My idea of travel preparedness doesn’t always take into account the many mishaps that could potentially occur when venturing away from home. Because of this, I often find myself scrambling to find items locally, all while cursing myself in the process. If this sounds like you, listen up, because we took a peek into the suitcases of doctors to see just what lifesaving items they keep on hand whenever they go on vacation.
This might go without saying, but according to Dr. Sterling N. Ransone Jr., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a full-time family physician in Deltaville, Virginia, having a really good grasp on your specific medical conditions or allergies and the medications needed to treat them is absolutely essential to vacationing safely. (The American Academy of Family Physicians does not endorse any products or services.)
“It’s important to include a one- to two-day day supply of medications taken for chronic conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Things happen. You never know when your luggage may be lost or stolen. A small supply in your first aid kit will relieve worry until your doctor’s office can arrange for a refill near you,” Ransone told HuffPost.
He said that this list can include things like epipens, inhalers, glucose kits or aids used to treat coronary issues.
Outside of the realm of medicine, Ransone also said that he packs copies of identifications, passports and health insurance cards for each person traveling. “You never know when you may need to seek care due to accident or illness. It’s also good to have extra copies on hand in case you fall victim to theft,” he said.
You can keep unpacking Ransone’s luggage in the list below, in addition to seeing the travel recommendations of a couple other physicians, too. (The AAFP doesn’t endorse specific products or services, so we’ve chosen products that align with Ransone’s advice.) This thorough yet travel-friendly lineup of products and gadgets takes into account every fall, scrape, sprain and cough that you might encounter whether you’re on the beaches of Tahiti or scaling the Rocky Mountains.
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Ransone also recommends what he calls “buddy tape,” which are cushioned bandages that can be useful for stabilizing jammed or sprained toes and fingers.
For a more affordable alternative, Orient also said that she uses the RADTriage FIT card, which can fit in your pocket or wallet.
These towelettes each contain 30% DEET, one of the most reliable ingredients used to repel Lyme-carrying ticks, and can be rubbed onto exposed patches of skin to provide up to seven hours of protection. The water-based formula is low-odor, non-greasy and non-staining.
“Talk with your family physician if there are vaccines you should get before traveling to parts of the world where these infections are common,” Ransone added.
These popular bandages are already conveniently infused with the infection-fighting power of Neosporin and offer a four-sided seal to offer even greater protection against dirt and germs.
This particular option comes highly rated on Amazon, is made with BPA-free plastic and features a leak-proof drink spout.
This portable set features seven stainless steel tools and has nearly 10,300 five-star-ratings on Amazon. Some reviewers on Amazon have been able to fly with this this in their carry-on, however, you should check with your specific airline to see if you would need to pop this into your checked luggage instead.
As always, first speak with your medical provider before taking these chewable tablets and closely follow the dosage instructions provided by the company.
This 100-count bottle contains 25mg capsules and has an impressively high rating on Amazon. If you decide to add this to your shopping cart, be sure to consult with your doctor first before taking any antihistamine and closely follow the recommended dosage instructions.