Travelers often ask, ‘What should I pack in a Medical Travel Kit?” or ‘what should I put in a travel first aid kit?” Commercial pre-packaged travel first aid kits are available in a variety of sizes, but we think the best option is to assemble your own travel medical kit that suits your personal health needs and travel habits.
It may take a few trips and trials to refine your kit’s contents, but then you can keep it all together in one compact package to throw in your luggage at a moment’s notice.
My own “travel health kit” has evolved over time, usually by adding items I wish I’d had on a previous trip. Here are some key considerations and items to include:
Medications, even over-the-counter ones, often have different names or formulations in other countries. To avoid confusion, it’s best to bring familiar medications with you. It’s also unlikely that you’ll conveniently find a nearby pharmacy with your language spoken, the right product in stock, and open hours when needed. With the booming world trade in counterfeit medications, you want to avoid unknowingly buying a medication that is not effective, or worse can contain harmful ingredients.
Vaccines offer powerful protection against many diseases and should be part of your pre-travel preparation. Consult a travel health expert who can determine which vaccines you may need for your destination.
Some travel specific medications can be required for certain destinations or activities. These can include medications to prevent malaria or altitude sickness (also called prophylaxis). A travel health expert can provide the best guidance and prescriptions specific to your itinerary.
Travelers frequently request “antibiotics just in case”, but the only recommended antibiotic is to treat travelers’ diarrhea (to take as needed only). Other illnesses that you think may need an antibiotic warrant a proper medical evaluation, especially in tropical regions.
When traveling, ensure your prescription medications are clearly labeled in their original containers. Be careful traveling with controlled substances (like opioids or stimulants), which may be scrutinized and even confiscated in some countries. See your prescriber well in advance of your trip and always carry extra doses in case of unexpected travel delays. Know the TSA rules for flying with medications.
Carry a legible (laminated if possible) card listing your medical conditions, prescription medications, allergies and any implanted devices. Also include contact information for your primary medical provider and emergency contact(s).
ALWAYS carry a fresh Epi-pen® (epinephrine injector) with you if you have any serious allergies. Some destinations may not have nearby emergency care available. Also, consider a medical alert bracelet (even if you only use it for travel). If you become seriously injured or unconscious, you may be unable to communicate any serious medical conditions or allergies.
If you use a CPAP device for sleep apnea, don’t leave it at home. Fortunately, modern CPAP machines are smaller and more portable. Restful sleep is even more critical when you are traveling or sleeping at an increased altitude.
Also known as analgesics, these medications may have unfamiliar names abroad. I suggest packing a small amount of ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen, whichever works better for you. Familiarize yourself with the maximum safe dosage of each.
Loperamide (Imodium®) is an essential treatment for travelers’ diarrhea, and a MUST HAVE item for anyone traveling to a resource poor country where you can’t drink the water. Even the local food is sometimes enough to make you “irregular”. Use it cautiously to avoid constipation.
An altered eating routine and unfamiliar foods can mess with your digestive tract. Everyone has their own unique gut habits and food tolerances. Personalize choices to your own needs. Chewable bismuth salicylate (Pepto Bismol®) can help with a variety of symptoms, from diarrhea to heartburn.
Most mild upper respiratory infections (like a cold) will get better on their own, but the symptoms can be a nuisance. OTC cold preparations are numerous, but I recommend oxymetazoline (generic for Afrin®) nasal spray (DO NOT use for more than 3 or 4 days in a row) and lozenges for sore throat and/or irritating cough. Both can help you get much needed sleep.
Numerous OTC choices are available and can be helpful if you encounter unfamiliar allergens at your destination or accommodations. Most antihistamines can cause sedation as a side effect, which could be a benefit if you have trouble sleeping on long haul flights.
Some travelers are prone to motion sickness on boats, in vehicles or even snorkeling or diving. Both prescription and OTC preventive medications are available. See my blog about motion sickness medications for more detailed suggestions.
Insect repellent is crucial for protection against insect-borne diseases like Malaria or Dengue Fever. Make sure your insect repellant is a long acting formulation containing either DEET or Picaridin as an active ingredient.
Don’t expect a travel first aid kit to cover every possible emergency; you DON’T need to have every possible thing in it (even if you always pack a prom dress – “just in case”). Plan for likely situations (such as sun, insect bites, terrain, boat rides) and only include things that you regularly use, would grab out of your own medicine cabinet, or have used within the last year. Here are some suggestions:
A personal Travel First Aid Kit should include a few basic items to treat minor physical injuries. Don’t go overboard. Minor skin wounds should be cleaned and covered immediately, until you have time to get them treated more thoroughly if needed. Here are some items to consider:
An illness or injury can significantly impact your travel experience. Think ahead and be prepared with some basic knowledge and a few compact items in your travel medical and first aid kit. Visit www.travelbughealth.com/ for more travel health tips and advice.
Article by TravelBug Health
