Frequent travelers can use these smart-packing must-have health essentials when planning their next road trip. Read on to learn what to pack and how to pack it!
Preparing for long-term travel or frequent trips is exciting for most of us, but it can also be nerve-racking if you don’t plan.
This is particularly true if you have any preexisting health conditions, no matter how inconsequential it may seem at home. On the upside, if you’re reading this, it means that you’ve already given some thought to health essentials. Don't forget to pack healthy snacks like an apple if you're vegan or beef jerky if you're on a carnivore diet.
This list will help you get started and ensure that you haven’t overlooked anything.
Health Essentials for Frequent Travelers
Gut Health Essentials:
Diarrhea is the most common gastrointestinal problem in travelers, accounting for about 60% of all tummy-related illnesses in travelers. So, anti-diarrheal medications and expert-recommended probiotics should be at the top of your health essentials packing list.
In addition to these, make sure to include laxatives, as they can spare you a great deal of discomfort if you have trouble with bowel movements in unfamiliar locations. Likewise, Marezine or Dramamine can help if you suffer from motion sickness.
Allergy Medications:
Antihistamines should always be handy, as traveling to new places can expose you to allergens you don’t know about.
An allergic reaction can be triggered by exposure to ingredients in new foods that you try out or because of poor air quality or high pollen levels in some destinations.
If you already suffer from serious allergies, it would also be a good idea to include epinephrine to manage severe reactions.
Pain Management:
From a sore muscle after a long day of exploring to severe lower back pain, having NSAIDs like Advil or Aleve and Tylenol in your bag can be a real lifesaver.
These OTC pain medications can provide quick relief, making it easier to manage pain or discomfort so nothing stops you from having a great time.
Just make sure to avoid mixing alcohol with pain medications. If you have been drinking, try using topical treatments with balms containing ingredients like diclofenac and capsaicin instead.
First Aid Basics:
Despite taking safety precautions, accidents can happen when you’re traveling and trying new activities or sports, so a compact kit with bandages, gauze, tape, and antiseptic is a must-have.
A little preparation now can save you time and stress later when minor mishaps occur.
Respiratory Relief Essentials:
Coughs and colds are among the most common infections, frequently affecting travelers who don’t have immunity to pathogens circulating locally.
Whether caused by infection or exposure to irritants, it helps to be prepared for respiratory problems with a selection of cough drops, cough suppressants, expectorants, or decongestants.
Bug Repellents:
Whether you’re hiking through the countryside or out exploring urban parks, it’s a good idea to keep both child-safe and adult insect repellents, sprays, or creams handy. Mosquito-borne infections are particularly problematic in some regions, so it would also be a good idea to discuss preventive treatments with your doctor.
Skin Protection:
Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher is essential for anyone traveling and spending time outdoors. You can also use UV-protective clothing to protect yourself from sunburn.
In addition to sunscreen, try to carry some calamine lotion along as well to get quick relief from any kind of skin irritation and inflammation.
Hydration Essentials:
Not every part of the world enjoys equal access to safe drinking water, so you must take adequate precautions by carrying water purification tablets or a portable water filter.
These will also prove handy if you’re camping outdoors or backpacking in the wilderness. Carry an oral rehydration solution along as well because dehydration can sometimes strike without much warning.
Eye Care:
There’s nothing worse than having to deal with blurry or poor vision when you’re exploring a beautiful new location with plenty of sights to see.
So, if you rely on contacts or glasses, make sure to pack an extra pair of contacts, cleaning solution, prescription eye drops, and even spare glasses.
Medical Documents:
This is perhaps the least exciting part of packing, but it’s extremely important. Always keep copies of your prescriptions and health insurance details on you when traveling.
These documents can be a real lifesaver in emergencies, giving you one less thing to worry about.