Pack Your Travel Health Kit!

May 27, 2008

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, welcome to the unofficial start of summer. Whether you’re going on vacation now or later in the summer, packing the right stuff is essential. I don’t know about you, but in my rush to get out the door for play and rejuvenation, I often forget to bring the basic travel health necessities.

But this year, I am making a fresh start and already have started assembling my personal kit.

It’s important for all of us to carry some type of health kit, even if it only contains first-aid items. For those who have asthma, allergies or chronic health conditions, with symptoms that flare up during the summer, it is even more important to pack up health supplies before you head for the sun and water. Here is a run down of what to include in your summer health kit:

Medication supplies: I can’t tell you how many calls I have received over the years from patients asking me if I could call in a prescription to an out of state pharmacy because they forgot to bring their heart medications. If you have to take more than one prescription medication, it might be helpful to carry pills in smaller-sized bottles. Ask your physician if he or she can write a “travel prescription.” This is a better alternative than throwing all your meds into a pill case, which mixes up pills. Plus, using your prescription bottle ensures that all of that important information (about strength, dosage, etc.) remains on the bottle in case you need to show it to a physician.

Also, be sure to bring extra medication in case your trip home is delayed. After all, who hasn’t been delayed at the airport recently?! And it’s easy to forget to take your medicine while vacationing, so set your cell phone’s alarm to receive alerts at the appropriate times.

Asthma and allergy medications: Talk to your physician about whether you should carry antihistamines, bronchodilators or corticosteroids. Also ask if it is appropriate for you to carry injectable epinephrine in the event of an allergic reaction to food, or an insect or bee sting. It's often when you need these the most, that you can't find them!

Nasal spray: Planes and hotel rooms are notorious for having dry air. People with allergies and asthma, especially, should bring saline nasal spray to treat a dry nose and throat.

Sunscreen: A bad sunburn can ruin a trip. Remember to carry two bottles of sunscreen of at least SPF 15. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays are more intense during the summer and that it’s easier to burn at higher altitudes, and in areas closer to the equator. There’s no such thing as a healthy tan!

Medical information: Make sure you write down the names of the prescription drugs you take, including the dose and your physician’s name in case you lose your medications while traveling. Also, depending on your health status, you might even want to check with your doctor to see if he or she can give you the name of a physician or hospital at your travel destination.

Basic first aid kit: A basic kit should include different-sized bandages and supplies such as tape, scissors and splints. You might also want to include an instant cold pack, latex gloves, and antiseptic spray. Don’t forget over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen and anti-diarrhea medicines. It’s when you need these the most, that you won’t be able to find a local drugstore.

Not sure if you have everything you need? Ask your regular doctor prior to travel for more advice.

Having these sorts of health supplies with you on the road not only protects you in the event of a health problem, it also gives you that extra peace of mind so you can focus on relaxing.

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About Dr. John Whyte

Comments

[Johnny]

Great article John.

I keep telling my co-workers to remember most of these things you mentioned when they go on vacation.. then I see them the day after and they look like fried lobsters (no sunscreen, and no energy left!)

[Trevorz]

I will like to see more nutritional info spoken by our MD's as shown in our trevorz.com site for we know to be healthy, we must review our not only what we eat, but the Lifelong baggage we carry and get help to get rid of them. Then we can pack to travel

[ely perez]

For First Aid, I strongly recommend having a KytoStat bandage. KytoStat is as easy to use as a regular bandage. Through a unique manufacturing process an adhesive natures forms on the bandages and red blood cells are drawn to the bandage, creating a seal over the wound that forms a tight bond and stops the bleeding immediately. For more information, please visit http://www.kytostat.com.

[New York Girl]

This is really helpful!!! I hate it when I forget stuff like allergy medication and sunblock. Another helpful tip: At the start of summer, I like to head to the drug store to stock up on travel-size sunblock, mini band-aid packages, headache medicine, bug spray, etc. That way I can easily carry this stuff on long vacations or even short day trips to the beach or woods.

[Claudine]

Good advice, I had an incident in which an old cut (not too old) began bleeding in the airport. I had to run around trying to find a bandage for it.