Tis the season for gathering with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, which means many of us will be traveling and lodging away from home. As you prepare to set out by land or by air to your destinations, it’s important that the health of you and others remains a top priority.
When packing for any trip away from home, always think about where you are going and the access you will have to certain health items and supplies. A traveler’s health kit is a great way to make sure you have the items you require specific to you and your family’s health needs and in case of an unexpected illness or injury. The CDC shares the list below to help you prepare for your trip.
Medicines
- Pack your prescription medications in your carry-on luggage
- Pack copies of all prescriptions, including the generic names for medications
- Pack a note on letterhead stationery from the prescribing physician for controlled substances and injectable medications
- Prescription medicines you usually take
- If you have a severe allergy and epinephrine has been prescribed by your doctor, bring your epinephrine auto-injector (for example, an EpiPen)
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Antidiarrheal medication (for example, bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
- Antihistamine
- Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
- Anti-motion sickness medication
- Medicine for pain or fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen)
- Mild laxative
- Cough suppressant/expectorant
- Cough drops
- Antacid
- Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
- 1% hydrocortisone cream
Other important items to pack
These items may be useful in certain circumstances:
- Supplies to prevent illness or injury
- Insect repellent containing DEET (30%-50%) or picaridin (up to 15%)
- Sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or greater) that has both UVA and UVB protection
- Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
- Lubricating eye drops
- First-aid supplies
- Basic first-aid items (bandages, gauze, ace bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators)
- Moleskin for blisters
- Aloe gel for sunburns
- Digital thermometer
- Oral rehydration solution packets
- Health insurance card and copies of claim forms
- Mild sedative or other sleep aid
- Medicine to prevent altitude sickness
- Water purification tablets
- Commercial suture/syringe kits to be used by local health care provider. (These items will also require a letter on letterhead stationery from the prescribing physician.)
- Child safety seats
We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday. For more information about holiday travel health and safety, click here.