My Doctor Dad Tells Me to Always Have These 10 Items in My Carry-on While Traveling 'Just in Case' by Mr. A Dubin

 When it comes to travel, my dad — a doctor of 25 years — has always preached one rule, which is to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether it's a change in weather, a delayed flight, or the occasional upset stomach, he insists that having the right items on hand can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve learned to follow his advice. That’s why I always pack a small "just in case" bag in my carry-on suitcase.

A "just in case" dad isn't about being overly cautious; it's about being prepared for the unexpected, ensuring you're comfortable and safe while traveling. This compact bag contains essential items to help manage minor issues, so you can stay focused on enjoying your trip rather than dealing with inconveniences. Here's what my dad recommends — and why each of these 10 items should always have a place on your packing list. 

"Baby wipes" might sound like they’re just for infants, but they have a multitude of uses that go far beyond clean-ups. I always keep a pack in my travel bag. These biodegradable wipes are made with plant-based fibers and can be flushed, which means they’re not only gentle on your skin but also the environment. Use them to freshen up during a layover, or deal with a minor spill.  

Hand hygiene is important, especially when you're traveling and in a lot of public spaces. Growing up in a science and medicine-focused family, hand sanitizing was a top priority long before it became more prioritized in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Touchland’s hand sanitizers offer a chic, aloe vera-infused option with a fresh, pleasant scent. These compact, high-quality sprays not only keep my hands clean but leave them feeling moisturized and refreshed.

Curad Assorted Bandages Variety Pack 

Bandages are essential for life’s little mishaps, whether it's a paper cut on your flight or a scraped knee while sightseeing. This assorted pack comes with a wide variety of sizes and materials, including fabric bandages (the longest-lasting) and waterproof options. It ensures you’re ready for everything from minor injuries to dealing with blisters caused by new shoes. Having these on hand means you can treat any small injury immediately, avoiding further discomfort while you’re on the go.

Bleed-Stop Powder

 For cuts that are larger or are in areas that just won’t stop bleeding, this over-the-counter coagulation powder is a game-changer. Easy to carry and simple to use, Bleed-Stop is a lightweight solution that helps to quickly halt bleeding by promoting clotting. I learned about this after my dad used it to stop bleeding from a minor kitchen injury, and it’s now part of my go-to emergency kit.

CareTouch Alcohol Wipes

Individually wrapped, these alcohol wipes are easy to carry and pull out quickly. They make it easy to disinfect your phone or wipe down other high-touch surfaces like your in-seat entertainment system. They’re also great for ensuring any cuts or scrapes are properly sanitized before bandaging them.

Amazon Basics Hydrocortisone Cream

My dad’s go-to remedy for anything that itches or causes skin irritation, hydrocortisone helps deal with bug bites, eczema flare-ups, or a reaction to something you touched while exploring. This over-the-counter cream helps to offer fast relief for itchy skin, helping to calm irritation and allowing you to get back to your travels with minimal discomfort.

Travel-size Vaseline Four-pack

This may sound like an odd addition, but my dad swears by Vaseline. It works wonders on chapped lips, dry skin, and minor wounds. While some doctors prefer it for healing, it also serves as an effective barrier against the elements, like windburn on your face or cracked elbows from long flights.

Swatom Mini Screwdriver Set

One of the things I cherish about my dad is his willingness — and ability — to fix just about everything. He doesn't just consult on medical concerns I have, but he is always there to roll up his sleeves with a practical solution to mechanical problems. Chances are that you’re not going to be putting a full toolbox in your carry-on, so this mini screwdriver set is perfect for fixing small issues that could arise during travel.

It includes both flat and Phillips heads, making it versatile for a range of small mechanical fixes — whether it’s a loose screw on your sunglasses or tightening up a loose button on your luggage. It’s a small tool, but it can save the day when you least expect it.

Cartman 39-piece Tool Set

For road trips, a more comprehensive toolkit is worth packing. My dad recommends having screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer, and vice grips for those "just in case" moments when you need to make a quick fix. This compact, 39-piece tool set is perfect for tackling a range of problems, from fixing a broken handle to securing loose furniture. You may not need it all the time, but when you do, you’ll be glad it’s in the trunk.

Owala Water Bottle 

 

Staying hydrated is one of my dad’s top pieces of travel advice. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and a host of other issues, especially when flying. This leak-proof, double-walled water bottle from Owala helps keep your drinks cold for hours while preventing spills in your bag. It’s airline-approved, easy to carry, and a must-have for anyone looking to stay hydrated while traveling. 

 

Along with all the above items,  it is essential to carry Crocin 1 strip, Diarrhea- Lamotil, Sorbitrate 5 mg 4, blood thinner, in case of suspected heart attack and torch light.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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These 3 Mistakes Can Render Hand Sanitizer Ineffective

The use of hand sanitizer has increased greatly in recent months, as it is the best way to keep our hands clean on the go when soap and water are not readily available. Keeping the hands clean is key in the protection against the novel coronavirus, and having a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is great. However, squirting some on your hands and giving them a quick wipe may not be enough. For the sanitizer to be as effective as possible, it is important to make sure it’s up to the CDC standard (contains at least 60% alcohol), isn’t expired, and that you avoid the following mistakes when using it.

1. Not using enough

According to the CDC, the proper amount of hand sanitizer should cover the entire surface of your hands. Not putting enough sanitizer on your palm is the most common mistake people make. If you’re worried about using too much, you can rest assured it doesn’t hold any risks. According to health experts, using too much is better than using too little. Make sure you get both sides of your fingertips, between the fingers and the outsides of your thumbs. For your convenience, there is an infographic with the proper instructions at the bottom of the page.

 

2. Not waiting for the sanitizer to dry

The time that the sanitizer is on your hands before it dries is the time it’s working to inactivate certain bacteria and viruses. The CDC says you should rub your hands together for about 20 seconds until they feel dry. If you don’t do so, you can end up wiping the sanitizer off on something you touch, and thus prevent it from doing its job and render it ineffective.

3. You rely solely on hand sanitizer

As mentioned earlier, hand sanitizer is a great resource when water and soap are inaccessible. If possible, washing your hands is proven to be the most effective way to annihilate germs. Moreover, if there is grease or dirt on your hands from handling food or playing sports, for example, hand sanitizer simply will not do the trick. “If there is dirt covering part of your hand, hand sanitizer cannot really effectively get to the surface of your hand,” said Dr. Zeke J. McKinney in a statement to Huffington Post. “People think hand sanitizer is a reasonable replacement for washing your hands, but it definitely is not”. 

 

Recognize that using hand sanitizer properly is an effective way to slow the potential spread of the coronavirus, but it should not be the only preventative measure you are taking. 

 

Step by step guide to applying hand sanitizer correctly:

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Carcinogen Found in US Sunscreens - Should You Be Worried?

A private scientific investigation of hundreds of sunscreens and after-sun care products by the American virtual pharmacy called Valisure found that over a quarter of the samples they tested were contaminated by benzene, a known human carcinogen. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about benzene and how it got into sun care products. 

 

The study finds benzene in 78 sunscreens. 

The survey tested 294 individual samples of sunscreens and after-sun products by 69 brands. Benzene, a known carcinogen, was found in 78 of the samples, with 14 products (mostly spray sunscreens) exceeding the regulated amount of the carcinogen. The researchers point out that some of the products they tested had three times the allowed FDA limit of benzene. Benzene Sunscreens cream

What is benzene and how did it get into the sun care products?  

Benzene is an organic solvent, a type of substance used in the preparation of drugs or the cleaning of equipment in the pharmaceutical industry. Some of these solvents, including benzene, have a volatile nature and pose a danger for human health in higher-than-regulated concentrations. For benzene, this concentration is >2 parts per million (ppm). Studies in factory workers show that inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact with benzene could be dangerous for one’s long-term health. 

 

According to the ICH, a European medical agency that helps control pharmaceuticals, “Since there is no therapeutic benefit from residual solvents, all residual solvents should be removed to the extent possible to meet product specifications, good manufacturing practices, or other quality-based requirements.” 

 

But sometimes, these solvents are not completely removed in the manufacturing process, and they end up in products. This is exactly what we see in some of the sunscreens and after sun products, some of which are manufactured by reputable brands like Neutrogena, EltaMD, and Banana Boat. For a full list of sun care products tested by the lab, click here. Valisure, the company that initiated the study, filed a petition for the recall of the sunscreens that contained high concentrations of benzene.

Should you be concerned?  

While the FDA’s response to these findings is pending, the issue attracted a lot of public attention and speculation. Even though the allegations against these specific sun care products are concerning, it’s important to understand that benzene isn’t only present in sunscreens. In fact, the same online pharmacy found benzene in hand sanitizers.

Overall, the presence of benzene in cosmetics seems to vary from batch to batch. Besides, all the studies that involved the carcinogenic activity of benzene were based on factory workers who inhaled and worked with this dangerous chemical for long periods of time. Compared to this, the exposure one gets by using sunscreen or hand sanitizer that contains 2 ppm of benzene is nothing.

Overall, the presence of benzene in cosmetics seems to vary from batch to batch. Besides, all the studies that involved the carcinogenic activity of benzene were based on factory workers who inhaled and worked with this dangerous chemical for long periods of time. Compared to this, the exposure one gets by using sunscreen or hand sanitizer that contains 2 ppm of benzene is nothing. 

 

Even more importantly, though, these findings should not deter you from using sunscreen. As the company’s own news release pointed out, “It is important to note that not all sunscreen products contain benzene and that uncontaminated products are available, should continue to be used, and are important for protecting against potentially harmful solar radiation.” 

 

Let’s not forget that these harmful effects include skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. As Dr. Adam Friedman, a board-certified dermatologist pointed out in a statement, “It only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, later in life.” 

 

The bottom line is, don’t let these findings discourage you from wearing any of the numerous safe sunscreens and protecting your skin from cancer-causing UV rays.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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