Trying to stay current these days on the do’s and don’ts of air travel can trip up even the most experienced traveler.

U.S. military officials in Europe and the United States encourage Defense Department personnel on this side of the Atlantic to routinely check for changes in policy. The Transportation Security Administration, www.tsa.gov, sets such policies for the Department of Homeland Security.

Even the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command is following the TSA’s lead.

“All of the TSA standards are being implemented at our AMC terminals,” said Angel Lopez, a spokeswoman for AMC headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Those adjustments were made last week. But in the current environment, guidelines and policies can change overnight.

U.S. flightsThe Transportation Security Administration has spelled out what you cannot carry on flights within or to the U.S. Here are some prohibited items:

Makeup.Aerosol spray bottles and cans.All creams and lotions, including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions and moisturizers.Eye drops (see exceptions below).Gel deodorants.Hair styling gels.Lip gels and balms.Mascara.Nonprescription liquid or gel medicines.Mouthwash.Saline solution (exceptions below).Shampoos and conditioners.Toothpaste.Food.All beverages.Baby teethers with gel or liquid inside.Here are some items that can be carried on:

Eye drops and/or saline solution — you are allowed to carry up to 4 ounces of eye drops.Prescription and nonprescription medications and other medical needs.Baby formula and food, breast milk and other baby items.Laptop computers, cellular phones, iPods, and other portable electronic devices. These items must still be screened at the security checkpoint.For the full list of permitted and prohibited items, go to www.tsa.gov.

United KingdomRegulations apply to all passengers flying out of airports in the U.K., including those transferring from international flights, according to the Department of Transport Web site.

Each passenger is permitted one carry-on bag. Its dimensions must not exceed a maximum length of 17.7 inches, width of 13.7 inches and depth of 6.2 inches, including wheels, handles, side pockets.

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried as the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be X-ray screened.

No liquids of any type are permitted, other than essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic, and baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

All laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so they neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag;

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be X-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

For more information, go to: www.dft.gov.uk.

GermanySome restrictions apply for flights to the U.S. or England.

No water bottles, beverages, sun cream, hair gel or similar substances are permitted. Exceptions are medicines and baby food. Parents may be asked to taste the baby food in front of security officials.

For all other flights leaving the Germany, normal travel regulations and restrictions apply.

For more information, call the Frankfurt Airport Service Hotline at 0900-159-9006.

ItalyENAC, Italy’s authority for the security of airlines, issued a bulletin Monday that banned liquids, gels or sprays from flights bound for the United Kingdom, United States and Israel.

Medications and food for children are exempt, but must be tested before permitted beyond the security gates.

Travelers from Italy bound for one of those three countries can carry gel or aerosol products only if bought in the commercial areas past the security check, said Luigi Irdi, a spokesman for Italy’s Ministry of Transportation.

These rules are in effect until Aug. 31, when ENAC officials will revisit the restrictions and determine if they should remain in place.

Such restrictions have not been imposed on flights bound to other parts of the world. However, Italian airport officials tightened security restrictions and are conducting random, manual inspections of some travelers’ carry-on luggage.

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