Don’t get caught tryin’ to wing it at 30,000 feet.
Summer is peak travel season, and Dr. Sasha Haddad, an LA-based family practitioner, has taken to TikTok to share her list of essential medical travel supplies — as well as the knowledge that it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
The five items in Haddad’s flying pharmacy are medications to ease an upset stomach, an allergy drug, a first-aid kit, Advil and bug spray.
Stomach medications
Haddad recommends travelers, particularly adventurous and voracious eaters, keep Pepto-Bismol in their carry-ons.
The pink stuff treats nausea and diarrhea caused by the stomach flu or food poisoning. This over-the-counter medication works by killing harmful bacteria, reducing intestinal inflammation and slowing down the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the bowels.
Haddad also suggests Zofran, a prescription medication, for nausea and vomiting.
OTC allergy medication
Haddad, seen holding an OTC allergy medication, warns travelers, “Yes, Italy is green & beautiful. Tell that to your sinuses!”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 25% of adults and nearly 19% of children report having seasonal allergies.
Symptoms can range from annoying — sneezing and a stuffy nose — to downright miserable — itchy, watery eyes, congestion, fatigue, coughing and post-nasal drip.
New environments can mean new irritants for allergy sufferers, and experts recommend taking meds early to prevent symptoms instead of having to combat them.
First-aid kit
Haddad never leaves home without a first-aid kit — it’s even more important to be prepared for emergencies when traveling.
“Wait until you scrape your leg trying to jump into the water in Greece,” she explained.
The Post stans these eight first-aid kits, which can be great for the home, car or suitcase.
Advil
Haddad always packs a pack of Advil, handy for treating hangovers, fever, muscle pain or menstrual cramps.
She maintains, “If the Aperol spritz didn’t give you a headache, something else might!”
OFF! bug spray
Bug bites can be a real buzzkill on vacation, so Haddad packs OFF! “for the insects that can’t wait to meet you when you get there.”
A person who commented on Haddad’s TikTok post last week suggested travelers instead invest in mosquito wipes to avoid carrying liquids through airport security.
The CDC recommends looking for mosquito repellents with the active ingredients DEET, IR3535, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, among others.
You can also treat clothes and outdoor gear with the insecticide permethrin to protect against ticks and mosquitoes.
