searching for what you offer 7 First Aid Kit Must Haves For Your Medicine Cabinet Medically reviewed on Jul 12, 2017 by C. Fookes, BPharm . Previous 1 of 7 Next View as slideshow 1. Pain Medication for Headache, Back Pain, And Ankle Sprain If you were allowed only ONE thing in your first aid kit or cabinet, then a medication to combat pain would have to be it. So many different conditions and most injuries cause pain, so you'll find yourself reaching for these several times a year, if not more. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) is the most basic pain medication. It has few interactions, barely any side effects, and is generally safe for most people to take. Be sure to take only the recommended dose; too much can be toxic to the liver. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ) or naproxen ( Aleve ) treat pain and have the added bonus of calming down inflammation. 2. Relief From Indigestion, Heart Burn, Or Dyspepsia Fatty, greasy or spicy foods can play havoc with your digestion. So can eating too much food, too fast. Which is why keeping a bottle of Maalox or a packet of Tums in your cabinet for occasional indigestion-relief is not a bad idea. However, any symptoms of heart burn, bloating, or stomach discomfort that occur regularly, regardless of what you eat, need to be checked out by a doctor. Indigestion is a symptom of several conditions, some more serious than others. 3. Keep A Cough Suppressant Like Dextromethorphan Handy For A Dry Cough Cough! Cough! Cough!.......Cough! Cough! Cough!....Arrrgggghhhh! Uncontrollable coughing, especially at night can be exasperating for your whole household. So endless praise will be reaped upon you if you happen to have a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan ( Dexalone , Robitussin Cough Gels ) right there in your medicine cabinet to put a stop to the coughing. Just make sure that the person with the dry cough doesn't have any other worrying symptoms. If they are short of breath, a young child, or have a fever it is best to seek medical attention right away. Coughs that sound more chesty are best soothed by expectorants such as guaifenesin ( Mucinex ). 4. Loperamide: Quick Relief From The Bathroom Trots Diarrhea , unfortunately, has a habit of occurring without much warning. Causes are numerous - from viral illnesses, food poisoning , food intolerances, to antibiotics, just to name a few. Save yourself a potentially disastrous dash to get medicine by having an anti-diarrhoeal right on hand. Medications such as loperamide ( Imodium A-D ), bismuth subsalicylate ( Kaopectate ) and diphenoxylate ( Lomotil [prescription-only]) all help control diarrhea, buying you more time to get to the bathroom. Anti-diarrhoeal medications are not always suitable for everyone, so plan ahead and check with your doctor or pharmacist that they are suitable for you, should you ever need them. 5. First Aid Kit Must Have: Basic Wound Dressings For Cuts And Grazed Limbs Injuries around the home are common, so keep a few wound dressings and other products on hand to enable you to perform some basic first aid on a wound before deciding if it neds more professional attention. Most wound care experts recommend either saline (a concentration of 0.9% salt in water) or a commercial wound cleanser with low cytotoxicity (potential to damage cells). Once the wound is clean, cover it with a breathable dressing or gauze. Keep a few different types of dressings in your medicine cabinet; your pharmacist can advise you about the purpose of each one. Antibiotic creams like Neosporin should only be used if prescribed by a doctor, but topical antiseptic agents may be applied after cleansing. If your wound is severe or looks infected you will need to see your doctor for professional treatment. 6. A Soothing Skin Cream For Skin Rashes, Dermatitis, And Mild Eczema Our skin is an amazing organ but it is also reasonably sensitive. Contact with chemicals, certain plants, or concrete pavements can easily disrupt its natural protective function. Having a soothing skin cream on hand like topical hydrocortisone ( Cortaid or Instacort ) provides instant relief and will relieve the urge to scratch which will make your rash worse. Just use a small amount, but see a doctor if the rash starts to look bright red, oozing or infected, or persists for more than a couple of days. Topical hydrocortisone should only be used in young babies under a doctor's advice. If you develop a rash after taking a medicine, contact your doctor immediately; you might be allergic to that medicine which can be deadly . 7. Antihistamine Tablets For Hay Fever, Allergies and Insect Bites More than 10% of the US population 1 is affected by hay fever , with ragweed the most common cause. Even if you don't suffer yourself, a future visitor may do, so keep a packet of antihistamines in your first aid kit. Oral antihistamines are also more useful than antihistamine bite cream for providing relief from itching after multiple insect bites . They are perfect to have on hand for any mild allergic reactions, but always see a doctor if the reaction appears to be getting worse or other symptoms such as difficulty breathing or facial swelling occur. Non-sedating antihistamines (those that don't make you sleepy), such as fexofenadine ( Allegra ) or loratadine ( Claritin ) are best if you need to go to school, work, or drive a vehicle. Alternatively, sedating antihistamines such as diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ) will help you have a good night's rest as well. 1. Allergies and Hay Fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Finished: 7 First Aid Kit Must Haves For Your Medicine Cabinet NEXT UP Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Medication Costs Let s face it - talking about health care costs is not at the top of everybody's to-do list. But with patients being responsible for more out-of-pocket costs, it is important DON'T MISS Seasonal Allergies: Top Prevention Tips Here, review how to safely pick the allergy medicine that may be right for you. View all slides as one page Print this page FDA Consumer Updates Depression: FDA-Approved Medications May Help Dealing with ADHD: What You Need to Know Making Decisions for Your Health: Getting the Info You Need FDA: Cutting-Edge Technology Sheds Light on Antibiotic Resistance More FDA updates delivery
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