When you’re travelling, you’ll often encounter new foods and environments. Here are some recommendations of first-aid drugs to bring with you to help with things like allergies, stomachaches, sunburns, and etc.
Many pharmacies offer travel-sized items of some of these products. To save space, you can remove outer box packaging but keep drugs in their proper container. Don’t mix your drugs into one bottle and carry prescriptions, if applicable – this will help you avoid issues at security. Try to bring pills rather than liquids, when possible and stay away from aerosols for any sprays if you’re carrying on.
Allergies: If you have a history of allergic reactions, it’s a good idea to bring allergy medicine with you. These include an antihistamine drug to help against itching, skin rashes, insect bites; daily allergy tablets to help against seasonal reactions; or Epi Pens for adrenaline.
Constipation: If you are easily constipated, it’s a good idea to bring a laxative with you to help you short-term. After taking a laxative, you should try to increase your intake of fiber, vegetables and fluids to help you long-term.
Diarrhea: Travellers’ diarrhea is no joke, especially in some countries that have contaminated water. For short-term relief, drugs like Imodium can help “block you up” for up to 24 hours. For stronger relief, prescription drugs like Ciproxin that contain antibiotics will help fight off any bacteria. Otherwise, a natural solution is to spent some time on the toilet, stay hydrated and wait for the diarrhea to pass.
Heartburn and stomach acid: If you’re prone to heartburn or stomach acid, bring some antacid. This will especially help if you’re going to be eating a lot on your trip, trying new foods, and spicy or strong items.
Headaches, muscle pain, aches: Aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol drugs are always great to have on hand for any headaches, muscle aches, or pains when you’re travelling.
Motion sickness: Although you may have never experienced motion sickness, it’s a good idea to bring motion sickness medication with you for travel on a boat, cruise, plane (turbulence can be nasty sometimes), car, or train. Pack antihistamines with you and taken them 30-60 minutes prior to your motion travel. Avoiding alcohol, dairy, and large meals prior to your journey will also help.
Safe sex: You never know what will happen on the road, but it’s better to be prepared. Condoms or contraceptives are good to bring along if you’re planning on having any sexual activity abroad. Be sure to pack these items properly.
Tanning & Sunburns: If you’re travelling to somewhere hot and sunny, it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. A good skin moisturizer is important for your skin after you sit out or walk around in the sun. Finally, if you get a sun burn, bring some aloe vera to help with the any redness or burns.
Water purification tablets or filters are important if you’re visiting areas where water is not purified and bottled water is unavailable.
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