Packing: Part 3 - Toiletries and First Aid kit Essentials

​Preparing for your upcoming trip involves more than just picking out clothes and booking accommodations. One essential aspect of travel planning is ensuring you have all the necessary toiletries and first aid kit essentials, to make your journey smooth and comfortable. In this blog post, I will explore these elements to help you pack efficiently.
 
Don’t forget that when it comes to cabin / carry-on toiletries, there are specific guidelines to follow:
all containers of liquids, non-solid food, and personal items like aerosols and gels must be 100 ml (100 g) or less and fit into a single clear, resealable plastic bag that is no more than 1L in capacity. Each passenger is permitted one such bag.

Toiletries

You can save a lot of space and weight in your luggage by minimizing toiletries and eliminating certain items altogether. So, decant everything into smaller containers and plan to buy it locally if you run out.
 

Wash bag: I use a compact, lightweight wash bag and within it I have all my liquids etc. separated into a clear airline compliant bag, that way I don’t need to sort them at security.

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Packing List:

Travel-size shampoo and conditioner: As I normally travel carry on with limited liquid allowance, I favour Jack 59 solid shampoo and conditioner bars which I buy from a Winnipeg store - The Refill Market (I don’t like the Lush offerings, I find the shampoo bars deteriorate too quickly and the conditioner bar seems to do nothing)

Toothbrush and toothpaste: I use the Phillips One battery toothbrush. Don’t be fooled into buying those “travel size” tubes of toothpaste that are in the specialty travel area of the drug store unless you really want to cut down. You can normally find < 100ml tubes with the regular toothpaste and these represent much better value for money.

Deodorant: take a solid deodorant, a gel one will count towards your liquids allowance.

Soap: Ditch the shower gel (they are mostly water anyway) and take a bar of soap. Two of my favourites are Dr Bronner's and Mrs Meyer's. You can use them for hair, body and laundry.

Face wash / make up remover: I like the Inkey List's Oat Cleansing Balm, it does a good job of taking off any make up I happen to be wearing, SPF residues and the daily grime. Also, it is available in a 50ml size, perfect for travel.

Daily moisturiser with SPF: My go to is nothing fancy, CeraVe AM Facial Moisturiser with SPF 30. Available in 59ml size. If it's good enough for my dermatologist friend, it's good enough for me!

Razor: I use soap and not shaving cream, I find it works just as well.

Feminine hygiene products: Either a menstrual cup / disk or disposable pads and tampons. Whatever works best for you.

Travel sized hairbrush: folding or very compact hair brushes are available, find the smallest one that works for you.

Styling gel / mousse / wax: Buy small sizes or decant into travel containers.

Sunscreen: Aerosols count as a liquid, so to be carry on compliant they must be <100 ml and fit into your 1L clear bag. If you are heading to a beach destination buy reef safe sunscreen. Solid stick sunscreens are available and of course you can always buy your sunscreen when you arrive at your destination.

Basic make up bag: concealer, eye liner, tweezers, mirror, mascara, lipstick / rouge, nail clippers, compact scissors, tweezers, lip balm (for me, it absolutely must have beeswax in it, the rest act more like barriers than moisturisers).

Bug spray / wipes: I always use bug spray that contains Picaridin (more effective than DEET and not as toxic!)

Tea tree oil: It's antiseptic so you can use it to help clean cuts and scrapes, a few drops in your shower is refreshing and a few drops in the toilet bowl acts like poo pourri!
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Small bottle of hand sanitiser.

Towel: OK, so it doesn't actually go into your wash bag but it does go with it! You can buy light weight, small volume travel towels but I'm not a huge fan, even after multiple washes they aren't terribly absorbent. If I am really going to need my own towel on a daily basis then I take a thin, poor quality towel; they tend not to be very bulky and dry quickly.
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First Aid Kit Essentials

Below is a list of what I carry in my regular first Aid Kit, I will add to this as needed depending upon the specific destination. All the medications are listed with their generic name rather than a brand name, I always buy the pharmacy own brand and not the fancy named product; they contain the same active medication without the expensive price tag!
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I carry enough supplies to last a few days unless I anticipate being in remote areas for a longer period. You just need to take the basics to hold you over until you can get to a local pharmacy and don’t worry about not speaking the language, translation apps and sign language go a long way!
 
I always check the health requirements for my destination well in advance of my departure and visit my local travel health clinic as needed.

NOTE: Always follow the directions provided on the packages of your medication. Each medication may come in different strengths and doses, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions given. 

• A selection of Plasters (aka band aids): especially blister plasters (I once used these to hold my walking boots together on a 4 day through hike and they worked a treat!)

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• Steristrips (wound closure strips): To hold the edges of small wounds together.

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• Small bandage roll and gauze pads

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• Iodine solution: Use neat to clean small wounds (dilute for larger wounds) or add 5 drops of 2% tincture of iodine to 1L water for drinking, stir and let it stand for 30 minutes before using. Make sure you double bag this / wrap it well because if it leaks it makes a terrible mess!

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• Ibuprofen OR Naproxen: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID), good for toothache, fever, musculoskeletal pain.

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• Acetaminophen (Paracetamol): Use for mild to moderate pain and fevers.

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• Aspirin: is also an NSAID so it has the same uses as Ibuprofen and Naproxen (do NOT take any of these in combination). I carry it for emergency use only; in cardiac chest pain it is proven to improve outcome in heart attacks. NOT to be given to children.

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• Allergy medication eg. Cetirizine: Use for Hay fever, rashes, very itchy or extensive insect bites or stings.

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• Anti-diarrheal medication eg. Loperamide: Use this for control of symptoms only, it will not alter the duration. I only use this if I have to (no toilet easily available) as I would rather get 'it' out of my system. If your diarrhoea is bloody or lasts more than 3-4 days see a doctor.

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• Antacids eg. Famotidine: Use to alleviate digestive discomfort or heartburn from new foods or eating schedules.

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• Tweezers: Useful for removing splinters or ticks.

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• Scissors: small scissors with blades measuring 6 cm (2.4 in) or less, are generally permitted in carry-on luggage.

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• Hydrocortisone ointment: I always use ointment, never cream, it is generally better for your skin and less irritant.

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• Antibiotic ointment: again, never cream.

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• Specific medications dependent on destination and availability of health care: eg. Anti-malarials, high altitude medication

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• Prescription medications: Ensure you have an adequate supply of any prescription medications you may need during your trip. These should be in their original packaging and clearly labelled. NOTE: Prescription items can generally exceed 100ml, but check with your airline.

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• Hockey tape: useful for many repairs including attaching gauze / splints

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What Isn't in My First Aid Kit

Sling: you can easily function a sling out of a scarf / towel.

Oral rehydration sachets: They are generally only needed if diarrhoea / vomiting is excessive, prolonged and causing dehydration. You can purchase them locally or easily make them from water, salt and sugar (1L clean water + 6 tsp sugar + ½ tsp salt. Mixed thoroughly)

Thermometer: I just don’t see the point, you’re either feeling sick or not. Whether you have a fever or not doesn’t really change that and is no indication of illness severity. Some of the sickest people with infections have normal temperatures.

Motion sickness tablets: Essential for individuals prone to motion sickness during travel but that isn’t me.

Laxative: normally not an issue for me and if it is I would buy some locally.

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Thoughtful selection and packing of your toiletries and first aid kit is crucial for any trip.
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To minimise the risk of spills make sure all your bottles are sealed well. 
To avoid leakage during the flight due to changes in air pressure, do not overfill your bottles leave a gap at the top to allow the product to expand. As extra security, you could also place a small square of plastic wrap over the opening, and then reseal the cap. 

Don't forget to follow airline rules on liquid limitations by packing travel-sized toiletries in a clear bag and organising your first aid items efficiently.
Additionally, remember to check the airline regulations not only for carry-on items but also for things that may not be allowed in your checked baggage.

In my next blog, I will delve into additional items to pack, offer packing advice, and provide detailed packing checklists to ensure a seamless and stress-free journey.

Happy travels!