It's the "just in case stuff" that always gets me

I've been threatening myself with weighing all of my "just in case" items: bandaids, blister patches, cough drops, and that most important starter set of cold meds.

And then I remember whichever trip I was on when I desperately wished I had that item, causing me to start packing it.

All my little "ghosts of vacations past" add up, but a sleepless night with a bad head cold in the middle of the night in Panama is my reminder of why I still don't leave them home.

In leaving greece i used up euros buying a tin of olive oil and shrink wrapped olives. I was not looking forward to dragging that thru airports. We were spending one night at istanbul hotel, spending 5 more nights various places in Turkiye, and coming back to the instanbul hotel the night before we flew home. I decided to leave the big back pack in instanbul full of dirty clothes and items purchase in greece. I also left my blue jeans and my beloved Travel Smith vest which i love for international flights ( a place to keep all those things you need in flight and don't want to fumble around in carry-on in the dark) because it had been so warm in greece I also left my second light weight cardigan and infinity scarf w the zippered compartment. I did have to rewear 2 shirts, should have left those 2 items at home and brought 2 shirts in their place. (Greece was more sweaty than I anticipated) I was hoping to do a load of laundry somewhere, but that was not an option. I did hand wash the moisture wicking shirt I wore on flight over. Most of our nights were one night stays and I find it awkward/presumptuous to add my wet laundry to a not large hotel room that I'm sharing with a room mate.
Bottom line, the things I left in the bag in instanbul I did not need the other days in Turkiye. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to eliminate the just in case stuff. I did buy hiking poles for the trip, which was a good idea for the acropolis and all other ancient sites that included upward climbs. I also discovered that keeping my jacket in a spare packing cube on the bus was a fine stand in fir a lumbar pillow.

Cw, you are so right. I bet my stuff would weigh less than a pound, and it's not all that bulky, either, so a hard habit to break
Ok, I also left in greece a puzzle book, colored pencils and a book for that and a 100 page fun book, none of which I was using

Oh, good idea for the jacket in a packing cube! I once used a jacket or coat in a pillowcase - but don’t otherwise need the pillowcase, whereas the packing cube can be handy while I travel.

I also think about my “just in case” items. But almost all of them have been really useful at times. You just can’t predict which time, so they will probably keep traveling with me. LOL.

Doric8, your comment about the puzzle book and fun book reminded me that on my same Panama "head cold" trip, I have a photo of me at breakfast with my 300+ page hardback book! At least, apparently, I was reading it. I suppose I've made some progress in lightening my load!

My husband fell on a hike last week in Portugal. Bloody mess of his hand. I was really glad had three large bandaids with me. I regretted not bringing very small tube of antibiotics. Will next time.

I also bring cold medicine because I like certain products.

You just can’t necessarily buy what you prefer in another country. My husband needed more large bandaids than I had brought. The purchased ones did not stay on nearly as well.

Beth, hope he recovers well. We had one gal on our trip ultimately diagnosed with bronchitis. Several of us were offering her OTC meds, apparently she was taking ALL of them, which explains how she was able to spend so much time on the bus napping. Oops

OTOH
I once forgot to pack my ibuprofen, which I was taking daily for knee pain. After I used up what I had in my purse, I had to keep buying more, only available in pharmacies, with a limit on how much one could buy at one time. Very expensive.

On another trip, I did bring some decongestants. However, Tuscany was a gorgeous riot of pollen- producing flowers. I quickly used up my supply and had to buy more. Again only available from pharmacies. The cost was more than $1/pill, and I used many.
Lesson learned: don’t go overboard on omitting the “ just in case” items.

On a recent trip I got a pretty good cut on my arm and tended it as well I could. A fellow traveler saw my arm, pulled me aside, opened her handbag and proceeded to dress my wound and deliver a short but a stern lecture on the need to always travel with first aid supplies and common meds—-what happens when you’ve been spotted by a kind and caring retired nurse! I resented spending a lot of unwanted time searching for the right supplies as ordered and learned my lesson. I would pack a parka in July ‘just in case’ if I had my way; the little first aid baggie is now a ‘never leave home without it’ item. Safe travels to all.

I never use to carry just in case OTC meds until I started hanging out on this forum a few years ago. Then I had to admit it was a very good idea, if annoying, to put some things together and keep in your bag. I still haven’t needed it but my last 3 trips I was able to dispense Sudafed day/night to fellow travelers in need. I do carry band aids but not big ones. One more thing to add!

Just returning from Amsterdam with a really bad long cold, tried all the local pharmacies to find out Nyquil or anything like it is banned in Holland not sure where else. I tried all kinds of local stuff nothing worked, next time I will bring some with me.

Doric!
I am applauding the post breakfast dental hygiene.
Those free bags for donations to nature groups are not the best quality and sometimes fall apart.
I like the cheap zip-mesh pouches from Amazon for all kinds of things including first aid kit.
I am more minimalist than you. Biodegradable toilet paper can be found in camping section at Walmart.
Double as body wipes and table wipes.

I think the true purpose of suitcases in hall before sunrise is to force everyone up against his/her will. (These folks used to work in the military.)

Sun, I think you are correct about the at least military school tendency of the early bag routine. We also got early bag breakfast from two hotels because we had to be at the airport so early, I called them "bag of sadness " because the first was 6 pieces of melba toast, and it went downhill from there. When I was subjected to the last "open up your suitcase so that we may squeeze your packing cubes" rt before I got on the home bound flight, they didn't even look in the bag of sadness from the hotel.

”bag of sadness” - LOL! See all of these wonderful breakfasts? Yours is melba toast in a 6-month old wrapper!

I am the designated “just in case” person. Those who travel with me have apparently got my habits down because they often come unprepared knowing that I will have it “just in case.”

I started packing a few of various kinds of medications in a small pencil case type bag a few years ago based on things I'd read on this site. I never needed any of it (thank goodness), so it ended up being a waste of money since at home I rarely need to take medicine. Someone posted about an online company where you can get individually packed meds, but I can't find the post now. That would be my preference moving forward so 1)I don't have to carry much and 2)I don't feel like I'm being wasteful.

I do bring a small pack of tissues and a few bandaids as well as moleskin, but those items barely take any room at all.

Mmmm… melba toast! Sadly my local grocery store stopped carrying it. Sigh.

In my hiking days I was a lightweight hiker, and the “just in case stuff” were the sorts of gear that I stripped from my kit. If I didn't use it, why was I carrying it? My personal first aid kit was down to a tick key, small sheet of mole skin, a couple alcohol wipes, and a couple bandaids. My hiking style certainly influenced the way I pack when I travel.

Posted by KRS

Someone posted about an online company where you can
get individually packed meds, but I can't find the post now.

I think this is the website you want. I think one of the "Frank"s posted it. They have more than OTC meds.

https://www.minimus.biz/

My GP recommended a 1st aid kit from a company that will send you refills at no charge. But when I checked it out, it seemed more appropriate for a medical professional. And the smallest pack was around 2-pounds.

Well, what do you all bring? I don't currently travel with anything but paracetamol and Zovirax (cold sore ointment with a higher dose of aciclovir). I am intrigued by a tube of antibiotic cream (I don't think this is available in Australia but I would be willing to buy this from an online pharmacy if it can pass through Australian customs and quarantine). What do you all recommend?

Lavandula

Well, I am neither a medical professional nor a TSA employee, but I swear by hydrocortisone cream. A quick look at Amazon tells me that over the counter it's only available at 1% cortisone, prescription needed for higher percentage. A one ounce tube costs $4, i always have a tube.. maybe even one in suitcase, one in purse and I've never had problems in an airport with it. Others may weigh in with their favorites

lavandula, look up Neosporin or Polysporin. Neosproin is a popular triple antibiotic ointment with Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin, Polysporin is without Neomycin. Of course I have no idea what's available OTC in Australia, but amazon.com.au does list Neosporin as being available.

I was never much for "just in case" items, but I had an enlightening moment on our recent holiday. Ran out of ibuprofen, husband was in pain until I could find more. $16.99 on the ship for 20 tablets. I haven't had a UTI for 10 years, but I got one on this trip. (sorry, TMI?). According to several pharmacists in England, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, which eliminates or at least masks pain, burning and urgency, does not exist in England, Had to wait two days for the antibiotic to kick in. My next UTI might not be for another 10 years, but these will forever be in my toiletries bag.

My "first aid" kit includes :

Aspirin

Ibuprofen - I never used to take this but ended up with a fever on a work trip in June and had to rely on a colleague

Pepto Bismol - always always always, and I always end up having to take it at least one evening

Bandaids

Compeed in a tube - I think this is like the French version of moleskin

Antibiotic ointment

If summer -- Benadryl or other antihistamine ointment for use against mosquito bites

I think that's it. I too don't want to need something when I am in my lodging during the night, or on a Sunday ....

I take both first aid and what if I get sick things.

First aid is variety of bandaids sizes (making sure some are extra large), some tape for bandages (can use in hot spots on feet), and antibiotic cream. I had taken the latter out for trip to Portugal and my husband fell and we couldn’t buy it over the counter.

For being ill, or hurt I take pain relievers-these days aleve and Advil.
And cold medicine-I have what I like and bring it.
I also bring zinc tablets to discourage a cold.
And cough drops of varying strengths,
And a few rolls of tums.

European pharmacies are different than ours. Some things available over the counter here are not there and vice versa. My husband for example had pink eye in Athens and for 3 euros a pharmacist sold him medication he would have had to have had a prescription for in US.

Wow, great lists. @ VAP, Neosporin is not commonly available here - great tip about amazon.com.au . There are many US products available on there when they are not normally for sale at an Australian pharmacy (or elsewhere). I will look out for it!

My daughter is prone to mosquito bites and travels with a product called SOOV which takes the sting / itch out of bites. That has been a lifesaver many times.

Thanks all, I will take some time and comb through your ideas. :)

Lavandula

You can try this pill container. It's great! It's keeps you organized and it packs down small.

2 Pack Pill case Travel Pill Organizer, Pill Box for Purse Vitamin Fish Oil 10 Compartments Container Medicine Box by M Muchengbao https://a.co/d/h4KUyNf

Okay Danio413,
You listed an item I now want to buy. My question is this. If I cut the container in half, are the side clear color clips strong enough to keep the clear lids closed? Or, is it necessary to keep both halves together and use the heavy, colored clip to secure the compartments? One layer of 5 compartments is enough for me. Would prefer a thinner box for my first aid kits.

Nice labels, nice product though.

More on pill cases.
Danio413 directed my attention to Amazon. M muchengbao store on Amazon.com has a 3 compartment box that I like better. Dividers, better looking hinge and clasp, 4 pack, small size, plastic for TSA scanner rather than metal.

I also found a cheap alternative at dollar tree. Small, 3 compartment sleeves, pack of 7 for a whopping $1.25. I am going to try these. I carry in my first aid kit (FAK): calcium tabs, ibuprofen, and sinus med.s.
I think these small boxes will fit my mesh pouch well. Currently, I use tiny zip lock pill pouches from Walgreen’s which works well and fits into small FAKs.

DollarTree 3 compartment pill case.
Each sleeve = 3 sections: 2 7/8 inch x 3/4 inch x 5/8 inch depth. (Rounded a bit to not get into sixteenths of an inch.)
Cheap as expected. But, for infrequent travel use will be just fine. If one sleeve wears out - just toss it and use another sleeve.
I was thinking contact lens cases can be used for 2 types of pills. Also, at dollar tree.

Contact lens cases ate also good for just a few days of a high powered ointment

So glad, Sun, that a new enabler has entered the scene...Dario