When you are going to be away from home, you should prepare a traveling health kit. Your traveling health kit has two purposes: to let you continue to take care of pre-existing medical conditions and to treat minor health problems that may arise while you are away.
The contents of your traveling health kit will vary based on where you are going, how long you’ll be away, and your own personal health issues. For example, if you tend to get headaches more frequently than an upset stomach, it will be more important for you to have a painkiller than a remedy for indigestion.
Medications to include:
- Any personal prescription medications in their original bottles. You may want to bring copies of all prescriptions and the names of any generic equivalents. Certain medications may require a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead for travel.
- Anti-malarial medication if you are traveling to an area where malaria is a danger.
- Anti-diarrheal medication.
- Antihistamine and/or decongestant.
- Anti-motion sickness medication.
- Painkiller like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. (Can also be used for reducing fever.)
- Antacids or other treatment for upset stomach. A mild laxative may also be useful.
- Cough drops or throat lozenges.
- Antibiotic ointment for injuries.
- Hydrocortisone cream for itching.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also recommend bringing an antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate or severe diarrhea. If someone you are traveling with has a history of severe allergic reactions, you may also want to bring an epinephrine auto-injector, also known as an EpiPen.
You may also want to bring these other items:
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Digital thermometer
- Basic first-aid items like bandages, gauze, antiseptic, tweezers, and scissors
- Antibacterial hand wipes, baby wipes, or sanitizing hand gel
- Lubricating eye drops
- A mild sleep aid
- Latex condoms
You should also try to obtain the address and phone number for hospitals or emergency care clinics at your destination.
If assembling your own traveling medical kit seems like a little too much work, you can purchase pre-assembled health kits from the following suppliers. Keep in mind that a pre-assembled kit may not include all the things you desire; you may need to supplement the contents.
- Adventure Medical Kits: www.adventuremedicalkits.com
- Chinook Medical Gear: www.chinookmed.com
- Harris International Health Care: www.safetravel.com
- Travel Medicine, Inc.: www.travmed.com
- Wilderness Medicine Outfitters www.wildernessmedicine.com