When I travel, I’m ‘that’ girl. The one with the checklist. The one barking orders at my teen girls to check just one more time that they have packed their sunscreen and their bathing suits. The one who is in charge of the passports. I’m the one with the big carry-on stuffed full of essentials and a travel first aid kit we can’t live without because I want to be ready for whatever the world or trip may throw at as! I’m also the one who gets the big THANK YOU’s when that first aid kit gets used. Why? Because in real life, accidents, illness, stuff…it just happens.
When I pack my family for a trip to the sunny south, beyond including the essential clothes and documents needed for travel, I also always throw in a small yet fairly complete first aid kit. In travel, as in life, it’s always better to be prepared! Here are my recommendations for what to include in a travel first aid kit:
- All prescription medications
- Hand Sanitizer and Anti-Bacterial Hand Wipes – great for the planes or for quick hand cleans when their is no water available
- Gum, mints and earplugs – for popping ears on airplanes
- Band-Aids of varying sizes including blister bandaids
- Gauze Pads
- Topical Antibiotic – Polysporin or any other travel size topical antibiotic for cuts and scrapes
- Antiseptic wound cleanser or small alcohol pads- for cleansing wounds
- Ear drops – over the counter product for swimmers ear can save your trip
- Tensor wrap – for sprains or strains
- Tweezers
- Digital Thermometer
- Advil/Tylonel
- Gravol
- Oral rehydration solution packets
- An Antidiarrheal Medication – Immodium
- Tums/Rolaids
- Hydrocortisone cream – for minor skin irritation
- Antihistamine – such as Benadryl
- Bug Spray including DEET
- After Bite
- Aloe – for possible sunburns
- Lip Balm – for chapped lips or sunburned lips
- Cough or Cold and Flu Medicine
- Throat Lozenges
- Orajel – for unexpected tooth pain
- Ziplock bags – handy should you ever need to make an icepack
- Tiger Balm – for headaches or sore muscles
- Wax – for that teen with braces
Also be sure to include:
- Copies of all prescriptions – incase you need to replace one that gets lost
- Copy of your travel and health insurance
- Emergency phone numbers – Doctor, pharmacist, emergency contacts at home
When packing be sure to check the travel section of your grocery and drug store, scope out the dollar store or even ask your family physician if they have samples they can share. Fold boxes down to their smallest sizes, making them even smaller by securing them with elastics. Buy small sizes, but be prepared. You may never need your first aid kit, but if you do, you or someone you love will be so happy you took the time to put together a first class travel first aid kit. Healthy travels!
Debbie White Beattie says
Wow and I thought I was thorough but you’ve done an amazing list here
Jay M says
That’s a big list! Love Ziploc bags for traveling. One of my favourite tips for traveling is to use contact cases for creams and gels.
Katie says
this is great! i am a nurse and to be honest i just pack my whole medicine cabinet in my suitcase i think of any possible illness that could happen. But having a actual list of what is important is better
Baby says
Thank you for sharing. I alway take a first aid kit with my when I travel but I do take out a lot of extra items when my bag is too heavy. This is very helpful!!
Jennifer Lo says
lots of great tips! thanks
Vicki says
Great list! I am adding some of your items on my master list!
Tracy Rafuse says
I always find it important to travel with a First Aid Kit,its better to be prepared
Debbie S. says
Wow, amazing list. Great idea to go prepared, you never know. Thanks, I will definitely refer to this list when I book a nice holiday!
heidi c. says
I definitely need to put a kit together with all these items.
Mary Anne LaRocque-Ouamar says
I like Tylenol and or advil. Bandaids, handsanitizer, wipes and kleenex. Lotion, tweezers and nail clippers and baggies.
Chandra O'Connor says
I don’t want travelers rush to the bathroom surprise!
sarah alexis says
I love feeling prepared. It makes the trip WAAYYYYY more relaxing! I am that girl with the checklist too! – AND PROUD OF IT 🙂
Suzie M says
That’s quite the list, but you always end up needing several things on it so best to go with it all
nicky says
this is a great list – always good to have these items on hand for emergencies. thanks!
Anne Taylor says
Now this is a list to keep in case we go somewhere with our grandkids! Thanks! It makes for a great reference!