Think about those very occasional household emergencies you have experienced, and what you wished you had had on hand! It’s really that simple.

• Adhesive bandages of assorted sizes (to cover minor cuts and scrapes)
• Gauze pads (to dress larger cuts and scrapes)
• Adhesive tape (to keep gauze in place)
• Alcohol wipes and hydrogen peroxide (to disinfect wounds)
• Antibiotic ointment

• Something for diarrhea, Imodium is over-the-counter and works well.
• Something for nausea, like Dramamine, also over-the-counter.
• Antacids for heartburn, upset stomach and bloating

It’s hard to know exactly what you will need for this category, but try to keep at least some cough medicine in your cabinet so that you can get relief at night, if this occurs.
Pain and fever

• Acetaminophen and NSAIDs.  Both reduce fever, and NSAIDs also reduce swelling.  Not sure of which to use when?  This will help – Pain Reliever Guide.

Allergies, hives and bug bites

• Antihistamine
• Decongestant (be very careful that dosages are age appropriate)
• Hydrocortisone cream

• Thermometer
• Eyewash
• Tweezers
• Cotton balls or pads

• Clean out your medicine cabinet at least once a year to remove expired medications and creams.
• Keep any OTC medicines in their original packaging so that you have dosing instructions and expiration dates available.
• Sometimes a medicine cabinet is not the best location for your “medicine cabinet”!  Try to keep this collection in a dry location that does not get too hot, too humid or too bright.

Remember, the goal of a well-stocked medicine cabinet is convenience.  When someone in your household needs minor medical help, the last thing you want to do is make a run to a drug store.  Consider who is in your house, and what their needs are, and then you can personalize the contents of your medicine cabinet to meet your needs.