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Diabetes And Traveling

10 Health Items to Take with You on Vacation

Whether your summer vacation plans involve staying close to home or crossing the globe, you'll want to put as much thought into protecting your health while traveling as you do choosing your destination. A new report, “Healthy Travel: A 10-Minute Consult” from Harvard Medical School, provides the information you need for a safe and healthy trip, including this list of important health-related items to take along:

1. Your prescription medications. Take at least a week’s supply in your carry-on (in case your luggage is lost). Any nonperishable or unbreakable items beyond a week’s supply can be packed in your checked luggage. However, when it comes to insulin and other liquid meds, storing them in your carry-on is the safest way to go. Checked luggage may endure extreme temperatures while it is in cargo and glass vials are also more susceptible to breakage while in transition.

2. Destination specific products. Depending on your destination and personal medical history, consider asking your doctor about taking along antimalarial medications and an antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea. Don’t forget the insect repellant and sunscreen with an SPF at least 15 with both UVB and UVA protection.

3. Gastrointestinal medications, such as antidiarrheal medication (for example, bismuth subsalicylate or loperamide), a mild laxative, and an antacid.


4. Allergy medications, such as antihistamine and 1% hydrocortisone cream for mild allergic reactions. If you or a traveling companion has a history of severe allergic reaction, bring an epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen). This is a prescription item, so if you don't already have one, talk with your doctor.


5. Cold-symptom medications, including a decongestant and throat lozenges.

6. Motion sickness medication.

7. Pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.

8. Antifungal and antibacterial ointments. Your skin is often the first thing affected by atypical circumstances, such as traveling to exotic locales. Antifungal and antibacterial ointments can help fight skin irritations and infections. Antibacterial ointment is even great for ailments such as blisters and abrasions, which are commonly sustained during activities such as hiking and climbing.

9. Lubricating eye drops.


10. First-aid items like adhesive bandages, gauze, an elastic bandage, antiseptic, tweezers, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators, and a first-aid book.

Parents traveling with children should also carry:

• water and snacks
• alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• oral rehydration salt packets (for dehydration caused by diarrhea)
• diaper rash ointment
• baby formula
• any necessary medications.

Before deciding to use these or any non-prescription medication, remember to talk to your doctor first about how to adjust your current diabetes management plan, if necessary. It is important to be aware of any medications that may impact your blood sugar levels.

Source:
Harvard Health Publications. Healthy Travel. (Accessed 6/13/08)


Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 8/08

Last Modified Date: September 18, 2008

All content on dLife.com is created and reviewed in compliance with our editorial policy.

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