Prescription pill packaging can often be bulky. To save space and weight, take out the dosage that you will need (and maybe one extra) and place it in a pill bag. Label the outside of the bag with the medication name, dosage, and expiration date. If you have multiple medications, make sure to put them into separate bags to avoid confusion.
Pack a pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Use whatever brand has worked well for you in the past, like Advil or Motrin. These will help to dull the pain and minimize inflammation in the case of injury. Pack an anti-diarrheal medication, such as Loperamide (sold under the brand name of Immodium, etc. ). Choose the pill version of all medications when possible. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can be life-threatening. [1] X Research source Pack a couple antacid tablets, such as Pepcid. These will help with any indigestion that you may experience. This is especially important if you will be eating food mid-hike. Pack an antihistamine, such as Benadryl. This can minimize the effects of allergies and other breathing conditions. It can also lessen the severity of a skin rash.
If you start to feel a burning in your feet, lightly applying antibiotic cream can help to fight off a possible fungal infection. This can be a particular problem when hiking in humid locations. Packing a small tube or packet of hydrocortisone cream is also a good idea. It will help to treat skin irritations.
Iodine can also be used to purify water. The rule is generally ten drops per quart of cloudy water. Let it sit for 30 minutes and it should be safe to drink. [6] X Trustworthy Source Princeton University Leading academic institution devoted to expanding and sharing knowledge Go to source Be aware that not all people react well to iodine. Days before you leave, you might want to test it on a small patch of skin. Iodine is also not generally recommended for use by pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.
If you don’t want to mess with scissors, paper tape is good as you can tear it by hand. However, it doesn’t always stand up well to wet conditions. [8] X Research source
It is best to pack a mix of adhesive and non-adherent bandage options. [10] X Research source Butterfly closure strips, the 4-inch variety, are good to pack for small wounds and cuts. [11] X Research source Moleskin is a very popular choice amongst hikers. It is particularly useful in shielding blistered skin. Moleskin comes in synthetic skin sheets that can be cut as needed. They adhere to your skin, providing a barrier. [12] X Research source Pack 2-3 whole sheets in your kit. [13] X Research source
Due to their anatomy, dogs are particularly prone to eye injuries. Pack a small bottle of saline to flush out your dog’s eyes if needed. [23] X Research source
A money deposit bag is another option. It has a zip opening and is sturdy. You can purchase one at your local office supply store. Other people prefer using a coffee can that can double as a water boiler. [27] X Research source A one or two-gallon plastic freezer bag is another option. You can use quart baggies or pill baggies for smaller items, such as medications. However, be careful as this system can get disorganized quickly and the bags can puncture.
If a small version of a particular medication is not available, don’t worry. You can get the standard size and then remove the pills that you want and place them in a pill baggy in your kit.
For example, if you react badly to Advil, you may want to toss it out and consider another anti-inflammatory medication.
