There’s never a good time to get sick, but this stands especially true in times of travel when you’re far from the comforts of home and potentially trying to enjoy a nice vacation.
Based on a previous explanation from medical professionals, just the act of traveling alone can mess with your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Curious about ways to avoid this scenario at all costs, we turned to healthcare experts and asked what they pack with them on trips in order to stay healthy.
In the list ahead, you’ll find trusted immunity-boosting supplements, germ-busting products, constipation solutions and other goods that may help keep you feeling your best and your most comfortable when traveling.
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Dr. Allison Edwards, a family practitioner with the online telehealth platform Sesame, said that N95-rated masks are still a good way to reduce the risk of catching a highly contagious respiratory illness like COVID-19.
These N95 respirator masks come in a pack of 20 and are made by a Florida-based medical device company. They have also been tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles.
Nearly all of the doctors we spoke to for this story mentioned traveling with vitamin supplements to help keep their immune systems boosted. These individual powder sachets by Emergen-C, which were a former doctor recommendation — contain 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C and are chock full of antioxidants and electrolytes. This box contains 30 convenient travel sachets in the brand’s classic orange flavor, though other flavors are available like raspberry and pink lemonade.
As is the case with any supplement, always take with caution and consult with your doctor first before consuming.
It may go without saying, but according to Chonillo, regularly washing your hands is the most important thing you can do while traveling in order to prevent getting sick.
Dr. Sterling N. Ransone Jr., full-time family physician in Deltaville, Virginia, previously said that he always travels with sheets of camping soap, which he said are lightweight and very useful. We found these portable sheets of soap that are antibacterial and formulated with nourishing plant extracts. All you need is a little bit of water to turn one of these sheets in a rich foaming lather.
The price below is for three 100-sheet packs of soap, however small packs are available as well as different scents. Also, note: Definitely clip the on-page coupon to score an extra 5% off at checkout.
According to New York City-based integrated practitioner and medical consultant for Cure electrolyte drink mix Dr. Dana Cohen, she brings magnesium citrate supplements to prevent constipation and keep the bowels flowing. Cohen didn’t recommend a specific brand, so we chose this trusted and recognizable option that contains 120 soft gel capsules of this dietary supplement.
As is the case with any supplement, always take with caution and consult with your doctor first before consuming.
For the same reasons listed above, our experts recommend disinfecting wipes to help clean frequently touched surfaces. We chose the trusted wipes by Clorox, which come in resealable packs and claim to prevent bacteria growth on non-porous surfaces for up to 24 hours.
Dr. Pollyanna Pitt, a family care physician with Teladoc Health, says she brings hand sanitizer containing aloe vera to help keep her hands clean after touching surfaces, without drying out her skin.
Based on her guidance, we selected Purell’s trusted germ-killing formula, which contains aloe and triple-action moisturizers. The price below is for a pack of six travel-sized hand sanitizers.
Another helpful Pitt suggestion: A small first aid kit, similar to the one we found here. It comes with 110 essentials that can help care for superficial wounds, burns and more. The kit is also packed with items like cotton swabs, multiple types of bandages, medical tape and more.
“I hate getting itchy bug bites when traveling. Insect repellent wipes really help. Plus, preventing bites can help you avoid certain infectious illnesses, like Zika and Lyme disease,” Ransone previously said.
These towelettes each contain 30% DEET, one of the most reliable ingredients used to repel Lyme-carrying ticks, and can be rubbed onto exposed patches of skin to provide up to seven hours of protection. The water-based formula is low-odor, non-greasy and non-staining.
“Talk with your family physician if there are vaccines you should get before traveling to parts of the world where these infections are common,” Ransone added.
Edwards, along with several other doctors HuffPost spoke to, emphasized the importance of getting good sleep while traveling. “I travel with eye shades and earplugs to make sure that no matter where I end up crashing in utter exhaustion at the end of a fun day, I can drown out all the odd noises and lights of a new place, ensuring I get good sleep,” she said.
The 4.6 out of 5-star Amazon rating coupled with the 72,578 5-star reviews made it easy for us to select this helpful travel kit containing a pair of foam ear plugs and a 100% blackout sleep mask made with comfortable memory foam and a contoured design.
Staying hydrated was at the top of all of our experts’ lists, including Ransone who previously said that he always packs a collapsible water bottle whenever he travels, especially to warmer climates.
The Vapur flexible water bottle completely rolls up for a level of transportation that’s truly compact. It features a wide mouth, comes with a detachable carabiner clip and is made with dishwasher-safe, BPA-free plastic.
“Wearing comfortable and supportive shoes will help prevent common problems like shin splints and plantar fasciitis,” Pitt said, adding that she herself always travels with a comfortable pair of running sneakers.
These walking shoes by Orthofeet came previously recommended to us by a podiatrist and we think are a great footwear option for travel thanks to the no-tie design. According to the brand, they feature “unmatched cushioning,” a premium orthotic insole and arch booster, which can help with foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis and more. They come in up to four colors and sizing for both men (7-14) and women (5-12), with wide and extra wide options available.
“My must-haves include my comfy Crocs,” Pitt said of these incredibly popular and (if not slightly polarizing) versatile clogs. They are lightweight, flexible and fast-drying and have a ribbed, contoured footbed for moderate support. You can find these in unisex sizing and a near endless selection of colors.
Nearly all of our experts claimed to carry sun protection in the form of sunscreen. This particular stick sunscreen was previously recommended to HuffPost by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexis Young of Hackensack University Medical Center. It’s an instant-dry solid with SPF50 that utilizes zinc oxide (a dermatologist favorite for sun protection) and contains vitamin E for added antioxidant benefits. It’s also non-greasy, smooth and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Plus, the solid formula means it’s easy to travel with and TSA-approved.
Dr. Carla Chonillo, a primary care physician with Teladoc Health, said she always travels with compression socks — an unsurprising suggestion considering how helpful they can be for preventing leg swelling and improving circulation while flying.
The recipient of over 57,400 5-star Amazon ratings, these knee-high socks are made with an athletic knit fabric and have targeted compressive support on the heel, foot and calf to avoid squeezing your joints. Their compression level is 20-30 mmHg, and you can get them in three different sizes.
“I bring my Mini Beast blender so I can make my morning smoothies and I make sure I have my protein powder to make a full breakfast smoothie, which I mix with fruit and vegetables from the grocery store,” Cohen said.
This single-serve blender uses a space-conscious base that’s powered by a 600-watt motor and uses a single-button operation that intuitively sets its blending cycles thanks to the intelligent-sensing blade. The mini version of the Beast comes in five display-worthy colors, one vessel that transforms from blender to travel cup and two drinking lids.