Many families will be packing up the car and enjoying the outdoors: traveling for sports games, going to a beach or visiting family or friends. Nobody plans to get sick or injured on vacation or on the road — but it happens.
Whether it's a sunburn, a stomach bug or a scraped knee, minor health issues are among the most common disruptions to summer fun. Preparation is the key to a successful trip! A well-stocked travel health kit can mean the difference between a quick fix and a stressful search for a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place (or worse, an unnecessary urgent care visit).
Here are some tips for what to keep in your summer travel kit. (Pro-tip: review and update the kit seasonally.)
For Sun & Heat Protection
Pack a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher — the American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF at least 30+ with both UVA and UVB protection for meaningful skin cancer prevention. (See this excellent FAQ page from the AAD.) Reapply sunscreen about every 2 hours.
Bring SPF lip balm; lips are frequently burned and often overlooked.
Have on hand lightweight, UPF-rated clothing as a physical barrier, especially for young children or anyone prone to burning.
Pack ORS (oral rehydration salt) packets for significant fluid and electrolyte losses. They are most useful in cases of heat exhaustion or travelers' diarrhea and can be purchased online and from many big-box retailers. For mild everyday heat exposure, water with salty snacks is equally effective, per CDC and Wilderness Medical Society guidelines.
Keep fresh water in your kit.
Consider a fan or umbrella for cooling.
If you or a family member has asthma or COPD, be sure to keep a rescue inhaler with you at all times, and use it as directed if needed. This cannot be stored in high heat, so it’s best to keep it out of the kit – but with you and handy in any traveling situation.
For Wound & Injury Care
Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, sterile gauze pads and medical tape for wound coverage
Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment to clean and protect minor cuts and scrapes
Tweezers for splinter or tick removal, as well as blunt-tip scissors for cutting tape or gauze
A digital thermometer — for accurately assessing fever, especially in children. (Tip: a true fever is equal to or greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.)
If you’re interested in more in-depth information on providing first aid, consider downloading and reviewing these apps from the American Heart Association: Everyday Apps, including the First Aid app, the Pet First Aid app, Child Care app, Resuscitation app and the Swim Safety app.
For Medications
OTC pain and fever relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) in both adult and pediatric formulations with proper dosing tools. Never estimate a child's dose by sight. Consider reviewing and printing these weight-based dosing guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics for Tylenol and ibuprofen, and keeping this in the kit. Always consult with your doctor if you have any questions about medications.
Anti-diarrheal medication and an antacid for gastrointestinal issues, which are among the most common travel-related complaints.
An updated written medication list and allergy documentation for all travelers.
An antihistamine for allergic reactions. Antihistamines may be appropriate for isolated, mild symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose or itchy/watery eyes (e.g., from pollen, dust or pet dander while traveling); localized hives or itching (e.g., from an insect bite or contact with a new product); or mild skin rash without any breathing difficulty or swelling.
Antihistamines are appropriate for mild allergic symptoms only — and should NEVER be used as a substitute for epinephrine when anaphylaxis is occurring. See this page from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology for tips on recognizing an anaphylactic reaction. If there are signs of anaphylaxis, the patient should go to an emergency department immediately. If anyone in your family has a known severe allergy, pack their epinephrine auto-injector and store it carefully. Epinephrine cannot be stored in extreme heat, so keep it with you and out of direct sun.
For Bug & Environmental Protection
Use an EPA-registered insect repellent. Evidence-backed active ingredients include DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD). These are well studied and safe when used as directed. Use of insect repellent is safer than risking the transmissible diseases of insects, including Lyme disease (particularly in Pennsylvania), other tick-borne diseases, malaria, west nile virus or Zika.
Use this tool to search for EPA-registered insect repellents.
DEET 20% is the gold standard because it has the longest complete protection time (~5 hrs at 23.8%). It is the best choice for high-risk environments (Lyme-endemic areas, malaria, Zika areas, etc.). Plus, it’s safe when used as directed for children >2 years and adults.
Picaridin (20%) is comparable to DEET in efficacy, with lower toxicity risk than DEET. It’s also odorless, non-greasy and safe for children ≥ 2 months.
IR3535 (20%) has the lowest risk of toxicity. It’s effective, but not as long lasting. The 7.5% lotion formulation provides only about 2 hours of protection.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD (30–40%) is plant-derived, with the potential for allergic skin reactions in young children. It is NOT safe for children younger than 3 years old.
Keep in mind the following when applying insect repellent for children:
Adults should apply repellent to their own hands first, then spread on the child's exposed skin. Never let children handle repellents themselves.
Avoid application to children's hands (to prevent ingestion via hand-to-mouth contact), eyes, mouth, cuts and/or irritated skin.
For children under 2, avoid application to hands entirely.
Do not use combination sunscreen-repellent products. Apply sunscreen first, then repellent separately, because reapplication schedules differ.
Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors.
Hydrocortisone cream on an after-bite stick can be useful for insect reaction relief.
See more at HealthyChildren.org: Insect repellent.
For Documentation
Travel with your insurance cards and emergency contact information.
Consider taking vaccination records if traveling internationally.
Maintain a written medication list and any allergy documentation for every family member. This is critical if you need care from an unfamiliar provider abroad.
Consider keeping paper maps with you and phone chargers that stay in the car kit, just in case.
You can also review specific travel recommendations for the area where you’ll be traveling and up-to-date destination-specific health advisories on the CDC Travelers' Health website, (wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel).
Other Resources
If you’re interested in learning more tips for traveling with children, see this page from the CDC for more specific recommendations, as well as this page from the AAP.
If you’re interested in medication (or sunscreen or insect repellent) safety options when pregnant or breastfeeding, consider researching via the website MotherToBaby.
A well-prepared travel health kit isn't about packing for the worst — it's about handling the small stuff before it becomes a big problem. A lot of minor problems can be addressed with these preparations in advance. I hope you enjoyed reading these tips, and happy travels!
About Marielle Williamson-Rea, DO: Dr. Marielle Williamson-Rea is a board-certified physician specializing in Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, bringing a personalized, whole-person approach to primary care. She offers flexible office hours at her practice in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and direct support by phone, texting and email access.
