This post is from the archives. It was one of the first posts for this social media project when it launched back in October 2018.
I’m always surprised to meet patients/families that aren’t prepared for minor illnesses or injuries – and, I promise you, these always happen at the most inconvenient times. Having a plaster for a cut finger or a paracetamol for a fever or headache on hand is one of those small conveniences in life.
Consider putting all first aid supplies in one box where it can be quickly found if needed. And remember to store all medicines safely out of reach of little ones.
Like all docs, I firmly believe every parent & child care provider – that includes granny! – should be trained in first aid and CPR – which also includes choking. Every second counts while waiting for an ambulance when the unthinkable happens. W
What goes in the medicine cabinet? Here are things to consider, depending on your family, circumstances, and health:
• Paracetamol** (adult) and (child)
• Ibuprofen** (adult and child)
• Cold decongestant** (adult only) containing pseudoephedrine
• Piriton/oral antihistamine**
• Calpol/snufflebabes type products
• Saline nasal spray/nasal suction bulb (infants/toddlers)
• Cotton balls
• Plasters – box of generic different sizes
• Wound pad/gauze – for temporarily dressing any wound to take to GP/hospital/local injury unit
• Burn gel**
• Medical tape (handy for taping toe and finger injuries “buddy strapping”)
• Sudocrem or Calamine lotion (for skin irritations or insect bites). For families who suffer with psoriasis/eczema, cream that they usually use for flares (such as E45 or Silcock’s Base)
• Digital tympanic membrane thermometer (with probe covers)
• Bonjela for mouth ulcers
• Nail clippers – baby and adult (keeping your older child’s nails short will help prevent common problems such as painful infections of fingernail fold from biting and ingrown/lost toe nails in athletes/dancers)
• Gaviscon
• Duphulac
• Vicks vaporub (just for the record, put it on their chest not their feet. It works better.)
• Nit comb (for wet combing/weekly lice check in school children)
• Extra box of tissues
**The generic/pharmacy own-brand of these drugs are cheaper and work just as well as the brand names!
What isn’t there: Cough bottle, gel ice packs, and antiseptic wound cleaner. No left over antibiotics or prescriptions of any sort: all safely disposed or returned to chemist for disposal.
What’s in the kitchen? The internet is full of bad – and frankly strange – adviec on “home remedies”. What does work? (Based on science)
- table salt (warm salt water gargle for sore throats),
- honey (cough) – for adults and children over age of 12 months
- bag of frozen peas marked “do not eat” – wrapped in a towel, this makes the best, cheapest, and most reusable cold compress for injury ever.
- Constipation: Try prune juice or, for babies, your GP might recommend trying brown sugar in cooled boiled water (remember that you’ll be recommended to use small amounts – just 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar in 30mL cooled boiled water, no more than three times day)
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