What's in Your Travel First Aid Kit?

Updated on June 10, 2015
L.. asks from Kirkland, WA
21 answers

Hi Mamas!

We are getting ready to go on a family trip before baby 2 arrives. We have a 20 month old son who is becoming more adventurous by the day. :) Thankfully he's only had a few bumps and bruises and scrapes that we've been able to care for at home.

That being said, I'm packing over the next few days and I'd like to get a first aid kit together, for things like stings, bites, scrapes, cuts, burns, whatever we need to be prepared, I suppose. Do you have a first aid kit? What's are the essentials?

Thanks everyone!

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Featured Answers

⊱.⊰.

answers from unknown city on

We camp a lot so I always have:
sunscreen
bugspray
tweezers
nail clippers
band-aids
neosporin
topical benadryl
allergy pills
tylenol
vaseline (dry, chapped lips)
baking soda (or just use mud)
epi pen
ETA: hand sanitizer

4 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Boston on

Don't forget benadryl or its generic diphenhydramine. Helps with allergic reactions and as a sleep aid.

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

For my car? I have one that I keep in a clear plastic tub. It's for my car and road emergencies as well as any other we might encounter while on the road and playing...

1. Great container to store items in (a backpack or hard container)
2. Band-aids of different sizes - butterfly too
3. guaze
4. tape
5. scissors
6. benedryl (current)
7. flash light
8. tweezers (really good ones)
9. sunscreen
10. bug spray
11. diaper wipes
12. gloves
13. neosporin
14. clean towel
15. needle
16. Motrin and Tylenol
17. safety poncho
18. whistle
19. waterproof matches
20. extra batteries
21. Swiss Army Knife (well, it's a Gerber that has pliers, small saw, etc.)
22. compass (on my knife)
23. water (this is changed out so it doesn't go stale)
24. flares
25. work gloves (for changing tires)
26. single use ice packs (4)

we also have the road kit that has the small pump, triangle, jumper cables, etc.

In my purse?
Band-aids
neosporin
Advil
tweezers
clippers
diaper wipes
This cute little kit I bought at the Container Store:
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/needIt/bath?productId=...

As you can see? I'm not one to wait around for the government or someone else to save me. So we are prepared. We have Go-Bags in the house too.

Hope that helps!

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F.B.

answers from New York on

I like to have benadryl, calomine, bactine, neosporin, bandaids, immodium, pepto bismol, tylenol, advil, tweezers, bandaids, saline, and a wrap (in case of sprain/ strain), also a bit of tiger balm/ vicks, cough drops, dayquil/ nyquil. I have enough on hand for two doses of anything. If I need anything more than that, I get myself to a pharmacy. It is handy though, especially if you find yourself with a problem in off hours to have something on hand.

Best,
F. B.

5 moms found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I never packed a first aid kit on trips unless we were goping camping, and even then, it was minimal -
OTC pain relievers and antihistamines, bandage materials and skin cleaning wipes

3 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

To the list from others I would add:

Baking Soda - takes the itch out of bug bites

Meat Tenderizer - breaks down the venom in bee stings.

Baby wipes come in handy to clean wounds.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Houston on

I always have the following in my trunk in a small plastic bin. Bug spray, sunscreen, hand soap, bottle of water, small and large Ziploc bags, one spare diaper, a roll of duct tape and two rolls of cheap paper towels. I store the diaper and paper towels in large Ziploc bags to keep clean. As far as first aid items I carry an assortment of Band Aids, Neosporin, anti-itch cream, anti-diarrheal medicine, heartburn medicine and pain reliever medicine in a single Ziploc bag. I don’t carry much at one time and make sure to go through it once a year to replenish, update outdated items and to replace dirty items.

The seasons in Texas change a lot so having bug spray and sunscreen is wise. It is convenient having hand soap and water at the ready for a whole host of reasons. Ziploc bags are great for holding dirty clothes, for barfing into, for putting over a dripping wound, etc.

The diaper is great for putting over a bleeding wound. I was by myself once when my toddler had a head wound. He wasn’t old enough to hold any bandage to his head and I had to drive so I couldn’t help him. I fit the diaper fit over his head with good results and the tabs held the diaper in place so we could make it to the ER. Duct tape makes one heck of a bandage with paper towels underneath and if you should have a blister, a section of tape can stop further irritation. The paper towels make good clean bandages (as a whole or sheet by sheet), can clean up messes and can make splints as well using the duct tape. Plus it is handy always having paper towels in the car for reasons unrelated to first aid.

P.S. In a pinch I have used the paper towels and duct tape to make a quick diaper. Sometimes the trick is buying enough time to get to the doctor, ER, pharmacy, Wal Mart, etc.

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Z.B.

answers from Toledo on

I don't have one. I did bring a store bought kit when I took our son camping with Cub Scouts because it was on the list. Then little by little we used all the band aids at home.

I guess I usually throw a couple of band aids and some ibuprofen into my toiletry bag. Really, if we end up needing anything, we'll just find a Walmart and buy it.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Remember spare clothes, especially socks, and plastic bags in which to carry soiled clothing or bloody bandaids and the like.

3 moms found this helpful

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

I guess it depends upon where you're headed. I have a different aid bag for rural versus urban trips.

However, I'm an EMT, so I tend to overprepare. I'm sure you'll be fine with the suggestions below.

I will just add: Sunblock cannot be overstated. SPF 50, reapply every 80 minutes.

Bandaids can be pretty worthless. I suggest adding a roll of 3M Durapore tape and some gauze. 2x2 and 4x4 are good sizes to keep on hand. Be sure to wash out cuts with soap and water.

Also, for some strange reason, when people get sunburned they seem to think that putting stuff on the burn is the only way to treat it. If anyone gets burned, first dose with Motrin and drink a big glass of water. NSAIDS are the best sunburn treatment out there, helping to reduce the inflammation and irritation, and will mean that the person will actually get some sleep instead of tossing and turning in pain. Also cool the burn with a lukewarm bath and then dab very strong, cooled black tea all over the burn with a cotton ball or gauze. Allow it to air dry. The tannins in the tea will help reduce the stinging.

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R..

answers from San Antonio on

I am over prepared..I carry a first aid kit in my purse. But I have to have an epi pen with us.

So:
Bonine/Dramamine - nausea/motion sickness (son can get this)
Bandaids (multiple sizes) - sometimes that's all a child needs to feel better
Neosporin (spray on with pain killer)
Benedryl - Pills for allergic reactions and spray for bites
Ibuprofen - Kid and Adult
Albuterol Inhailer (it is the spare extra)
Hyrocortisone cream
Nail nippers
Wax for daughter's braces
The epi pen - only reason I have a kit in my purse in the first place.
Oh and a chapstick cause I always lose mine in my purse.

The kit actually came with a small flashlight..that has proved helpful.

I can't tell you how many times I have pulled it out and used something in there..I like having a mini medicine cabinet.

2 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I keep a little make up bag full of different sized Band-Aids and a pain-relief Neosporin. I keep it under the sink in the main bathroom so we all can use it as needed. When we travel I throw it in the glove box.

When my husband and I travel, we take the basics, a couple Band-Aids, Neosporin, headache meds, small sewing kit, tums, anti-diarrhea, eye drops, Dramamine and chap stick.

That usually covers the things that happens most. Most kids just get scrapes, burns and cuts which the Band-Aids and Neosporin takes care of. Good luck.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Unless I'm going to the Amazon, I just pack Tylenol, band aids, Neosporon, nail clippers, tweezers, sunscreen, bug spray and allergy meds.
There's usually a store nearby.
Don't stress!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I like to have Bactine on hand, works for cuts, scrapes and sunburn.. I also like pure aloe vera gel. Additionally, bandaids, an ace bandage, medicine (only for extreme cases) of flu, cold and/or fever. tweezers (for splinters) and most importantly, a large bottle of water..

2 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Tweezers, pepto tabs, liquid aspirin, triaminic night, triaminic day, bottle of water, soap, clean cloth, and all the other band aid stuff. Closed shoes help too.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I have a kit that is left in my car. It's pretty basic. It has bandaids, anti-bac ointment, gauze, and tweezers. Then I also have a can of bug spray and sunscreen thrown back there too. The most needed thing is bandaids, although I have used everything else at least once. For road trips I also try to keep a blanket of some kind and a ball in the car at all times. Those have also been used! :)

2 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Never packed one. We always have Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl with us, normally Claritin this time of year too. If it's a sports related event we have Band-Aids packed in those bags already. Otherwise we stop if we need something.

2 moms found this helpful

R.A.

answers from Boston on

Neosporin, Motrin, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol swabs, q-tips, ace bandages, band aids, spf 50 Sunblock, .Lavendar oil. Lavendar oil is great to heal cuts and bruises, as well as sunburns.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Basically what OnePerfectOne said!

1 mom found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

Most of what I put in mine has already been listed. If you're going to be outside a lot I would bring some ammonia, the stuff you use for cleaning. It is absolutely the best for mosquito bites! Use a cotton ball or qtip and put it undiluted on the bite and surrounding areas. If caught fast enough it is gone by the next day. I always have diaper cream in my bag even though we 're out of diapers. We've had to use it for sore bums from upset tummies and it works for chaffing even in adults.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Fever reducer (kids motrin or tylenol), bandaids, and neosporin. That's it.

I figure my job is to carry enough to get us through one night if, for example, a kid spikes a fever at 2AM. There is a drug store in every town for anything else that is needed, and all hotels have ice.

1 mom found this helpful
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