10 Things You Should Always Have in Your Medicine Cabinet
When was the last time you updated your
medicine cabinet and first aid kit? Most medicine cabinets are
overflowing with expired decongestant sprays and old medicines while
also missing many key items. This pretty much leaves you to your own
devices in case of injury, illness, or any other medical emergency,
which is, obviously, not setting you up for success.
Apart from stocking up on your prescriptions, you want to have a set of
medicines and tools that will help you treat anything from minor cuts
and burns to digestive upsets and the flu. Wherever you keep your
medicines, it's important to make sure you've got all the essentials in
stock. Here are 10 medical supplies doctors recommend keeping at home
for everyone.
1. Thermometer
If you have a glass mercury thermometer,
keep in mind that these older models are prone to breakage and contain
dangerous chemicals. If you want to get rid of a mercury thermometer,
avoid throwing it in the trash, as this can be dangerous for you and the
environment. Recycle the device at the nearest recycling center or
pharmacy.
2. Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications
Apart from your prescription medications,
there’s a range of over-the-counter drugs that will be useful for
various medical emergencies and illnesses. Here’s a shortlist of such
medications and why you’d want to stock up on them:
- Pain relievers can help relieve headaches, backaches, muscle pains,
and reduce fevers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good option in pill
form, and topical creams like Icy Hot and Tiger Balm relieve muscle
pains. Rub-on oral painkillers like Orajel, Anbesol, or Zilactin may
also be beneficial if you have gum pain, canker sores, or toothaches.
- Antacids are beneficial for the occasional heartburn. Both products
that contain calcium carbonate (brands like Tums) and magnesium (e.g.
Mylanta) are effective and beneficial.
- Antihistamines help relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny
nose, and itching. Pill varieties that cause fewer side effects include
cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin). A nasal steroid spray
containing fluticasone, triamcinolone, or budesonide can help with a
runny nose and eye drops with olopatadine or ketotifen can be more
effective than pills if your main allergy complaint is itchy or watery
eyes.
In addition to the basic list of medicines, you may want to add other
items tailored to your needs. For example, you may need hydrating eye
drops if you have dry eyes. If you’re prone to constipation, you may
want to add a bulk-forming laxative with psyllium; or stock up on
phenazopyridine (Uristat and Prodium) if you’re prone to bladder
infections and need to relieve burning and other unpleasant symptoms
quickly. The bottom line is, think of what extra OTC medications you and
other family members may need.
3. Blood pressure monitor
A blood pressure (BP) monitor is one of the
most useful medical devices for the home, especially if you’re older,
or live with hypertension or hypotension. If you’re generally healthy
and have no cardiovascular issues, there’s no need to measure your blood
pressure every day. But checking your blood pressure when you don’t
feel well can help detect a problem early.
A BP monitor is even more beneficial for those who have low or high
blood pressure. It helps track your daily blood pressure and make
adjustments in your medication dose with your doctor if you notice that
your current medication isn’t working.
4. Sunscreen
Keep a big bottle of sunscreen in your
medicine cabinet at all times. Ideally, it should be between SPF 30 and
SPF50 and should have the label “broad spectrum,” which means that it
will protect you from both ultraviolet and infrared sun rays.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that you wear sunscreen on
the face and body every day you go outside (going out in the garden or
yard counts as outside too). Sunscreen will protect you from skin cancer
and signs of skin aging, so it’s beneficial for everyone.
5. Bug repellent
If you’re prone to getting bug bites,
having a bug repellent spray or cream is a must-have in the summer. But
even if you only go outside occasionally, having a bottle of bug
repellent is beneficial for keeping disease-causing ticks and mosquitos
away. You can even make your own bug repellent out of natural
ingredients if you’d like. SEE MY NEXT POST
6. Melatonin
In the past few years, a lot of research has been done regarding the importance of sleep for our health. Unfortunately, many people are light sleepers or just get the occasional stress-induced insomnia. For these occasional sleep mishaps, taking a pill with melatonin can help you fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally present hormone in our brain. It helps us fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, so taking a melatonin supplement can help fight insomnia if you have trouble sleeping naturally.
In the past few years, a lot of research has been done regarding the importance of sleep for our health. Unfortunately, many people are light sleepers or just get the occasional stress-induced insomnia. For these occasional sleep mishaps, taking a pill with melatonin can help you fall asleep. Melatonin is a naturally present hormone in our brain. It helps us fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, so taking a melatonin supplement can help fight insomnia if you have trouble sleeping naturally.
7. Bandages
Injuries like cuts, scrapes, minor burns,
and just plain blisters are the reality of life. So it’s better to be
prepared for such mishaps and keep an assortment of bandages and
antiseptics in stock. According to The American Red Cross, a family of
four should have a kit stocked with 25 adhesive bandages in various
sizes, 1 roll of adhesive tape, 2 roller bandages, 10 sterile pieces of
gauze, and two absorbent compress dressings.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean wounds, and an antibiotic cream
like Neosporin can help heal and disinfect a minor wound or burn.
Lastly, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) suggests that
older adults better use silicone sensitive skin bandages instead of
regular bandages because they will be easier to remove without tearing
the skin.
8. Remedies for itchy skin and sunburns
For the times that you do get an allergic
reaction or bug bite on your skin, having a topical itch relief cream
like an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream is a real lifesaver.
Plain old calamine lotion, aloe vera gel, or an antihistamine cream also
help you soothe itching caused by sunburn, poison ivy, bug bites, and
other itchy skin issues, but they may not be as effective as
hydrocortisone.
At the same time, note that hydrocortisone should not be used for more
than 2 weeks, as it may lead to skin thinning. So, if you have an itchy
spot that persists for over 2 weeks, you’ll need to seek professional
help.
9. Cough remedies
Most coughs will go away on their own and
don’t require any medical help. If you have a fever, treating it with
acetaminophen can help. You can use a saline nasal spray to clear up a
stuffy nose. Decongestant sprays and pills are also available, but
doctors recommend avoiding them for older adults, as their active
ingredients can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, cause
insomnia, and can cause rebound nasal congestion too after a few days.
Avoid combining cold medicines with pain and fever relievers because it
can lead to an acetaminophen overdose. Around 30,000 Americans go to the
emergency room every year as a result of combing acetaminophen and cold
medicine with acetaminophen, like NyQuil.
10. Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) is an
essential product. It has countless beneficial uses around the house.
Crucially, it relieves dry skin and chipping nails, softens rough skin
on the elbows and feet, prevents chafing, and works as an excellent
moisturizer for dry skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology states that petroleum jelly can be
just as successful as antibiotic creams in healing minor cuts or
scrapes. Just wash the area with soap and water, then cover it in a thin
layer of petroleum jelly, and put a bandage on top. Change the bandage
daily, and it should heal in a few days.