Healthcare Supplies for the College Student

Your children do very little to guard their own health. Now, they're going off to college, and you are worried sick. While experience is the best teacher, there are some things you can do to make sure they are somewhat equipped to take care of themselves.

Healthcare cards: Order extra health care cards and make sure a set is in your child's wallet. At the very least, give them a photocopy. This way they won't be held up in case of a medical emergency.

Vitamins: All students should take a multi vitamin of some sort for illness prevention. As the nutritional value of their diet is questionable, and they will often go without sleep, a supplement is needed to help prevent illness. Women should also take calcium and vitamin D to keep their bones strong. Try to get them to build a habit of taking vitamins before they leave home or you nay be wasting your money buying these items. Also, purchase EmergenC or other vitamin C product for when they or their roommate gets the sniffles. Zycam and Zinc products are also helpful in getting over colds faster.

Medication: If your student is on regular medication, be sure to find a nearby pharmacist where they can pick up their prescriptions. As for over the counter medication, a large bottle of 100 or so Tylenol or Advil will hold the average person for a year. If your child has severe food allergies, get an epi-pen for them to keep on their person.

First Aid Kit: Pack a first keep to keep cuts and scrapes from becoming major infections. It should include hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin, gauze pads and tape, and large and small band-aids. An ice-pack, ace bandage, and eye cup (for flushing eyes) should be included. Don't forget to include a thermometer and tweezers.

Hand Sanitizer: As colds are spread by the hand, and illnesses flourish on the campus, a large bottle or two of hand sanitizer will lessen your child's chances of getting ill.

Cough and cold medicine: Send plenty in case the roommate does not have any cough medicine either. It is better to provide cold and cough medicine for two than to have roommates pass a cold back and forth.