My family and I love to travel to exotic locations. With our hectic schedules and limited time for vacations, we try to pack in as much activity as possible during our short journeys abroad. One of the most helpful items to have on hand while we travel is a first aid kit. Ours isn’t a basic first aid kit with just bandages and first aid cream. It encompasses much more. As a family physician — and a mom — I have some advice on what to keep in your first aid kit.
1. The vast majority of illnesses overseas are gastrointestinal related. Therefore, I include medicines such as Loperamide, fiber and bismuth subsalicylate, which specifically help manage both diarrhea and constipation. Keep in mind that some of these pink medicines will make your tongue and stools turn black for a short period of time. This goes away when you stop taking the medicine, but it’s helpful to know in case you see this happen to you. Before starting any medicine, you should consult your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or are taking aspirin, because it can interact with other medications.
[See: 8 Secrets of People Who Don’t Get Sick.]
Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic to take in case you experience travelers’ diarrhea. Make sure you understand exactly how you’re supposed to take the medication and when to start it.
Remember the best way to prevent traveler’s diarrhea is to eat foods that are freshly prepared and hot. And as always, it’s best to wash your hands or sanitize them with an alcohol-based sanitizer before you eat. Be prepared, because it’s no fun to travel to an exotic location and miss out on the amazing food because your stomach is upset.
If you experience diarrhea that won’t go away, or signs of dehydration such as dizziness or an inability to keep fluids down, you should seek medical treatment abroad.
2. The next category of illnesses has to do with the respiratory tract. This can range from mild allergies due to changes in the weather to a cold. I carry a generic antihistamine such as loratadine or diphenhydramine. I also carry some combination cold medications.
Carrying a pain reliever can also be helpful. This is beneficial for mild fever, discomfort or achiness from traveling. And don’t forget to pack a digital thermometer. I’ve found that the “hand on the forehead” technique can be imprecise when it comes to recognizing a fever.
[See: What to Eat, Drink and Do to Relieve Constipation.]
3. The last travel ailments category is skin and muscle issue, such as cuts, stings or bruises. In case of these troubles, I like to keep an elastic wrap, a small bottle of liquid bandage, a few adhesive bandages and a small tube of triple antibiotic ointment. I also like to carry some bandages for the blisters that result from exploring, plus a small tube of anti-itch cream (hydrocortisone) for the mosquitoes that are attracted to members of my family.
Other medications I like to have on hand are melatonin, which helps with sleep and jet lag issues — particularly useful when traveling across time zones. For those who experience queasiness and plan to be out on the water, it’s best to be prepared with some over-the-counter motion sickness medicine. On the flipside, if you’ll be traveling to mountains and other elevated areas, prepare for altitude sickness. Traveling to a location with mosquitoes? Take medication to prevent malaria. This is usually prescribed by a doctor and needs to be started in advance of your trip.
It’s very good advice to check with your primary care doctor or a local travel clinic before you go on any type of vacation. You might be in need of a few vaccines that you weren’t aware of. And, of course, if any family members are currently taking any medications, it’s important we make sure to pack the right amount for the duration of our trip, along with enough for a few days extra for any unexpected travel delays.
[See: Your Guide to Over-the-Counter Pain Relief.]
While we can’t always prepare for unexpected illnesses that occur while on vacation, we can prepare for many of the common ones that may make a trip less enjoyable. And when you only have a few weeks to spend together with your family, you don’t want anything to stand in the way of that special time.
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For Your Next Trip, Plan Ahead With a First Aid Kit originally appeared on usnews.com
