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My Doctor Dad Tells Me to Always Have These 10 Items in My Carry-on While Traveling ‘Just in Case’

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Ark
March 22, 2025

Hey there! It’s March 21, 2025, and with spring break vibes in full swing, I’ve been thinking about travel hacks—especially since I’ve got a trip planned next week. My dad’s a doctor—an ER vet with 30 years of patching people up—and every time I’m packing, he’s there with his “just in case” list. At first, I’d roll my eyes (I mean, I’m 28, I’ve got this!), but after a few travel mishaps—like that time I got food poisoning in Austin with no meds—I’ve learned he’s onto something. So, here’s his top 10 must-haves for your carry-on, straight from his medical wisdom to your suitcase. Trust me, these could save your trip!

1. Ibuprofen (or Your Pain Reliever of Choice)

  • Why: “Headaches, cramps, or that stiff neck from a red-eye—pain hits fast,” Dad says.

  • Real Story: Last year, I landed in Denver with a pounding migraine—altitude’s a beast. No pharmacy in sight, but Dad’s stash saved me.

  • Pack: 200 mg tablets, 10–12 in a Ziploc (TSA-friendly).

  • Pro Tip: Pair it with water—dehydration’s the enemy on planes.

2. Antidiarrheal (Like Imodium)

  • Why: “Bad street tacos or sketchy water—diarrhea’s a trip killer,” he warns.

  • Real Story: Austin, 2023. One shrimp taco, and I was sprinting to every gas station bathroom. Never again without this.

  • Pack: 6–8 tablets — small pack, big peace of mind.

  • Pro Tip: Pop one at the first rumble—don’t wait.

3. Antihistamine (Like Benadryl or Claritin)

  • Why: “Allergies flare anywhere—pollen, dust, that hotel cat,” Dad notes.

  • Real Story: Spring in Nashville, 2024—Plumen City. My eyes were Niagara Falls ’til I raided his Benadryl.

  • Pack: 4–6 pills—Benadryl for sleepy relief, Claritin for daytime.

  • Pro Tip: Test it at home first—some knock you out.

4. Band-Aids and Antibiotic Ointment

  • Why: “Blisters from new shoes or a random scrape—small cuts get ugly fast,” he says.

  • Real Story: Hiking in Sedona, I sliced my hand on a cactus. Dad’s mini-kit stopped the bleeding—and the whining.

  • Pack: 5–10 Band-Aids, a tiny tube of Neosporin (under 3.4 oz for TSA).

  • Pro Tip: Toss in a sterile wipe—clean first, then patch.

5. Electrolyte Packets (Like Liquid I.V.)

  • Why: “Dehydration’s sneaky—planes, heat, or a hangover can zap you,” Dad insists.

  • Real Story: Vegas, 2022. Too much sun, not enough water—I was a zombie ’til his electrolyte fix kicked in.

  • Pack: 3–5 packets—light, easy to mix in a bottle.

  • Pro Tip: Sip before you crash—prevention’s key.

6. Prescription Meds (Plus Extras)

  • Why: “Lose your luggage, and you’re screwed without these,” he stresses.

  • Real Story: My cousin forgot her inhaler in checked bags—three days of wheezing in Miami. Never me, thanks to Dad.

  • Pack: Full trip’s worth + 2–3 extra days, in original bottles.

  • Pro Tip: Keep ’em in your carry-on—checked bags vanish.

7. Hand Sanitizer and Face Masks

  • Why: “Germs love planes—colds, flu, whatever’s going around,” Dad cautions.

  • Real Story: I caught a bug on a flight to Seattle last fall—maskless and miserable. Lesson learned.

  • Pack: 2 oz sanitizer (TSA limit), 2–3 masks (KN95’spick).

  • Pro Tip: Wipe tray tables—dad swears they’re petri dishes.

8. Ginger Chips or Motion Sickness Pills

  • Why: “Turbulence, winding roads—nausea’s no joke,” he says.

  • Real Story: A bumpy shuttle in Costa Rica had me green—ginger chews were my hero.

  • Pack: 6–8 chews or 4 Dramamine pills—non-drowsy if you can.

  • Pro Tip: Chew before takeoff—don’t wait for the spins.

9. Earplugs and an Eye Mask

  • Why: “Sleep’s your reset—screaming kids or bright lights ruin it,” Dad grumbles. Get Eye Mask Now.

  • Real Story: Red-eye to NYC, 2023—baby wailed the whole way. Earplugs turned it to white noise.

  • Pack: 1 pair of foam earplugs, 1 soft mask (under $5 on Amazon).

  • Pro Tip: Test fit at home—comfort’s everything.

10. A Small Snack (Protein-Packed)

  • Why: “Low blood sugar’s a mood killer—delays happen,” he reminds me.

  • Real Story: Stuck on a tarmac in Dallas for 3 hours—no food, pure hanger. Dad’s almonds saved my sanity.

  • Pack: nuts, jerky, or a protein bar—nothing messy or smelly.

  • Pro Tip: Avoid sugar-only stuff—crash hits harder.

Why Dad’s Obsessed with ‘Just in Case’

Dad’s seen it all in the ER: tourists with no meds, hikers with oozing cuts, folks puking from bad oysters. “Travel’s unpredictable,” he told me last week over dinner. “Ten minutes of packing beats ten hours of misery.” He’s not wrong—I’ve dodged enough disasters to trust him. X is full of #TravelHacks posts right now, and people swear by similar lists—Dad’s just got the medical cred to back it.

How to Pack It All

Grab a quart-size Ziploc—it fits everything but the snack and mask. TSA’s cool with meds and small liquids (under 3.4 oz). Toss it in your carry-on’s front pocket—easy grab when you’re bleary-eyed at 30,000 feet. Total cost? Maybe $20 if you’re starting from scratch. Total payoff? Priceless when you’re not scrambling mid-trip.

Spring 2025 Travel Vibes

With Easter trips (April 20’s coming) and summer on the horizon, travel’s heating up. These 10 items aren’t just Dad’s quirks—they’re your safety net. I’m hitting the road soon, and you bet this list is packed. What’s your “just in case” must-have? Drop it below—I’m stealing ideas for my next flight!

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