Health Tips For Traveling With Children

Statistics show that 1.9 million children travel overseas yearly. They have special health issues during travel that need to be understood by those traveling with them. Children of different ages also have different health concerns. A baby does not have the same vaccination requirements as a teen and a teen needs more supervision and health screening than an infant whom may mostly sleep on the trip. Here are just a few tips to consider when traveling with children.

The most common health related incidents involving children traveling internationally have been illnesses involving diarrhea, intestinal parasites, tuberculosis, malaria and also water and vehicular accidents. Children should be carefully monitored during the entire trip for signs of illness, which include: dehydration, diarrhea, fever, and irritability.

Another health issue for children who are traveling is stress. Young children especially do not accept change very well. Time zone changes will make it difficult for children to adjust regarding mealtimes, naptime and bedtimes as they will be different. Besides changes in schedule, the environment may be drastically different from what they are used to regarding temperature, language, customs and activity level. It may be comforting to a young child to have something that is familiar along with them, either a favorite toy or blanket.

Tips for items to bring on board for comfort:

Safe drinking water

Especially helpful is a bottle for baby to suck on during descent of an airplane to avoid ear problems from air pressure changes; gum works for older children

Snacks that have been prepared at home and stored in air-tight, waterproof containers

Hand sanitizer (waterless)

Diaper rash cream or ointment – works with older kid rashes too

A sheet to place on ground for playing on (protects against bacteria and parasites)

Baby Formula and medications

Tips for Dealing with Insects:

These are great to know whether you are traveling abroad, to a state park or into your backyard.

Teach kids old enough to understand the following:

Most insects only sting or bite when they feel threatened – so leave them alone!

They will attack when webs, nests or other territory are perceived to be in danger from humans

Interesting Facts about Insects:

Mosquitoes: males do not bite but females suck blood so she can lay her eggs

Ticks need to suck blood in order to live

After biting most insects will leave venom, which stinks but does not hurt you. You will want to scratch but avoid doing this as it may make the bite area become infected, bleed, or swell.

If a child receives a bite or sting by any type of insect, instruct them to tell an adult immediately so that the adult can take appropriate first aid steps.

A good rule of thumb is to instruct children before leaving on the trip about these insect tips. Another excellent piece of advice is for all adults to update their first aid knowledge concerning the best way to remove stingers and to treat bites and stings.

Make sure your first aid kit contains tweezers, alcohol (for putting ticks in after removal), antibacterial and antibiotic ointments as well as antihistamine preparations. Ask your pediatrician for a list of first aid items to take with you.

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