Checklist For A Medicine Cabinet In Every Home

Some people take the importance of maintaining a medical cabinet too lightly. On the contrary, medicine cabinet is of utmost importance. Try thinking of a thousand chance of getting injured while doing the chores, and you feel creepy.

We filled our wardrobes and pantries with merchandise beyond our needs. And yet we are caught unaware of maintaining that little cabinet that would save our lives and lives of other.

Maintaining a medical cabinet with basic first aid kits is a must for families with kids. Kids are prone to injuries due to their active nature. In the event that the need arises and infirmaries are beyond reach, medical cabinets are of value.

There is no need to have a pharmacy-size medicine cabinet. What is important is that it has all the most essential, over-the-counter, at-home-first-aid products for medication. Home treatment are basically first aid treatment. Forget about oxygen tanks and CT scans. You are not building a hospital.

If the cost of maintaining a good medicine cabinet is too much, try generic medicines. Generic products are as good as their branded counterparts.

Check your medicine cabinet if it has these following medicines for specific ailment:

1. For allergies -- to relieve sneezing and runny nose, have antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine and clemastine. These medicines really works but causes sleepiness. Eyedrops that contain an antihistamine and decongestant helps soothe itchy eyes.

2. Stomachaches -- Some bellypains just need rest and will be okay in a few minutes. But in some cases, you need a good medication to alleviate pain. Calcium carbonate will do magic. Some stomachaches will lead to diarrhea. So it is advisable to have loperamide.

3. Cold or Flu -- Phenylephrine will decongest everything in the respiratory tract caused by cold virus. Some symptoms will be cured with loratadine or diphenhydramine. For nasal decongestion, try stocking saline drops around. This product comes in handy for your infants if you use bulb suction.

4. Cough -- A suppressant dextromethorpan is good enough to combat a dry, hacking cough. If your cough is producing mucus, you need an expectorant that will help loosen secretions like guaifenesin.

5. Cuts and burns -- You need a box of adhesive strips and box of gauze pads. You need it if someone suffers cuts, bruises, scrapes, and burns. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide is a must too. It stings less than alcohol do. Open wounds are susceptible to bacteria and germs. It should be bandaged well. You also need an antibiotic ointment to protect and moisten a closed wound or a minor burn.

6. Fever -- There are lots of medications for fever in the market today. But it's best to stick with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin works wonders too but should not be taken by children or adults taking blood thinners. Keep a thermometer. But a thermometer with mercury should be used with adult supervision.

7. Rashes, bug bites, and other skin problems -- Calamine lotion helps soothe rashes that really itched. Antihistamine cream could be of use for intense itching. If it won't work, try cortisone cream instead.

Do not place your medicine cabinet within children's reach. But do not hide it on the ceiling or under the planks. Place it on the most conspicuous part of the house easier to locate for all adult family members.