Before Traveling Ask a Doctor:

SafeToys.com talked with Dr. Andrea McCoy about how to prepare for a family trip

by SafeToys.com

When going on vacation this summer, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor first. For our questions about safe traveling, SafeToys.com spoke to Dr. Andrea McCoy, the chief medical officer at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia and a pediatrician for 19 years.

SAFE TOYS: Do you think having a first aid kit with you is a good idea or overkill?

Dr. McCoy: It is always a good idea to have a first aid kit, but having it in the trunk of the car is not always reasonable since some of the medicated products will spoil. Thoseare the things you wind up needing when you are away and don’t know where the nearest drug store is. I keep mine in a lunch box that has two compartments in which I can separate wet from dry materials. Ideally you should have it stocked with:
moist towelettes (or some type of cleansing agent)
• antiseptic
• antibiotic cream
• gauze pads (small for dressing wounds, large for cleaning wounds)
• gauze rolls
• adhesive tape
• Band-Aids
• tweezers
• thermometer
• Medications:
• Acetaminophen and/or ibuprophen
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• 1% hydrocortisone cream

Include a listing of allergies, medications, and health issues of family members. Be sure to check products for expiration dates. If you are camping or hiking, you should also include ace bandages and triangular bandages. Outside the first aid kit – and always with you – should be sunscreen and insect repellent (separate, not the combination product).

SAFE TOYS: What sort of information should parents take with them?

Dr. McCoy: Be sure to have pediatrician’s phone number, insurance information, and any special information needed if you are out of your home area (there may be certain hospitals you can use). Always carry the universal poison control number (1-800-222-1222). Carry your child’s immunization record (and be sure to keep it up-to-date at every visit). Keep a list of any medications, including over the counter items, like vitamins or allergy medicines, that your child takes and any allergies to medications, foods, bugs, or other things in the environment. It is always good to scope out the area to know where you would get health care if you needed it – hospitals (especially children’s hospitals) and walk-in treatment centers. Talk with your pediatrician before you go, especially if your child has significant health issues.

SAFE TOYS: What are some good simple remedies for common problems children have when traveling?

Dr. McCoy: For sunburn, apply sunscreen (SPF 50) at least 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply after swimming. Avoid the hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as that is when the sun is at its strongest.

If you get a burn anyway, cool the skin. Use acetaminophen for discomfort. Be sure your child drinks plenty of fluids since this is a first-degree burn. There are some topical sunburn products that help to cool the skin, but I don’t recommend any by brand name. If the skin blisters, leave the blisters intact. This is a second-degree burn. You should watch carefully for fever and seek medical care if fever or lethargy develop.

For sleep, the routines are off so try to reset them. If you have a really hard time, you can try a warm drink of milk. If all else fails, many children will get sleepy with a dose of Benadryl, but I don’t recommend that routinely.

Upset stomach: If this is caused by eating bad food, you really have to “get it out.” If it is just nausea from travel or excitement, try a little flat ginger ale or cola. If this fails, a little dose of an antacid is fine to give. Use one of the antacids that is calcium-based, like Tums.For travel sickness, avoidance is key. Have a light meal before travel – not too much, not too little. Be sure to have the child looking out the window. For children who are known to always get ill with travel, I do recommend the over-the-counter Dramamine. For the prescription patches, older children should check with their doctors.

SAFE TOYS: Are there vaccines and shots parents should be aware of? Does it pay to take the child to a doctor or get him/her a physical before trips?

Dr. McCoy: Otherwise healthy children don’t need doctor visits before routine trips. For families traveling overseas, it is wise to check with your doctor since there may be special vaccines that are required. We have recently added a vaccine to the roster that we would want to assure children have when traveling overseas, such as Hepatitis A. Older children should have a second dose of the chicken pox vaccine. Many children ages 2-10 who are traveling to Africa, India, and the Middle East will benefit from the meningococcal meningitis vaccine that we otherwise would not give until teenage years.

For children who have health issues or who take medications, it is wise to at least check with the doctor ahead of time to make sure you’re prepped for your trip as best as can be. Assure you have adequate supply of all prescription medications. Be aware that sometimes your prescription insurance will not allow you to purchase medication months in advance and you may need to make arrangements if you will be traveling for long periods.

SAFE TOYS: How about food and water issues? Is it enough just to wash hands to stay healthy?

Dr. McCoy:: This really depends on where you are traveling. Handwashing is always important. So is washing the food purchased at open markets. Know where you are traveling. Be aware that young children and those who have other heath issues are most likely to get seriously ill if they eat or drink contaminated food or water.

SAFE TOYS: What about safety from strangers or being in unknown areas?

Dr. McCoy: Stranger danger rules for your children should be no different than at home. You should have your eyes and hands on them at all times. The difference is probably that you will be in bigger crowds if you are in tourist areas. Don’t be shy about wearing matching color shirts so that you can easily spot each other if you drift apart, or tying a balloon to your child’s shirt at a parade, or using a stroller for your 5-year-old at Disney. Better safe than sorry.

One other thought:
Dr. McCoy says that parents should remember that many health insurances are national, so be sure to check with your insurance company (or their Web site) before you travel. If traveling internationally, it’s best to know before you go what your insurance will cover or how they will reimburse you. It would be horrible to be overseas with a sick child, paying cash for care that you’re not certain your insurance will cover. And always remember, wherever you are, the telephone always reaches your pediatrician at home. She knows you and your child and can often help you decide whether you can safely manage the illness or if you need to seek medical care.