Medicine Cabinet Essentials
My friends call me the “mama” for two reasons: I cook a lot and I always have medicine to help them feel better. It kind of cracks me up, because in my mind, it is necessary to have a stocked medicine cabinet in case I get sick.
But then, I go to my friends houses and they have nothing. nada. zip. But here’s the deal…there’s nothing worse than being sick and having to run to the drugstore to grab medicine. So my advice is stock up before you’re sick. That way, when you are sick, the only trip you have to make to get medicine is from your bed to your bathroom.
Here are some essentials I always keep on hand:
- Pain, headache, and fever management. I always have a few different kinds of pain meds on hand: TYLENOL – for pain, fever reducer; IBUPROFEN – for pain, fever reducer, anti-inflammatory; EXCEDRIN – best for headaches; and MIDOL – for menstrual cramps, bloating, etc. Also, always make sure to have a THERMOMETER on hand!
- Cold, congestion, and cough. My favorites for cold are TYLENOL COLD- the all in one cold medicine for everything – cough, headache, sore throat, and sinus gunk; MUCINEX – cough suppressant and expectorant, SUDAFED - decongestant; and COUGH DROPS
- Allergies and Itching. Always have BENADRYL – sneezing, itchy and water eyes, runny nose and sore throat (also works perfect as sleeping aid); HYDROCORTISONE CREAM - for bugbites, poison ivy, oak, etc; VISINE – eye drops
- Digestive Issues. – I always keep PEPTO BISMAL on hand – for nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach; IMODIUM – for gas, diarrhea, bloating, and pressure
- Bandages & Ointments. I always have the variety pack of BANDAIDS; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE- for cleaning wounds; and NEOSPORIN - to prevent infections on wounds; ALOE VERA GEL – to heal and soothe burns
Once you have these, you will almost never have to go to the drugstore while being sick. You’ll feel a lot more confident about being sick (ha! sounds crazy right?) now that you have all the necessary medicines to help you feel better.
Question: What do you keep in your medicine cabinet? Did I miss anything?
