First Aid Kit and Medication for American Samoa
Travelling to a tropical country like American Samoa comes with a higher risk of health issues, most commonly, sunburn, heatstroke and mosquito bites. Plus, with travellers to American Samoa choosing to be pretty active during their visit, accidents and injuries can happen.
With all of this in mind, it’s a good idea to be prepared for minor injuries and illnesses with your own travel first aid kit for American Samoa.
We go through the essential medications to pack for a trip to American Samoa in the checklist below.
Table of Contents
10 Essential Health Tips for Travelling in American Samoa
- Boiling water before drinking is advised. Alternatively, use a Lifestraw Bottle or one of the other methods discussed in Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa LINK#TT025?
- Speaking of water, be sure to drink plenty – at least 2 litres (68 oz) every two to three hours to stay hydrated.
- If you’re feeling unwell, be proactive and see a local doctor immediately.
- Taking a couple of paracetamol and a nasal decongestant spray 30 minutes before a flight can help with flu-like symptoms and ear pain.
- Take sensible precautions. For example, cover yourself and/or use insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites and wear sunscreen.
- Carry medicines in your hand luggage in case your check-in luggage is lost.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have allergies or a chronic illness.
- If you are treated in American Samoa, obtain a full written medical report for your travel insurer.
- If travelling with an infant, pack your usual brand of baby formula, as a change in diet may lead to bowel complications.
- If you become ill after returning home, tell your doctor that you have visited American Samoa.
Our final tip is to check out our American Samoa Safety Tips LINK#TT027 for much more advice.
American Samoa Travel First Aid Kit Checklist
Although you can get first aid kits at pretty much any pharmacy, they are generic and often only include enough to deal with a couple of cuts. We like to create our own first aid kit that has been adapted to our destination, in this case, American Samoa, as well as to our personal needs.
Our example American Samoa first aid kit includes a few prescribed medications, so make sure to book an appointment with your GP and get these prescriptions sorted.
What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for American Samoa
- Vaccination passport – For a record of your vaccinations LINK#TT026
- Band-aids/plasters – For cuts
- Disinfectant wipes – For cuts
- Gauzes – For cuts
- Gloves – For cuts
- Butterfly closures – For small wounds
- Antiseptic cream/spray – For infected cuts (spray preferred in hot climates)
- Tweezers – To remove shards, leeches, and bugs
- Thermometer – To monitor temperature
- Elastic wraps – For twisted ankles
- Flight socks – To prevent swollen ankles
- Paracetamol/ibuprofen – For headaches and fevers
- Antihistamine pills or cream – For mosquito bites
- Oral rehydration sachets – Medical electrolytes for dehydration from sun or gastro bugs
- Baby electrolytes – For dehydration in infants
- Antacids – For neutralising stomach acid
- Antidiarrhoeal pills – For diarrhoea (e.g. loperamide)
- Nasal drops – For congestion
- Hydrocortisone cream – For allergic rashes
- Aloe vera soothing cream – For sunburn
- Hand sanitiser – When clean water is not available
- Multivitamins – For a vitamin boost if dietary intake is poor
- Emergency numbers – American Samoa Police & Emergency: 911 (or +685 911)
- Antibiotics – If recommended by your GP
Other Medication and Health Products to Pack for American Samoa
While not necessarily needed in your "first aid kit" for American Samoa, these other medications and health products are also handy to have with you.
Sunscreen
With UV levels of 9-11+ in American Samoa LINK#TT058, it’s crucial that you protect yourself and your loved ones from sun exposure in order to avoid sunburn or heatstroke.
It’s recommended to use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, which should be applied thickly every three hours or soon after being in the water. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that’s safe for marine life in American Samoa too and bring this from home, as reef-safe sunscreen is hard to come by in American Samoa.
Check out examples of safe sunscreen to use in The Best Sunscreens for American Samoa + Sun Protection Tips LINK#TT024.
Insect Repellent
It’s important to avoid mosquito bites in American Samoa as much as possible, as mosquito-related diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya do occur.
Check out our recommended mosquito repellents in the 10 Best Insect Repellents for American Samoa LINK#TT023.
Iodine (Water-Purifying) Tablets
As a precaution for drinking water from a tap or any other potentially unsafe source, iodine tablets dissolved in water helps remove some bacteria and viruses from the water.
This is not 100% effective though so, when possible, boil water for at least 10 minutes before drinking it. Get more tips for finding safe drinking water in Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa? LINK#TT025
Glasses/Contact Lenses
It’s always a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses or spare sets of contact lenses, in case you lose or damage your glasses and/or contact lenses.
Seasickness Pills
If you are going out on dive or fishing trips or are usually prone to seasickness and are taking the ferry, you may want to pack a few seasickness pills so you enjoy the whole trip!
Prescription Medication
Finally, remember your prescription medication. It’s a good idea to bring medication in the original packaging with the label for whom it is prescribed, just in case you are asked about your medication at the border.
As an extra precaution, get your GP/doctor to sign and date a letter describing your medical conditions and medications, including their generic names, should you need more prescribed medication while in American Samoa (but we recommend taking enough for your whole trip plus a few extras).
More Health Tips and What to Pack for American Samoa
That's it for our complete medication packing list for American Samoa but by no means the end of our advice! Check out the following guides for more handy tips:
- What to Pack for American Samoa: Full American Samoa Packing List LINK#TT021
- Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to American Samoa?LINK#TT026
- The Best Sunscreens for American Samoa + Sun Protection Tips LINK#TT024
Finally, get more essential tips from the 30 Tips for Travelling in American Samoa LINK#TT042 and The Complete Travel Guide to American Samoa LINK#TT038.
