04/02/2026
A stocked medicine cabinet can mean the difference between a minor incident and an uncomfortable and unforgettably bad experience. Here is a list of some essential items that should be kept in almost every medicine cabinet as clean out those old, outdated products. 1. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen - used for wide variety of aches, pains, fever, etc. 2. Thermometer - fever determination. 3. Antihistamine (Benadryl or Zyrtec etc.) - useful for treating allergic reactions. Be careful with older antihistamines like Benadryl which can cause drowsiness and urinary retention. Newer agents like Claritin or Zyrtec are non-sedating and are effective for emergency management as well. 4. Nasal Saline Spray - useful to treat nasal congestion and sooth nasal lines due to nasal congestion. Include a nasal aspiration bulb if infants and young children will be in the household. 5. Bandages, gauze pads, cotton balls, and triple antibiotic ointment - clean, cover, and treat minor accidents and bleeding incidents. 6. Hydrocortisone cream/ointment - relieve minor rashes and localized itching due to allergies, contact dermatitis, etc. 7. Imodium AD or Pepto-Bismol - treatment of mild but uncomfortable bouts of diarrhea. Avoid Pepto-Bismol in children with Flulike symptoms as Pepto contains salicylates and may result in increased risk of Reye's syndrome. 8. Antacids such as Maalox, Tums, Mylanta - treat heartburn and indigestion. 9. Benzocaine throat lozenges (Cepacol) - eliminate sore throats. 10. Tweezers - Remove foreign objects like splinters embedded in the skin. Also, can be used for grooming requirements etc. 11. Sunscreen and Burn Creams - prevent sunburns and skin cancer as well as sooth and cool minor burns
