1 Hydrocortisone 1% cream

What's it good for? It helps to soothe all sorts of skin inflammation. It's useful, for example, for sunburn that isn't responding to the usual calamine, or eczema, which can flare up in the heat.

How do I use it? Apply thinly once or twice a day.

What should I look out for? Make sure you know what you're treating -

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it can make some fungal problems, such as athlete's foot worse.

Where to buy Hc45 Hydrocortisone Cream, expresschemist.co.uk , £3.49 for 15g

2 Loperamide

What's it good for? It will ease diarrhoea, whatever the cause. So whether your irritable bowel has flared up, you've overdone the spicy stuff or you're suffering food poisoning - loperamide should help.

How do I use it? Take two 2mg capsules or tablets straight away, then one after each episode of diarrhoea, but no more than eight a day in total.

What should I look out for? Stop them when the diarrhoea is over, otherwise you'll end up unable to go at all.

Where to buy Imodium plus caplets, boots.com , £5.95 for 12

3 Antacid

What's it good for? Antacids will relieve indigestion and heartburn, which, thanks to the overeating and overdrinking, are a traditional part of the summer holiday .

How do I use it? It depends on what you've bought - follow the instructions on the leaflet. Most are taken as and when needed. Liquids usually work faster than tablets, but aren't so portable.

What should I look out for? If you're over 40 and are suffering a severe attack of “indigestion”, and if you feel unwell and the antacids aren't touching it, it's time to try out the local casualty department: you might be having a heart attack.

Where to buy Rennie soft chews, boots.com , £2.69 for 24

4 Ibuprofen

What's it good for? A hundred and one different aches and pains, including migraine, hangover headache, strains and sprains, toothache, period pains and backache. Child-friendly versions are good for reducing a fever, too.

How do I use it? The usual adult dose is two 200mg tablets, three or four times a day. For children, check the label on the bottle.

What should I look out for? Make sure you take it with food, and avoid it if you're over 65 or you suffer from indigestion or tummy ulcers - it might stir up gastric trouble.

Where to buy Ibuprofren 200mg tablets, boots.com , £0.37 for 16

5 Antihistamines

What are they good for? Allergic reactions, such as the painful after-effects of a wasp sting, or the itchy rash from insect bites. It will also help with hay fever.

How do I use them? That depends on which antihistamine you've bought. What should I look out for? Antihistamines don't work for every itchy rash. They won't cure prickly heat, for example.

Where to buy Allergy relief Antihistamine Tablets, boots.com , £2.99 for 30 tablets

6 Hyoscine

What's it good for? Travel sickness - whether your mode of transport is car, boat, plane, or camel.

How do I use it? Tablets should be taken about 30 minutes before you leave. There is a patch form of hyoscine that is placed behind the ears six hours before travel, and lasts up to three days. It's suitable only for adults and children over 10, and requires a prescription.

What should I look out for? It can cause drowsiness and blurred vision, so avoid driving after taking a dose.

Where to buy Travel Calm Tablets, boots.com , £2.49 for 12

7 Paracetamol

What's it good for? This traditional mild painkiller is useful for any minor ache or pain, and, although it's not an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, it does have the advantage of not causing indigestion or tummy upsets. How do I use it? The adult dose is one to two 500mg tablets every four hours, up to a maximum of eight a day. For child-friendly versions, check the instructions on the packet.

What should I look out for? Not much - it's virtually side-effect free.

Where to buy Paracetamol caps, boots.com , £0.69 for 32 tablets

8 Levonelle One Step: the morning-after pill

What's it good for? To salvage the situation when, say, an overdose of sangria overcame common contraceptive sense. It's 99 per cent effective.

How do I use it? Take a single tablet within 72 hours of the “accident”.

What should I look out for? It might not be effective if you vomit within two hours of taking it; if so, seek medical advice. For the rest of your cycle use further contraception, and if your next period is late, take a pregnancy test.

Where to buy Levonelle One Step, pharmacists nationwide, about £22

9 Aqueous cream

What's it good for? It's an excellent all-round moisturiser which will help with skin that has become dry through burning, soaking, sweating or dehydrating. It will help to settle a flare-up of eczema, too.

How do I use it? You can't overdose on it - use as much as you like.

What should I look out for? More severe rashes and irritations may require hydrocortisone cream or an antifungal, see above.

Where to buy Aqueous cream, boots.com , £2.25

10 Your regular medication

What's it good for? Making sure that you don't have a relapse of any ongoing illness. And that you don't waste your holiday cash forking out over the counter.

How do I use it? You should know this already. Bear in mind that urgent stocks obtained abroad may be in a different form or dose from your usual treatment, so make sure you get adequate instructions.

What should I look out for? Don't leave it too late to order a regular supply from your GP.

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