When was the last time you updated your medicine cabinet stash of fever reducers, decongestants and adhesive bandages? Do you have a home first aid kit stocked and ready to respond to an emergency requirement? Do you know the differences between acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium?
Ideally, the answer to these questions should be yes, but if not, this article is here to help. This list of must-have items clarifies what you should have in your home medicine cabinet in case of minor illnesses and injuries. Note that for severe conditions, bypass your medicine cabinet and go directly to your doctor for proper care. Items and tools in your home medicine cabinet should only treat minor injuries, cuts, headaches, burns, coughs, itching, diarrhoea, allergies or a runny nose. The must-have items include:
Activated charcoal
Always stock activated charcoal in your medical cabinet, especially if you have young children. The substance is necessary as it helps induce vomiting in case of an ingested poison. Research shows that activated charcoal is better at removing all stomach contents than syrup. However, if someone swallowed a poisonous substance or overdosed on medicine, nothing can beat professional help from a doctor. If professional assistance is at a distance, you should not fear administering activated charcoal without fear of causing substantial harm to the affected individual.
CBD
Headaches are common problems that affect almost all members of the family. For this reason, always ensure you have CBD for headaches in your home’s medicine cabinet. CBD is a medicinal cannabis product extracted from a genus product with minimal THC content. The compound helps relieve headaches and migraines in the body by protecting the endocannabinoid system, which regulates inflammation, pain and sleep. When preparing a CBD oil for headaches, ensure to follow the guidelines outlined below:
- Decide on topical or oral CBD
- Figure out the dosage
- Rest and evaluate
Pain relievers
Whether you have menstrual cramps, headaches, or a pulled muscle, non-prescription pain relievers are a necessity for your home medicine cabinet. There are three main types of pain relievers that relieve pain and reduce fever. You may find one that works best for your needs while others may not. The most common pain medications include aspirin, acetaminophen and anti-inflammatories.
When taking these pain relievers, following package directions is crucial. This is because aspirin can cause stomach complications in some people, while excess acetaminophen can cause discomforts or even liver failure.
Allergy medications
Are you or your family members prone to suffering from allergies? Depending on where you live and the season of the year, a well-stocked medicine cabinet should contain treatments for allergies. Sometimes it can be challenging to differentiate between flu, common cold, and allergies. So if you suffer from allergies, allergy medicines and eye drops should come in hand. The most common types of allergy treatments are antihistamines available in several varieties. For daytime use, non-drowsy antihistamines are recommended, but sleep-promoting medication can be beneficial if your allergies keep you from sleeping. If you frequently suffer from nasal congestion due to an allergy, you can buy essential oils from Revive that can greatly help with your problem.
Anti-bacterial creams and ointments
Anti-bacterial creams and ointments are medications used to treat or prevent minor skin infections resulting from abrasions, insect bites, and scrapes. Note that there is a difference between creams and ointments, so you should select one that works best for you. Creams are water-soluble and should only be used after the exposed wound is washed with water and soap. On the other hand, ointments are oil-based and can be used even when exposed to water.
A thermometer
A fever can be a sign of illness in both adults and children. Medical professionals advise that any adult with a fever of 39.4° C or higher should consult a doctor. For kids, the temperatures vary by age. That’s why it’s crucial to keep a thermometer in your medical cabinet. Without a thermometer, you can only estimate your body’s temperature. Standard and modern thermometers are cheap, widely available and give accurate temperature readings for infants, kids and adults.
Sunscreen
At some point, you will experience a sunburn, so sunscreen is an essential component for every medicine cabinet. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV lights that cause skin cancer. When choosing a sunscreen for your medicine cabinet, make sure to select one that protects you from harmful UV lights and the sun.
Remember to check the expiration dates of your cabinet medications periodically. Any expired items should be crushed and thrown away as taking them can lead to harmful effects on the body.
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