What’s in your medicine cabinet? “The answer is important,” says Ada Stewart, M.D., a family doctor who treats older adults in Columbia, South Carolina. While the contents of your cabinet will depend on a number of factors (if you have a health condition, for one), there are a few products Dr. Stewart says that everyone should have. Here are her top six items.
1. Pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, relieve
aches and pains — and also help reduce fevers.
Don’t forget to also keep a thermometer handy.
2. Adhesive bandages keep minor cuts and burns
covered to prevent infection. Be sure to have
some antibiotic ointment on hand too.
3. Hydrocortisone cream is ideal for insect bites and
rashes, and it can help soothe a bout of poison ivy.
Calamine lotion can be a good alternative.
4. Antihistamines, including Benadryl® or Claritin®, are
handy tools for helping to ease seasonal allergies
and pesky mosquito bites.
5. Eye wash solutions and eye drops provide comfort and
relief from allergies. Dry eyes? Include artificial tears or
eye drops in your cabinet as well.
6. Stomach solutions, including Pepto Bismol® or TUMS®,
help to soothe tummy troubles like nausea, heartburn, indigestion, and diarrhea.
