9.29.2010

The Traveling Green Girl: Medication and First Aid


The Green Girl's Medication and First Aid Bag for 3 weeks in China
The Green Girl continues her Traveling Green Girl Series with Medication and First Aid.

The amount of medication you carry will be dependent on your destination. When I travel domestically, I tend to only carry ibuprofen, allergy, and sinus medication. If you are suffering from head congestion, I would recommend taking a decongestant approximately a half to an hour before your plane lands to ease the pressure.

I like to carry my daily vitamins in little pill bags. They are inexpensive, convenient, sanitary, and moisture resistant. Each bag features a write-on label and can be easily slipped into a pocket or purse. They can be found at your local drug store.

When I travel outside of the country, I carry an EpiPen with me because I am allergic to seafood.

If you require prescription drugs, I would recommend keeping them in their original containers with the labels still attached. Bring extra just in case you get stranded.

In terms of first aid, I only carry an assortment of bandages and moleskine. Depending on the activities you have planned, you may want to expand your first aid kit. I use the Arnica Plus on rashes to stop the itching - it seems to be the only thing that works. Hydro cortisone never seems to do it for me.

I like to rub the Muscle Ice on my tired, sore feet at the end of a long day and on my legs after runs.

I've heard nothing but good things about No-Jet-Lag so I tried it on the way home from my last trip to Asia and it didn't seem to help but I am considering giving it another try.

You'll notice for all brand name products, I mention the generic equivalent option. I think we've established that I'm a cheap Green Girl so I always go with whatever is cheapest.

The Green Girl's Medication and First Aid List
Traveling To Third World Countries

If you're traveling to a Third World country, I would highly recommend bringing all of this with you. Don't bring the entire package of medicine, leave the box at home and just bring one or two sheets of the pills.

And if nothing else, I implore you to bring Pepto-Bismol (or the generic equivalent) chewable tablets. Any time you are about to consume food at a place that looks less than desirable, chew on a couple of these pink pills and the coating on your stomach will give your stomach a little extra protection.

I would also suggest bringing a broad spectrum antibiotic just in case you end up with a bad case of diarrhea or other sickness that won't go away. Your primary care doctor will write you a prescription for this purpose.

Also check with your local health department or doctor for vaccinations for certain regions.

4 comments:

  1. May I travel with you? I mean I could learn organization and I would certainly feel safer.
    For the third world countries I would add Imodium tablets and water purifying system (tablets, filter or UV device).

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  2. I've never heard of "no jet lag." Could have used it this past summer, that's for sure!

    You are so impressively organized!

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  3. Great post you are ALWAYS PREPARED! Muscle Ice is the best!

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  4. I like reading these kinds of posts......and I would agree with Ewa's additions. I worked in Indonesia once, and was taken by the company to have a speciality...it consisted of sucking out a putrefying fish head (yes really). I would strongly recommend taking an intestinal antibiotic along as well.

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