Travel Medicine Kit

Be prepared when traveling

No matter where you plan to travel, it is always wise to pack a small medical kit with certain essentials that may be required during your trip. If you are currently taking any medications, you should be sure to bring enough with you to last your entire stay. Frequently, medications that are common in the US might not be readily available abroad, and foreign substitutes might not be manufactured under the same quality standards. Also be sure to pack an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses along with any needed cleaning and disinfectant solutions.

First aid supplies should include bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, and tweezers to remove stingers or foreign bodies. A topical antibiotic ointment is also useful to prevent infection of minor wounds and abrasions. An elastic bandage can be helpful for strains or sprains along with an anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin or ibuprofen. An antihistamine such as Benadryl can be used to treat allergic reactions and relive itching from insect bites. A topical steroid cream such as hydrocortisone 1% may be helpful for treating skin rashes or relieving sunburn.

A decongestant is useful for colds or sinus congestion, especially during airplane travel where cabin pressurization can cause ear pain if the eustachian tubes that equalize the air pressure in the ears are swollen shut. If you are prone to motion sickness you also should carry along some Dramamine or ginger tablets. For jet lag, melatonin tablets taken at bedtime may help restore the normal sleep-wake cycle.

You also should be sure to pack a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15, especially if you will be visiting areas closer to the equator where the sun's rays are stronger and it takes less time for skin to burn. Insect repellents containing at least 30% DEET (such as Deep Woods Off, Cutter, or Repel) or the encapsulated long lasting less-absorbed 20% formulations (Ultrathon by 3M, HourGuard by Amway, or Sawyer Controlled Release) should be used when traveling in areas where mosquitoes are present.

Traveler's diarrhea occurs frequently and if you are not prescribed an antibiotic by your physician, you can take along some Pepto-Bismol liquid or tablets as a preventive measure along with Imodium AD to slow down the bowel movements. It also would be a good idea to bring along tablets for water purification (such as Potable Aqua) or a filtering device in case no safe drinking water is available. These are usually available in camping and sporting goods stores.

Gary P. Barnas, MD
Associate Professor
General Internal Medicine

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.