|
Slight burns, cuts, scrapes and bruises happen in homes all across the world every day. Many of these injuries can be safely taken care of without going to the doctor’s office if you have a well-stocked medicine chest. Here are a few essential supplies for your medicine chest or your first aid kit:
An antibacterial soap – This should be not be used on a regular basis as it can cause the bacteria to become immune to the medication.
Bandaids of various shapes and sizes – to be used on minor scrapes and cuts.
A roll of adhesive tape (not scotch tape) to hold gauze and gauze pads in place.
4 x4-inch gauze pads
A roll of 4-inch gauze to hold dressings in place.
A tube of burn ointment for minor burns.
Baking soda for bee and wasp stings
A themometer.
A pair of tweezers for splinters.
Cotton balls to apply various medications.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen for minor aches, pains and to reduce fever.
An elastic bandage.
Epsom salts.
Syrup of ipecac – consult your poison control center before using.
A tube of hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching and inflammation.
Vaseline for minor burns, wind burning and chapping.
A bottle of Sunburn spray.
A bottle of alcohol.
A bottle of hydrogen peroxide.
A pair of blunt scissors.
Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
An ice pack to reduce swelling.
Activated charcoal – consult your poison control center before using.
Insect repellent
Dosage spoons for medicines.
An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, in pill or liquid form for allergic reactions and itching.
Tongue depressors – used to make a splint for fingers.
A heating pad or hot water bottle to relieve pain.
A cough suppressant and expectorant.
A throat spray and lozenges for sore throats.
A first aid manual.
Saline nose drops for dry scratchy nose.
An antacid to relieve stomach acid.
Emergency phone numbers listing doctors for all members of the household, the nearest hospital, fire emergency numbers, police, ambulance and the local poison control center.
An all purpose eye wash.
Anti-fungal cream for athlete’s foot.
Cotton swabs
A tube of lip balm for chapped lips.
An antibiotic lotion to prevent infections.
At least once a year you will need to inspect the medications in your medicine chest. Use these general guidelines to be sure and keep your medicine chest up to date.
Make sure and throw out all medications past their expiration dates.
Never keep leftover antibiotics.
Throw away any medication that isn’t clearly labeled. If you don’t know what it is, you don’t know what it can do to you.
Throw away any medications, creams, lotions that have changed color.
Throw away any medications you haven’t used in the past year.
Throw away any medications with a peculiar smell.
You shouldn’t throw medications away in your trash containers as animals and small children may get into it and it could cause a potentially fatal reaction. The best way to get rid of old medication is to flush them down the toilet.
| 
