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What should I have in our home medicine cabinet. I have a 7-year old and a baby on the way. Thanks?

I want to create an emergency type kit / medicine cabinet to ensure I have the basis medicines, tools, etc on-site in case of an emergency. Also, any easy-to-understand lliterature or tips would be helpful.

Public Comments

  1. Not sure what exactly you should have, but with little hands, make sure you have a kidproof safety lock on it to keep little hands from getting into it.
  2. I have a two year old and I still remmember being a child, I'm also a first time parent so don't quote me on this. For a medical kit you will need EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF AND THEM SOME!!!! I've learned that it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I feel if you keep that as a general rule of thumb you are as prepaired as you'll ever need to be. Good luck most of all have fun:)
  3. Get some anti-nausea for when you are feeling nauseous! It is a relief not to have to be aiming for the can every 30-odd minutes when you are sick. One of the few medecines I keep about for myself is Acetaminaphen (prefer) or Sudafed. Though you will never find it curing you of anything, it can certainly be a relief when it comes to most symptoms. I am not a doctor.
  4. Well you need to have the basics: 1. Bandages 2. Gauze 3. Polysporin Ointment 4. Bactine(or other antiseptic spray) 5. Aloe Vera 6. Adhesive Tape 7. Scissors 8. Tweezers 9. Solarcaine 10. Elastic Bandages in various sizes 11. Benadryl(both for adults and children) 12. Tylenol (both for adults and children) 13. Baby Wipes 14. Hand Sanitizer These should get you on your way. The thing to remember is to check your supplies, things like Tylenol and Benadryl do have expiry dates, so you will need to replace them every couple of years. For literature, I would speak to your pharmacist, they can provide you with all the information you will need. Good Luck and I hope this helps.
  5. In addition to the other things people have said, make sure you get some Ipecac. In case your child ingests something toxic, you can give them ipecac to induce vomiting. Call poison control though, but ipecac is good to have on hand.
  6. Bandaids, bandaids, bandaids, as well as some old towels just incase you have a real accident that bleeds like crazy, also children's tylenol, kids cold meds, vitamins, as well as some cough syrup.
  7. Ipacac syrup is the main thing that comes to mind in case your child eats something that is poisonous, but call poison control first before administering. Other medications have a short shelf life and I would get them only as needed. I would also have a good supply of assorted bandaids and a antiseptic cream for cuts and scrapes.
  8. 0.9% Saline Solution Sprayer: The most popular brand is called Wound Wash, this is for spraying out debris from a wound. Cold Pressed Castor Oil: Not the processed stuff at drug stores. You can find it at most health food stores, but if not a good source is http://www.mothernature.com This oil is pressed from the Ricinus communis bean and is strongly antiseptic plus it speeds healing. This oil is a great alternative to antibiotic oinments because there is a far less risk of allergic reaction and in my experience it speeds healing faster. Even if you don't have an initial reaction to an antibiotic, a huge percentage of people will develope an allergic reaction if repeatedly exposed to one, especially neomycin. Also antibiotics can cause cross infection if an infection is already present because many types of bacteria, once established, are, or can quickly become resistant to bacitracin and neomycin (polymyxin only kills fungi), so the bacteria uses the ointment as a medium to spread and grow. There is little risk of cross infection with castor because bacteria cannot develope a resistance to it. Castor is also amazing on diaper rash, but if the rash becomes severe always see a doctor. Chlorhexidine (brand name Hibiclens): A germicide for cleaning wounds that does not sting or slow healing like alcohol and peroxide. You could also use Betadine but unlike Chlorhexidine, Betadine can absorb into the blood stream and too much on the skin can cause side effects. On minor wounds this is overkill, just spray saline and apply castor oil. Bandaids, ace bandages, medical tape, gauze rolls. Ipecac is effective if used immediately, but if the child has already developed symptoms of poisoning it is recommended to just wait for an ambulance. For dry skin I recommend Jojoba oil instead of lotion, a good source is http://www.thecatalog.com ALWAYS DO A PATCH TEST WITH ALL OF THESE THINGS TO MAKE SURE YOU CHILD IS NOT SENSITVE OR ALLERGIC TO THE SUBSTANCE.
  9. Some type of no-sting antiseptic wash for cuts and scrapes Rubber gloves An ear syringe Eye wash & eye drops (just plain visine or something similar) Various sizes/shapes of Band-aids Tissues Tweezers Scissors Nail clippers Gauze Adhesive tape (the kind for bandaging) Duct tape (not to use on your skin, but it can be very handy in a lot of situations) Cold packs (the type you break to activate) Ace bandages Baking soda (mix with water for insect bites and stings) Sunscreen Aloe Vera gel Hand sanitizer Baby wipes plastic baggies/garbage bags small notepad and pen flashlight Benadryl Tylenol Pepto-bismol Orajel Gas relief drops (for the baby on the way) A small amount of your prescription medications (in case you miss a dose or are late refilling it) Epi-pen if anyone in your family has one for severe allergies Also, keep a list with your doctor's name, address, and phone number, each family member's allergies and any medications they may be taking, any history of past serious injuries or diseases, a copy of your insurance card, another family member or responsible friend's phone number to be an emergency contact person, the phone number for poison control, your local fire department's non-emergency phone number, your local police/sheriff's non-emergency phone number, any 24-hour nurse line you have access to, and a list of after hours clinics/urgent care locations in your area. I would also strongly reccommend taking a CPR and first aid class. When you take the class, your instructor will usually give you a small booklet that shows how to care for various minor injuries, in case you need a reminder. You might also be able to find a basic first aid booklet at your pharmacy or a bookstore. Make sure that all your medications are clearly marked, not expired, and that you have the right dosage strengths for your family members (adult, child, and infant in your case). Keep all your supplies in a clearly marked box with a child-resistant latch in an accessible location. Make sure all your family members, babysitters, and any frequent visitors to your home know where to find it. Don't be afraid to take it out and use your supplies, even if it isn't an "emergency situation." After all, you have them around for a reason.
  10. I've seen a lot of great suggestions of things to keep on hand, but for a TRUE EMERGENCY Kit, go to Wal-Mart and get a small plastic box, stock it with these things... -Bandages-the multi size box. The kids like the cartoons, but the cloth ones move better with little knees and elbows -Gauze-I buy one box of the jumbo non stick pads and cut them down to the size i need. -Steri-strips-if you know how to use them. -Medical Tape-Any kind will do -Ace Bandage-I bought one medium sized one, it'll hold till for an emergency moment and it comse in handy for everything from holding ice packs to splinting limbs. -Neosporin Ointment-an offbrand will work just as good, I like the one with the pain killer in it -Bactine-This is a MUST! You can also buy a wash from bactine that you spray on the wound to wash out the wound, I like it for skinned knees because its got a pain killer in it, but its not necessary. -Scissors -Tweezers -Dermoplast-this is a multipurpose aerosol spray that's also good for scrapes and sunburns, not necessary, but comes in handy as well (these arent emergent, but also good to have onhand in a convenient place) -Benadryl(adults and child) -Tylenol (adults and child) -Triaminic -Teething tablets-these are FANTASTIC! They dissolve in baby's mouth and stop the pain very quickly -Anti-gas drops-another must! I've seen Syrup of Ipecac listed a couple of times here DO NOT BUY THIS !!! Any pediatrician will tell you it does more harm than good. A better bet is to keep poison control on speed dial! The box makes it easy to get out and put on the floor or the couch rather than trying to fumble through a cabinet 5 feet up on the wall when your 3 foot tall child is sitting on the dirty toilet across the bathroom. Keep the box simple though, don't overload it with things that arent necessary for immediate family like rubber gloves. I really dont care if my son bleeds on me. If you start overloading the box, it wont be a Qick First Aid kit, which is what your looking for! There can always be an emergency you can't prepare for, but thats what 911 and the ER are for. Don't worry about stuffing it with pamphlets on first aid either, if your having an emergency, chances are your not going to take the time to pull it out and follow instructions! You either know how to handle it or you dont, if you dont, go to the ER. Think Simple!!!! I also tape a couple of peices of paper to the inside of my box. One with emergency numbers on it; emergency room, poison control, physicians, dentist, someone to drive you to the ER in a paniced moment when you cant think lol. I know it seems simple, but most people don't do it and you never know when you'll need it! Another thing I started doing with my son was to take all of his dosage information for medications (OTC and perscription if any) and list them for each child. It gets a little confusing with 3/4 tsp of this and 1/2 tsp of that, especially when you have more than one child. I change it every time we go to the pediatrician. I hope that helps! Congrats on the new baby!
  11. I think it's a must to have something for a fever or a cold at least. You also need a thernometer to take temperartures. You need the usual band aids, bandages, antiseptics, anti-biotic creams, bandages for burns, ointment for burns, sissors, tweezers, cotton wool and lints, a list of emergencies numbers at hand, your pediatrician's number. I know that if you go to a pharmacy, they will give you further advice and help you collect the basic first aid things you need. Also be wary of any medicines your child may be allergic too.
  12. check with dr..and pharmacist. but band aids... thermometer..preferably one that is digital and can be used under arm. i would purchase medicine for colds and temperatures as needed..and after consulting doctor.. due to expiration...and precautionary measures. maybe a creme for cuts and scrapes. other meds as i stated should be purchased upon doctor recommendation...including those for diahrea..bee stings..swimmers ear... stys..and ear aches.
  13. Response to Tiff...skip over the Ipecac. If you induce vomiting in a person (child or adult) that has swallowed a caustic susbtance and they vomit, it will only burn more tissue on the way up. Call poison control first!