JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Getting sick while on vacation can ruin the fun. A local doctor tells of the must-have medications to pack before you travel. For trips inside the country, Dr. Brian Stephens of Little Black Bag Medical suggests the following:
1) Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Works best if you have a fever and safer for most people to take.
Recommended Videos
2) Ibuprofen (Advil, etc.): Use for aches and pains like a headache, sore throat or injury.
3) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): Can be used to treat symptoms caused by allergies.
4) Pepto Bismol
5) Hydrocortisone cream: For insect bites and even sunburns.
6) Zinc Oxide Ointment (baby rash ointment): Can also double as a sunscreen.
7) Basic first aid kit with simple bandaging supplies.
8) Don't forget to pack your regular prescribed medications.
Other special considerations if you are traveling overseas:
CDC warnings and needed travel vaccines. See your doctor or a special travel clinic for details and remember you'll want to do this at least 2 months before you travel.
How to take care of your feet:
To prevent blisters and feet problems, Dr. Stephens suggests you soak your feet in strong tea (dark). "It has an acid in it that toughens the feet so they are less prone to blistering," said Dr. Stephens. Good synthetic socks, as opposed to cotton ones, reduce moisture to help prevent blistering. "You can also rub petroleum jelly all over the feet," said Dr. Stephens to reduce friction.
Motion sickness:
Car- Find a spot in the car that doesn't move as much, like the front passenger seat. If you have children who are too young to sit in the front seat, keep in mind, playing video games, looking down, reading or watching TV can increase their risk of getting motion sickness.
Roll down the window and have them focus on the horizon. A breeze in the car creates a distracting sensory stimuli to reduce motion sickness, another option is sucking on a peppermint.
Train- Sit near the engine
Airplane- Try to sit toward the front of the plane or at least in front of the wings.
Boat- To reduce motion sickness, sit in the middle of the ship near the water line.
Medicine: Benadryl, Dramamine or a Scopalamine patch can be used as a preventative for motion sickness.