My #1 Packing Accessory

As a nurse, its a little bit embarrassing how many foreign pharmacies I have been to. I seem to always be looking for a specific cream, medicine or rehab device, only to be returned with a blank stare from the cashier. After years of experience, trial and error,  I have created a fool proof, comprehensive, yet petite medical kit to bring with you when you are traveling locally or abroad. 

This should cover all your major ailments. Cold, flu, fevers, aches, pains, muscle strains, rashes, small boo boos, blisters, running nose/sneezing, cough, heart burn, indigestion, seasonal/local allergies, sore throat etc. !

Medicine

Tip: for medicines I like to pull a small amount from my current supply and put them in small, plastic bags that make TSA think you’re packing the *real* drugs (kidding!). Sharpie on these bags the expiration date from the bottle. 

1. Ibuprofen

2. Tylenol

3. Cold Medicine of your choice: 

1. Sudafed

2. Dayquil/Nyquil Tablet

3. Mucinex DM 

4. Immune Supplement of your choice:

1. EmergenC

2. Nuun Tablets: Immune Support

5. Tums and Pepto Bismol Tablets

6. Throat Lozenges

7. Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec

8. Benadryl 

Other Medical Things

1. Small individual packets of 1% Hydrocortisone Cream 

2. Alcohol swabs

3. Band-Aids of various sizes including waterproof

4. KT Tape: individual strips not the entire roll

5. Pre-wrap: pull off a decent amount and fold into a small square

6. Hydration eye drops

7. Saline nasal spray

Other:

1. Hydration/Electrolyte Support: 

1. LMNT

2. Nuun

3. Liquid IV

2. Small pack of Clorox disinfecting wipe

3. Tide Bleach Pen

4. Sunscreen

5. Chapstick with SPF

Now that you have gathered all of your supplies, dig through your “extra bag” pile. If you are a consumer of makeup or hair care products, you know what I am talking about. Those free/extra/reward/bonus bags you received with a purchase. For me, I am thanking Thrive Causemetics, as they send out a free bag with almost every purchase. Grab one of those from your stash and fill with your own petite medical kit. Congrats, you will now be ready for tackle anything the travel gods throw your way!

Nurse Jess researched and approved!

Update Later Travel is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This is at no cost to you!

Links

1. Individual Hydrocortisone Packets

2. Tiny bags for legal drugs!

3. Individual Clorox Packs

4. SPF Chapstick

5. Nuun Tablets

1. Immunity

2. Hydration

6. LMNT

7. Liquid IV

8. Alcohol Swabs

9. Band-Aid Pack

10. KT Tape