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As a frequent traveler—and the daughter of a physician—I’ve learned that smart packing isn’t just about the right shoes or chargers. It’s about being prepared for whatever may come your way, from sudden illness to a scraped knee on a cobblestoned street. My dad, a longtime doctor and generally brilliant Mr. Fix-It, has always approached travel (and everything else in life) with a well-stocked, thoughtfully curated kit.
Over the years, his advice has shaped what I pack—and saved more than a few trips from being derailed by avoidable mishaps, from medical to mechanical. From a compact pulse oximeter to bleeding-control powder I hadn’t even known existed, his go-to essentials are small but mighty. Whether you’re a parent, a solo adventurer, or just someone who’d rather avoid a pharmacy run in a foreign country, here are the items my doctor dad recommends bringing along (plus one bonus rec I picked up from a nurse mid-flight).
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Zacurate Pulse Oximeter
Amazon
When I started traveling again post-COVID-19 pandemic, my doctor dad suggested I add a compact pulse oximeter to my carry-on. This Zacurate model costs less than an airport meal to-go, and takes up way less space. It clips onto your fingertip to measure blood oxygen and heart rate in seconds, no expertise required. My dad says it’s a smart way to gauge whether symptoms like fatigue or congestion are something mild or worth a doctor’s attention. I keep it with my first-aid supplies, just in case something feels off mid-trip.
Boncare Digital Thermometer
Amazon
Similarly, I learned from my dad to always have a thermometer handy to monitor my health and treat accordingly when someone in my family gets sick on the road. There are all kinds of fancy touch-free versions, but they’re bulkier and I find them less reliable than this ultracompact under-the-tongue thermometer that takes up almost no space in my toiletry bag, so it lives there permanently.
WaterWipes 5-pack Water-based Wipes
Amazon
My dad always recommends packing a small pack of wipes for any kind of travel, not just for hygiene, but for comfort and convenience, too. These ultragentle wipes are made with mostly water and a touch of fruit extract, so they’re ideal for sensitive skin and safe to use on your face or hands when you can’t get to a sink. I’ve used them to clean up spills, freshen up on long layovers, and even as an impromptu face wipe on hot travel days. I always keep a pack in my car and one in my tote bag, too.
Purell Hand Sanitizer Gel Travel-sized 6-pack
Amazon
Hand hygiene is a non-negotiable travel habit in our house, long before it became as widely reinforced as it did during the pandemic. That’s why I always tuck a travel-size bottle of Purell into my carry-on, my purse, my personal item, my waist pack… everywhere. The compact flip‑cap design of these budget-friendly staples fits neatly into a pocket or purse, so whenever you encounter a less-than-ideal public surface—door handles, tray tables, gas pumps—you’re covered.
BleedStop Powder
Amazon
I never knew about this stuff until my dad used it on himself after a kitchen accident—and now it’s a staple in my bag (I’ve mostly had it hand on a precaution, but I did just have to actually use it for the first time when my husband cut his finger—and it saved us a trip to urgent care for stitches). BleedStop is a powdered clotting agent you can use on wounds that won’t stop bleeding. It’s a medical-grade solution that comes in a travel-size packet and can be a total lifesaver when you’re far from a clinic or pharmacy, or when you’d rather avoid going there if possible.
Revlon Precision Tweezers
Amazon
I think of my dad like MacGyver—he always seems to know how to work around issues using whatever modest tool he may have on hand. A pair of tweezers is a must, not just for grooming, but also for things like removing splinters, stingers… or those cactus spines my son managed to encounter in Joshua Tree and then again in Mexico. This budget-priced drugstore version has been my go-to for years; I have the same one in my bathroom drawer at home, and a duplicate in my toiletry bag for travel.
Band-Aid Variety Pack
Amazon
There’s nothing worse than a blister forming halfway through a walking tour or a cut from rummaging through your suitcase. This variety pack of bandages covers every kind of small injury—a total of 280 sheer and clear flexible adhesive bandages in five different sizes and shapes, for small wounds, burns, or even shoe chafing. My dad always says early treatment prevents bigger problems—and when you’ve got the right bandage on hand, it’s one less thing to potentially derail your trip later.
Yeti Insulated Tumbler
Amazon
One of my dad’s overall health rules is pretty simple: Just stay hydrated. This stainless steel Yeti bottle keeps water cold for hours, definitely won’t leak in your bag, and has a built-in handle on the cap for easy portability. It’s great for flights, hikes, and everyday city exploring. I’ve tried dozens (hundreds?) of water bottles over the years, but this is one I always come back to.
Amazon Basics Hydrocortisone Cream
Amazon
Bug bites, rashes, and skin reactions are the kinds of discomforts that can turn an otherwise great day just plain unpleasant. I’ve always been the one in the family who gets afflicted with big, swollen bites, and my dad has always had this go-to solution at the ready. Hydrocortisone cream is fast-acting, super compact, and easy to apply, so you don’t have to scratch your way through your vacation. I keep a tiny tube in my kit at all times now, especially for tropical destinations where insects tend to lurk.
Neosporin Antibiotic Ointment 3-pack
Amazon
Growing up, Neosporin was my family’s equivalent of Chris Rock’s famous bit about the omnipresence of Robitussin in his family. We always had it handy in every drawer, purse, or travel bag. Now that I’m the mom of my own kids, I do it the same way. I keep a tube of this antibiotic ointment in my travel bag at all times for any eventuality, from a scraped knee to a minor burn.
Vaseline Travel-size 4-pack
Amazon
You might not think of petroleum jelly as a travel essential, but my dad swears by it for so many diverse reasons—so now I do, too. Vaseline is great for preventing chafing, soothing cracked lips, sealing scrapes, and protecting skin from windburn or extreme dryness. The mini tubs are portable, mess-free, and endlessly useful, especially on long flights where dry cabin air can be brutal. Pack it once and watch how many ways you end up using it. (You’re welcome.)
Kalim Precision Screwdriver Set
Amazon
This tiny tool set is something I never would’ve packed without my dad’s influence, but because of him, I know the value of a precision screwdriver. With both flathead and Phillips tips, this pocket-sized screwdriver kit is standing by to save sunglasses, luggage handles, small electronic issues, and more. It’s the kind of lightweight fix-it essential that earns its place in your bag the first time you use it.
Cartman 39-piece Tool Set
Amazon
If you’re hitting the road instead of flying, this full tool set is a smart item to stow in the trunk. It includes everything from pliers to a mini hammer, neatly packed in a compact case that’s easy to tuck away. My dad recommends it for road trips and longer stays at a vacation rental—anywhere you might encounter a small problem you could solve yourself. You may not use it often, but you’ll be glad it’s there when you do.
CareTouch Alcohol Wipes
Amazon
These individually wrapped alcohol wipes are incredibly handy for disinfecting high-touch surfaces like airplane tray tables, hotel remotes, or even your phone. They’re also great to have on hand for, say, wiping off the tip of a tweezers before attempting to remove that splinter, plus tons of other practical hygiene and beauty purposes.
North American Rescue Toruniquet
Amazon
This is a bonus recommendation that didn’t actually come from my dad, but rather from my seatmate on a flight; he was a nurse called into action when the flight crew requested the aid of a medical professional, and afterward we got to talking. He recommended I always travel with this light, compact tourniquet. It can be a literal lifesaver in the event of an emergency (provided you first learn how to properly use it as a precaution).
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