Family Medicine Chest

Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their use. All are quite cheap and should be stocked up at home in preparation for any minor illness or accident. Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock, or store them well out of the reach of children.

Antihistamine Tablets - For relief of inflammation from stings or itchy rashes and other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and swelling associated with insect bites.

Antiseptic Cream - For treating septic spots and sores on intact skin, not on open wounds.

Antiseptic Mouthwash - Gargles will often relive a sore throat.

Calamine Lotion - For dabbing on bites, stings and sunburn. Also soothes chickenpox and shingles.

Cotton Wool - For dabbing on calamine lotion, use gauze for cleaning cuts and grazes.

Dressings, plasters and bandages - Always useful – for minor cuts and grazes.

Menthol Crystals / Vapour Rub - Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.

Paracetamol mixture - For the relief of pain or fever in young children. Do not use medicine and gel together.

Paracetamol or Aspirin Tablets - Good for headaches, colds, sore throats, and painful bruises. Under no circumstances should Aspirin be given to children under the age of 16.

Sunscreen - For protection from the sun – a must!

Thermometer - For measuring fevers.

Tweezers - For removing splinters and ticks.

Discard all creams three months after opening, they have lost their effectiveness after this time.

Remember that your local pharmacy can give you advice about all medicines.