The Mountains- First Aid Kit Travel Series

The Mountains of Colorado- over 52 peaks over 14,000 feet. Altitude is a culture in this state.

I grew up in a house nestled at a cozy 7,300 feet above sea level.  Pikes Peak filled our big front picture window, making our house a popular destination for our out-of-state friends.  The initial excitement from our guests would often soon turn into pounding headaches, racing heart rates, and uncomfortable nausea.  They were suffering from acute mountain/altitude sickness.  My mom would explain to me that the altitude was making them sick.  I often found this puzzling since I lived at these high levels, but never felt sick like they did.  The explanation is that those that live at these high altitudes adjust by producing more red blood cells to increase oxygen carrying capacity, thus mitigating the effects of the lowered oxygen levels.   Once I started my nursing career in Denver, I saw more severe forms of mountain illness, especially in those who had respiratory or heart trouble.

Identifying High Altitude Effects

With acute mountain sickness your body is trying to adjust to the lower oxygen levels experienced at higher altitudes.  The experience can be similar to having the flu.  This miserable state is easily avoidable with a little preparation.  The first line of defense is water.  Hydration can solve half of the altitude sickness woes.  I always advised my guests to drink water throughout the day, never allowing yourself to become thirsty.  A good rule of thumb is to drink twice the recommended amount of water, and to start out with at least half a liter first thing in the morning (yes, before you have coffee!).  This can seem like a lot, but just remember your body is craving oxygen and the best way to carry oxygen to your starving muscles and organs is water.  It is recommended to not overhydrate to not deplete salt in the blood- but the majority of people tend to under-hydrate.  In the past I suggested Tums and Rolaids to help with mountain sickness, but an extensive study showed this does not help deal with high altitudes.  Limit your alcohol intake.  Increase your good carbohydrate intake, this will provide your body with a ready supply of energy, that is easily broken down and utilized.   Last, add an electrolyte mix to your water with  breakfast.  The potassium, calcium and magnesium help the pumps in our cells to work at top performance. 

First Aid Must-Haves

Now that your body is prepped, let’s assemble what you will need for first aid on your day hike, because of course you are in Colorado, why wouldn’t you hike? Well, we have already talked about- water and electrolytes.  In addition, refer to my first blog post on bladders for your backpack.  I like to have Band-Aids, liquid Band-Aids, gauze, alcohol wipes, analgesics (acetaminophen and and an NSAID like Ibuprofen) and an ace bandage.  Really, you don’t need to be more detailed than that.  You will notice I haven’t added any kind of antibacterial cream.  These creams are unnecessary unless there is an actual infection.  In the medical world we do not treat incisions or cuts with antibiotic creams because over-use of these products has led to a multitude of microbial resistance.   In fact needlessly putting antibiotics on a cut can irritate the skin.  If you do cut yourself just make sure to thoroughly cleanse the wound with water to wash out any contaminants, and then apply your chosen wound dressing to the site.

In addition, I always travel/hike (and ski) with some sort of zinc cream in my bag for sun and wind protection.  I say zinc for several reasons.  The sun at high altitudes is more intense than sea level, and you will burn very quickly- which won’t help your hydration status. Second, the wind can be intense on the mountain, markedly so above tree line, and sun block does not prevent wind burn.  The zinc gives you a physical barrier to the elements.  Sunscreen works chemically with your body to block the sun, but it just doesn’t do the same job that a physical block can do.  When I climbed Angel’s Landing in Zion Utah, I was so excited before the hike I forgot to apply zinc cream.  High altitude, desert sun, sand, and intense wind left my neck dry, peeling, and scaly.  No need to go to REI and get their high-tech zinc cream specially formulated for hikers, and especially high priced.  I take my thrifty self to my local drug store and head to the baby aisle and pick up a tube of Desitin.  Baby rash cream for your face?  Yup!  Babies need protection and have uber sensitive skin, so you are doing your face and any other body part a favor by applying this cream.

Being well prepared to be at high altitudes can be the difference between spending your time miserably curled up in bed, or breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the breathtaking sites that just can’t be seen at sea level. 

Planning a trip out of the country?  Check out my next blog on a “first aid kit” for foreign travel.

References

Staff. (2022, March 9). Proper use and when to avoid topical antibiotics. U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/proper-use-and-when-to-avoid-topical-antibiotics

Hackett, P., & Shlim, D. (2024). High Elevation Travel & Altitude Illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/high-elevation-travel-and-altitude-illness

CDC Yellow Book 2024

Roach RC, Larson EB, Hornbein TF, Houston CS, Bartlett S, Hardesty J, Johnson D, Perkins M. Acute mountain sickness, antacids, and ventilation during rapid, active ascent of Mount Rainier. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1983 May;54(5):397-401. PMID: 6347173.