---
title: 8 Essentials for Healthy Travel
description: As the holiday season quickly settles in, refer to these 8 travel essentials to keep you healthy.
---

[Thorek Hospital News ](https://www.thorek.org/news)

# [8 Essentials for Healthy Travel](https://www.thorek.org/news/8-essentials-for-healthy-travel)

 Written by [Thorek Memorial Hospital](https://www.thorek.org/news/author/thorek-memorial-hospital) | Nov 25, 2014 4:18:00 PM

As the holiday season quickly settles in, refer to these 8 travel essentials to keep you healthy:

#### Saline nasal spray

Travel stress messes with your immune system. "Add dry plane air and you have a recipe for getting sick," says Travis Stork, MD, co-host of The Doctors. A spray keeps mucus membranes moist and less hospitable to germs. 

#### Nail clipper

Sure, you like how a manicure looks, but it's for safety, too: Some studies show that longer nails harbor more bacteria, upping your risk of spreading them to food or skin. Trim to a maximum of one-eighth of an inch beyond your fingertip. 

#### Bandage strips

Go with various sizes, no peroxide or ointment needed: "Soap and bottled water work just as well to clean cuts and fight infection," says Nancy Snyderman, MD, chief medical editor for NBC News. 

#### Pain reliever

"Ibuprofen is a great choice for easing pain, soreness and inflammation from sprains, arthritis or other issues," says Dr. Stork. It's especially useful for the active and adventurous. 

#### Aloe vera

A must-have for soothing sunburn, this cool gel also calms itchy bug bites and blisters after a long day of sightseeing. It's good for zapping blemishes, too.

#### Antihistamine

Not only does it alleviate allergies (curse you, ragweed!), but it can also save you a trip to the doctor if a rash crops up.  
Bonus: Popping it 30 minutes before bed might help you snooze if you're jet-lagged. 

#### Elastic bandage

A one-stop wonder! Use it to wrap a sprained ankle, put pressure on a deep cut or even securely tie up your souvenir-stuffed luggage. 

#### Stomach soother

Skip the antidiarrheal; a more versatile med, like Pepto-Bismol, slows the growth of tummy-troubling bacteria, relieving diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea and heartburn.

*Courtesy of Health.com *

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