What first-aid kit should I bring to Morocco?

A compact, well-chosen first-aid kit is one of the most useful things in your luggage, and you don't need a field hospital — just the right basics so a minor problem doesn't derail a day. Top of my list, because it's the most common ailment, is everything for stomach trouble: oral rehydration salts (genuinely the single most important item, since dehydration in the heat is the real danger), an anti-diarrhoeal such as loperamide for travel days, and an antacid. Pair those with general painkillers — paracetamol and ibuprofen cover fever, headaches, and aches.

Then the everyday-mishap layer. Antihistamines (for bites, mild allergic reactions, and dust), antiseptic wipes or cream, a range of plasters, and serious blister care — those last two earn their keep if you're walking medinas all day or trekking, where blisters are practically guaranteed. Add motion-sickness tablets, because Morocco's winding mountain roads and long desert transfers undo even strong stomachs, and a small pair of tweezers and scissors. Hand sanitiser deserves a spot too, given how much hand hygiene cuts stomach bugs.

Now the Morocco-specific items the climate demands. High-SPF sunscreen is non-negotiable — the sun in the desert and at altitude is fierce and unforgiving — along with a good lip balm, after-sun, and rehydration sachets for heat as much as illness. Bring insect repellent for the mosquitoes (a nuisance, not a malaria risk here) and, if you're heading into the desert or mountains, a little extra: rehydration, sun protection, and basic wound care matter more the further you are from a pharmacy.

Finally, the personal and the paperwork. Carry all your own prescription medication in its original labelled packaging with that doctor's letter, plus a small supply of anything you reach for at home, and keep the essentials in your carry-on rather than the hold. Pharmacies across Morocco are excellent for topping up most of the above once you're there, so don't over-pack — but do build the kit before you fly, and run it past your doctor or travel clinic so it fits your health, your destinations, and any conditions you're managing.