelling. Effective for mosquito bites, midge bites and wasp stings.
• Cetirizine or loratadine (tablets) — if there are many bites or the reaction is widespread, an oral antihistamine works systemically and is more effective than gel alone.
• Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream — for stronger reactions where the bite remains significantly swollen, itchy and unresponsive to antihistamine gel.
• Antiseptic (octenisept or chlorhexidine) — every bite is a potential entry point for infection. Disinfect before applying any gel.

Special situations

• Tick bite: Remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover (pull straight upwards, do not twist). Disinfect the area. Monitor the site for 4 weeks — a rash around the bite (larger than 5 cm and expanding) may indicate Lyme disease. See a doctor.
• Wasp or bee sting in someone with a known allergy: If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to insect venom, carry an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) with you on holiday — this is a life-saving medicine for anaphylactic shock. It requires a prescription.
• Standard wasp sting reaction: Apply a cold compress for 15 minutes, use antihistamine gel, and take a painkiller (ibuprofen). Swelling may persist for 2-3 days — this is normal.

Not sure what to use as a substitute for a specific antihistamine if it is unavailable at a foreign pharmacy? The medicine substitutes feature in mojApteczka shows you alternatives with the same active ingredient.

Traveller’s diarrhoea — your digestive system under pressure

Traveller’s diarrhoea is the most common illness among tourists. It affects 30-50% of people travelling to countries with lower sanitation standards, but it can just as easily happen after a change of water, food from a street stall in Barcelona, or an overenthusiastic tasting session at a Greek taverna. In children, diarrhoea is especially dangerous because dehydration sets in faster than in adults.

Medicines for diarrhoea — what to pack

• Loperamide (Imodium) — slows intestinal motility, reducing the frequency of loose stools. The first medicine to reach for during acute diarrhoea. Dosage: 2 tablets initially, then 1 after each loose stool, up to a maximum of 8 tablets per day. Do not give to children under 6.
• Diosmectite (Smecta) — coats and protects the intestinal lining. Safe for children and adults. It interacts with other medicines — take it at least 2 hours apart from them.
• Activated charcoal — adsorbs toxins in the digestive tract. Useful for milder food poisoning. Dosage: 3-6 tablets, repeat after 4 hours.
• Nifuroxazide (Enterofuryl) — an intestinal antiseptic that acts locally in the gut. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, so side effects are minimal. Effective for bacterial diarrhoea.
• Travel probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii) — the only probiotic strain with proven efficacy in preventing traveller’s diarrhoea. Start taking it 5 days before departure.

Rehydration — more important than medicine

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — sachets to dissolve in water. They contain sodium, potassium, glucose and chloride in proportions optimised for absorption. For children, ORS is the number one treatment for diarrhoea — more important than loperamide.
• Drink in small sips, frequently — 200 ml every 15 minutes.
• Avoid fruit juice (its osmolarity worsens diarrhoea), coffee and alcohol.
• If you have no ORS: 1 teaspoon of salt plus 6 teaspoons of sugar in a litre of boiled water. Not ideal, but in an emergency it can be life-saving.

When to see a doctor

• Diarrhoea lasts longer than three days.
• Blood or mucus in the stool.
• Fever above 38.5°C.
• Signs of dehydration in a child: dry mouth, no tears when crying, reduced urine output, drowsiness.

For more on building a complete travel medicine kit — including customs regulations and prescription medicines — see our guide: Travel Medicine Kit — What to Pack for a Trip Abroad.

Heat, dehydration and heatstroke

Summers in Poland are getting hotter. Heatwaves with temperatures above 35°C are no longer rare — records were broken in several cities in 2025. Heat is most dangerous for children, older adults and people taking certain medications (diuretics, blood pressure medicines, antipsychotics), but it can affect anyone who underestimates hydration.

Dehydration — the first warning sign

Dehydration begins before you feel thirsty. The first symptoms are:

• Headache, dizziness.
• Dark, concentrated urine.
• Dry mouth, reduced skin elasticity.
• Fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating.

What to keep in your summer kit for the heat

• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — the same item as for diarrhoea, but for a different reason. During heavy sweating you lose not only water but also sodium and potassium. Water alone is not enough — you need electrolytes.
• Magnesium and potassium tablets — daily supplementation during heatwaves, especially if you exercise or work outdoors.
• Thermometer — measuring body temperature lets you distinguish simple overheating from heatstroke.
• Paracetamol — for headache associated with dehydration and overheating. Ibuprofen is not optimal during dehydration because it places additional strain on the kidneys.

Heatstroke — a medical emergency

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition in which body temperature exceeds 40°C and the body loses its ability to regulate heat. Symptoms include:

• Hot, dry, flushed skin (no sweating!).
• Confusion, altered consciousness.
• Rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting.
• Body temperature above 40°C.

First aid:

1. Call emergency services (112).
2. Move the person into shade or a cool room.
3. Cool the body — wet towels on the neck, armpits and groin. Use a fan or air conditioning.
4. Give small amounts of cool water if the person is conscious.
5. Do NOT give aspirin or paracetamol — they do not work on heatstroke and may worsen the situation.

People taking medication — take note: Some medicines increase the risk of heatstroke. Diuretics accelerate dehydration. Beta-blockers limit the body’s ability to regulate heat. Antipsychotics disrupt thermoregulation. If you or someone close to you takes these medicines, take extra care on hot days.

Summer checklist — everything in one place

Below is the complete list of medicines and supplies that should be in your summer home medicine cabinet. Cut it out, screenshot it, or — better still — add these medicines to mojApteczka and always have them at hand.

Sun protection

• SPF 50 sunscreen (face) and SPF 30 (body)
• Panthenol (foam or cream)
• Ibuprofen 400 mg
• Antihistamine (cetirizine or loratadine)

Insects

• DEET or icaridin repellent
• Dimetindene (Fenistil) gel
• Hydrocortisone 0.5% cream
• Tick remover
• Antiseptic

Digestive system

• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Diosmectite (Smecta)
• Activated charcoal
• Nifuroxazide
• Probiotic (S. boulardii)
• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — at least 6 sachets

Heat and dehydration

• Oral rehydration salts (extra supply)
• Magnesium and potassium
• Paracetamol
• Thermometer

First aid basics

• Waterproof plasters (assorted sizes)
• Elastic bandage
• Wound antiseptic
• Scissors, tweezers

Before you leave: Check the expiry dates of every medicine. If you use mojApteczka, open the app and in seconds you will see what is expiring soon — thanks to expiry date alerts. If something is missing, the medicine substitutes feature will suggest available alternatives at your local pharmacy.

Pack your kit in 20 minutes

Most of the medicines on this list are probably already in your home medicine cabinet. You might be missing just one cream and one box of rehydration salts. But without a system — without a list, without expiry date checks — you do not know what you have and what you are missing. And so every year you end up buying the same things again at the airport for three times the price.

Open mojApteczka, scan your medicines and see what to take with you. The app shows you expiry dates, stock levels and any interactions between your medicines. The whole process takes less time than packing a toiletry bag. The Android app is also available on Google Play.

Have questions about your summer medicine kit? Write to us at kontakt@mojapteczka.pl — we are happy to help!