Medicine Cabinet Essentials: Be Prepared for Accidents and Illness

Fall is a good time to clean out and restock your medicine cabinet. By keeping some essential items in your medicine cabinet, you won't have to rush out to the nearest drugstore the next time an accident or illness occurs.

You never know what illnesses or injuries will happen.

To name a few: It is best to be prepared for:

• Colds, coughs, the flu
• Insect bites, rashes, burns,
• Cuts, splinters, scrapes
• Muscle aches, sprains, infections
• Headaches and stomach upsets

The location of the medicine cabinet does not have to have to be in the bathroom. A shelf in a linen closet will work fine.

Prescription medicine in fact, should not be kept in the bathroom since heat and humidity affect quality and potency. Also it's a good idea to keep all your medicine locked up and out of sight from curious children and guests.

Once your medications reach their expiration date it is important not to use them anymore, as they lose their effectiveness. Follow directions for the disposing of prescription drugs.

The following medicinal supplies can provide some relief as well as time, if you think you might need professional treatment.

Coughs and allergies
Benadryl, Nyquil, Robitussin, cough drops,
small pack of Kleenex for nosebleeds

Insect bites, rashes,
Desitin, Hydrocortisone cream,
Insect repellent, sunscreen, aloe gel

Cuts, splinters, scrapes, burns, infections
bandaids, Neosporin, burn gel, sterile gauze pads,
tape, ace bandage, cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide,
tweezers, scissors, disposable gloves.

Muscle aches and pains
Tylenol, Epsom salts,
therma-care wraps,
Ice pack, heating pad, rubbing alcohol

Headaches
Aspirin, Tylenol, Excedrin Migraine
Some people may not tolerate certain pain relievers, so keep a small variety on hand
Baby aspirin or children's Tylenol if children visit.

Stomach upsets
Pepto Bismol, OTC Prilosec;
A gentle laxative,Tums.

Menstrual Supplies
Aleve or Pamprin
Pads and Tampons

A few other essentials
Toothpaste, new toothbrush
Toothache and gum treatment such such as Oragel
Dental floss and picks
Mouthwash

Eye wash with eye cup, liquid tears

It is important to know that OTC (Over the Counter) medicine can be harmful even deadly, when misused or used over a long time.

Keep all pain relievers and cough and cold medicine locked away. Store all medications in a cool, dry place above the reach of children and teens. Even if you don't have children of your own, your visiting friends might.

You can buy small sizes of most of your medicine cabinet essentials at any drugstore. Also OTC brand medications are frequently equal in quality and effectiveness to brand names. As long as both products contain the same ingredients, you can usually save some money by buying the store brand.

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/07/earlyshow/health/main5291862.shtml

http://www.titus2atthewell.com/stocking-your-medicine-cabinet

Personal experience