Buying a gel icepack in Italy

If your gel pack is frozen solid when you go through security you should be okay. I was able to take one in my carry on.

Hi,

You don't state where in Italy you will be.

I started with Rome --

The Best 10 Pharmacy in Rome, Roma, Italy -- https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=pharmacy&find_loc=Rome%2C+Roma

Also, check "Coop" stores. A couple I went in to have a small section in the store geared toward first aid remedies.
Example -- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187791-d240741-Reviews-Coop_Consumatori_S_C_R_L-Rome_Lazio.html

If you are in a part of Italy that has the market called "Simply," check that out also. There are a few in Rome. https://www.simplymarket.it/pdv.php?id=8423

If you are looking for a soft style gelpack specially designed for knees and other joints then a pharmacy or health & beauty style store is the place to look.
The hard gel packs made for food/picnic are easier to find in grocery stores.

Neither can be transported in carry-ons through airport security. So if this is a concern a hot/cold style water bottle you can fill with ice would be a better option.

If you can’t find one improvise. A bag of frozen peas can do just as well. In a pinch ice cubes in a zip-lock bag wrapped in a towel. Your knee needs cold, doesn’t care how it gets it!

I guess the thought that came to my mind is once you have it, needing to freeze or refrigerate it. Not an issue if you rented an apartment, hotels rarely have mini fridges, but maybe the desk staff could find some place to cool it down for you.

According to the TSA site, frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

Note that medically necessary gel ice packs in reasonable quantities are allowed regardless of their physical state of matter (e.g., melted or slushy). Please notify the TSA officer at the checkpoint for inspection.

The TSA rules only apply to flights leaving the US. Flights within Europe and back to the USA may be subject to different rules in different countries. So I would work under the assumption that it needs to be checked since it's a liquid at the end of the day.

I went old school and took an ice bag with screw top lid in my carry on. Much more convenient for travel, in my experience. When you walk into a bar or restaurant with the bag, people will understand immediately that you have a medical need and give you ice without question, even if your Italian is limited. With a plastic ziplock, they may mistake you for someone trying to ice down beverages. Of course, I always offer to pay for the ice, if they decline, I still buy a drink or something.

The gel packs are available in pharmacies in Italy.

Thanks all.
We’re starting in Rome, and staying in apartments all the way,so re- freezing is easy.
Can’t bring one frozen, as changing planes mid journey.
No direct flights to Italy from W. Canada! (Yet.....). :)

Check. A. Bag. It's not a cardinal sin to check a bag.

When you change planes will you be required to go back through security? If not, it wouldn't matter what condition the ice pack is in at that time. When I change planes I can take with me the water I buy after getting through security. It's the same principle.

I tore a hamstring in Italy several years ago. Hotel was good about giving me ice in a plastic bag.

Going all carryon this trip, so won't be checking a bag.
Thanks , though , for the reminders that it's possible to check a bag! :)