On the Go: Health Essentials Every Traveler Needs

Every traveler knows the scenario: In the rush to pack the car or catch a flight, you forget the small, but comforting essentials. You don’t miss them until midnight, when you’re queasy from a big restaurant meal and no Pepto-Bismol or pharmacy is in sight. Preparing for unforeseen health issues takes time, but your peace of mind is worth it.

“I don’t want to add to the stress of travel, but smart planning can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable,” says Sarah Flory, MSN, APRN. As Director of Clinical Operations for UHealth Clinics at Walgreens, Flory’s advice will help streamline your packing process.

Contain the contents.

While Flory doesn’t recommend “bringing the whole medicine cabinet with you,” she does suggest organizing your medicine and health items in a transparent, resealable bag. Getting through airport security is easier when inspectors can see the contents. On that note, follow the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirement by carrying liquids in 3.4-ounce containers.

“If you’re traveling with an infant or toddler and need to carry more than 3.4 ounces of breast milk or formula, bring a letter of necessity from your child’s doctor. This letter will smooth encounters with TSA agents and your airline,” Flory says, adding, “Travelers can find a wealth of information on the TSA website.”

When packing your suitcase, she suggests including these over-the-counter items:

• Pain relievers such as Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen
• Antacids
• Antidiarrheal medication
• Stool softeners, if you get constipated while traveling
• Antacids
• Antihistamine or other allergy medicine
• First aid items: bandages, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes

If your plans include outdoor activities, add sunscreen, bug spray, and over-the-counter anti-itch medication for bug bites and rashes. People prone to motion or altitude sickness should pack medication to prevent and/or relieve their symptoms.

Keep these in your carry-on.

When flying to your destination, pack prescription medications in your carry-on bag. Flory suggests bringing extra medication in case your return trip is delayed. On road trips, don’t leave medication in a hot car. “Medications should not be kept in temperatures exceeding 80 degrees,” Flory says. Medicines requiring refrigeration can travel in a tight-fitting cooler with ice.

Air travelers benefit from compression socks to ward off blood clots, especially on long flights. “Bring hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes to swab down high-touch surfaces like tray tables and armrests, too. A toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste are refreshing on a long flight, and refilling a reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated,” Flory says.

You may not want to mask up, but COVID-19, flu, colds, and other viruses are still around. On a crowded plane with recirculating air, a mask offers additional protection for those with chronic disease or immunocompromised conditions.

International considerations.

When your plans include overseas travel, your packing list may need to expand. “It depends on your destination’s access to medical care and sanitation. You may need to bring additional prescription or over-the-counter medication. If you’re an adventurous eater, you may also need to bring antibiotics. See your healthcare provider a few weeks before departure or make an in-person or virtual doctor’s appointment at a UHealth Clinic at Walgreens,” Flory says.

Remember, some countries may not sell the medications you’re familiar with at home. Packing extra saves you from searching for an alternative or a pharmacist who speaks your language.

Globetrotting to specific locations may require vaccines Americans don’t typically need.  

“UHealth Clinics provide a full suite of vaccines for diseases such as typhoid, mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis, and hepatitis A, which protects you if you’re exposed to contaminated water,” Flory says. The clinics also provide medication for malaria, a mosquito-borne disease. An important caveat: “You must start taking malaria medication weeks ahead of travel,” Flory says, adding, “Do your homework on the CDC Traveler’s Health website to learn what vaccines they recommend for your destination.”

Travel can take a toll on your health. If you’re not feeling well after returning home, Flory recommends seeing a doctor. “Maybe your ears are still popping from air travel, you caught a cold, or your stomach doesn’t feel right. Our clinics also offer consultations after travel.” 

Kid-friendly travel kits.

Bumps, bruises, cuts, and scrapes are part of childhood. That’s why Flory, a mother of two, always packs a wound care kit with bandages and antibiotic ointment. Calamine lotion for close encounters with poison ivy or other rash-inducing plants also makes her list, as does water-resistant sunscreen and aloe for soothing sunburn.

She reminds parents that kids generally require liquid medications and different doses based on their weight and age.

Medical equipment and mobility.

“If you travel with a portable oxygen concentrator, notify your airline in advance, allow extra time to get through security, and bring a letter of necessity from your doctor,” Flory says.

Airlines, cruise ships, and trains can accommodate travelers with mobility issues if you tell them ahead of time that you will need assistance.

What’s in your “go” bag?

If there’s one type of travel all Floridians dread, it’s storm evacuations. Minimize the stress of last-minute preparations by planning ahead for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30.

“I set a calendar reminder for May 1 to inventory my supplies and to toss and replace expired items,” Flory says. “I pack storm supplies in big plastic bins and store them inside the house, not in a shed or attic that is not climate controlled.”

Whether packing a bag or bin, include two weeks of prescription medicine in case you have to evacuate and can’t return home immediately. Make sure your portable medical equipment works properly, and have a plan of where you will go if you lose power and don’t have a generator.

Written by Nancy Moreland, a regular contributor to UHealth. She has written for several major health care systems and the CDC. Her writing also appears in the Chicago Tribune and U.S. News & World Report.

Tags: Packing Health Essentials, Sarah Flory, Travel Health Checklist, Travel Health Precautions, Traveler's Health Guide