Medicine cabinets are really helpful, and knowing what to put in them is important.
According to AllYou.com, medicine cabinets should not even be used for storing medicine. Rather, it will be best used for keeping various items, such as the following:
1. Oral care items
Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. These things are used in people's oral hygiene, so keeping them high away from the toilet bowl would be best. Flushing can spray bacteria, and might contaminate such oral hygiene items. Toothpaste, which contains flouride, is best kept away from children's reach, preventing them from ingesting too much.
2. Sunscreen
Although summer is over, having sunscreen within your reach helps as sunburns and cancer-causing sun damage can happen any moment. Keep one that's near SPF30, and make sure to label them with expiry dates when you purchase them, as most formulas will only be potent for three years. Like toothpaste, it's also best out of children's reach.
3. Thermometers
This will be very handy in determining if someone at home is sick. Digital oral varieties are better than mercury thermometers.
4. First aid kits
For basic wounds, cuts, scrapes or burns, it would be good to have some antiseptic wipes, adhesive strips, and 4x4-inch gauze pads around. Medical tape is needed to hold the gauze in place. Other helpful items: liquid bandage for joint wounds, sterile eyewash for irritated eyes, and aloe vera gel for soothing sunburns.
Healthychildren.org adds that according to a book published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it would also be great to have the following stocked up inside your medicine cabinet if you have a baby:
1. Baby nail clippers
Adult-sized nail clippers aren't recommended for use on your baby's nails, so buy one for your little champ.
2. Rectal thermometer
Oral thermometers are good for toddlers and adults, but this is good for baby.
3. Bulb suction and saline drops
Babies with stuffed noses are a scare for parents. Although it's best to avoid overuse, having these on-hand will help.
4. Cotton balls and/or swabs
There are a lot of applications for this one, such as cleaning ears and applying many other things.
5. Fever reducers
It's good to have some within reach, but it's best to be used only when necessary.
6. Diaper cream
It will be convenient to have this for your baby's needs.
7. Petroleum jelly
It is safe and multipurpose. It would be handy on various occasions.
The AAP does not recommend giving over-the-counter cough and cold medicine for children under 4 as these have little benefit, and might have some possible side effects, so it's not necessary to have some in stock.
