Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves

Medicine Cabinet Essentials

By Vicki Salemi

Apart from deodorant and nail polish remover, what do you really need in there? The answer are treatments for all the minor issues that come up on a random, yet daily, basis: headaches, cuts, aches and fevers, allergies and runny noses, itching and burns. The key word here is minor. For severe symptoms, go directly to your doctor or call 911. Read on to find out what the experts say will pass the medicine cabinet checkup.


The Homeopathist

Even those who like to keep things natural need a little something to boost their health and well-being once in a while. "Arnica is the number one homeopathic remedy for any kind of bumps and bruising," says New York certified homeopathy expert Lauri Grossman, DC. Stress can be treated with aconite, the "remedy par excellence" for fear and anxiety. Grossman suggests reaching for oscillococcinum to ward off potential illness at the first sign of the flu. "Oscillococcinum can prevent the severity of the flu and clear it up a whole lot faster." One last essential for the homeopathic medicine cabinet is nux vomica. "Nux vomica is an incredibly useful natural remedy to get rid of hangovers," said Grossman, adding, "It's also great for type A personalities who push themselves and overdo it."


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The Pediatrician

It would certainly be more practical if children came equipped with a first aid kit -- and instructions. But unless your tot has special needs, "There's not too much you need in your medicine cabinet," says pediatrician Gwenn O'Keeffe, MD. Dr. O'Keeffe suggests keeping fever reducers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, on hand, as well as "something like Benadryl, in case there's an allergic reaction." Tempted to reach for meds when your little one has the sniffles? "They don't suggest cold and cough medicines for kids anymore, so parents shouldn't have those in the medicine cabinet," advises O'Keeffe.


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The Otolaryngologist

The ears, nose and throat are havens for infection, so it's best to keep the proper ENT tools on hand. One ailment that affects the ears is wax buildup. Suman Golla, MD, a specialist at the UPMC Eye and Ear Institute in Pittsburgh, suggests using a hydrogen peroxide solution or an over the counter wax removal system. Oxymetazoline can be used to ease nasal congestion or nose bleeds, and saline nasal sprays such as Ayr are "very helpful in flushing the nose to allow for improved breathing," says Dr. Golla, who also suggests keeping Benadryl on hand in case you're "feeling any constriction in the throat or swelling in the oral cavity, tongue, or lips."


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The Gastroenterologist

When sharp pains start in your stomach, you'll be thankful for a few stomach-taming essentials stowed away in your medicine cabinet. Number one on the list is "some type of antacid like Tums or Maalox," says Dr. Jayaprakash Sreenarasimhaiah, gastroenterologist and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical School, with the warning that these drugs "should be used for intermittent infrequent symptoms." Dr. Sreenarasimhaiah also suggests keeping "anything that contains simethicone like Gas-X or Phasime" for abdominal pain. "A lot of abdominal pain could be related to gas. You should visit a doctor if the pain persists for a long period."


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The Dermatologist

Your skin endures it all, from the whipping winter wind to the sweltering summer sun. There are only a few basics you'll need to shield your external layer from damage. "Sunblock and sunscreen should be used by everyone," says dermatologist Avery Kuflik, MD, of Ocean Medical Center in New Jersey. "It's good for preventing sunburn and cancer, and for young people who want to prevent aging and lines." If you're outdoorsy, don't underestimate the impact of wildlife on your skin. Dr. Kuflik suggests cortisone cream for insect bites and allergic reactions from poison ivy or sumac. If you live in a dry climate, keep moisturizer available.


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The Optometrist

Even if your day-to-day eye care is nothing more than a pair of shades, there may come a time when a stray pebble finds its way into your eye, leaving you in search of relief. Assistant Clinical Professor at Indiana University School of Optometry Dr. Todd Peabody recommends lubricating eye drops to help patients rinse foreign matter out of their eyes. Dr. Peabody advises to "generally avoid eye drops with preservatives, because they can cause adverse reactions." They may also contain decongestants, which "get rid of redness, but a few hours later the red returns because the drops were just masking the symptoms." People with eye allergies should stock "non-preserved artificial tears with an ocular antihistamine drug, like Zaditor" to relieve itchiness.



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The Dentist

Brushing and flossing are givens when it comes to maintenance, but Thomas Gamba, D.D.S., suggests a few other staples to keep your mouth in tip-top shape. "Hydrogen peroxide is useful as a mouth rinse for minor cuts and abrasions on the gums or cheeks," says Dr. Gamba. Other essentials include "mouth rinse, cold sore relief ointment such as Anbesol, instant cold packs for facial injuries and lip moisturizer." Antibiotic ointment can also help soothe lips as it is "useful for small cuts or sores." In the unfortunate case that a tooth gets knocked out, milk is the key ingredient to have on hand. Gamba advises, "The tooth should be placed in cold milk ASAP and rushed to the dentist."


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The Allergist

If you suffer from allergies, simply ignoring your symptoms is just not an option. "The simplest thing that you can keep in your medicine cabinet is Benadryl," says Rebecca Gruchalla, MD, division chief of allergy and immunology at UT Southwestern. Dr. Gruchalla points out that while Benadryl cures itchy eyes and sneezing, the downside is that it can cause drowsiness. If you don't have time to walk around in a daze, Gruchalla suggests non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin. For severe allergy symptoms, look for "an antihistamine-decongestant combo." And beware of using OTC eye drops and nose sprays with frequency. Guchalla warns that if you use these products too often "you can get addicted and the good effects will wear off." Instead, she recommends "washing out your eyes with a saline ocular solution," or visiting your allergist.


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The Sports Medicine Specialist

If you engage in even casual physical activity, it won't hurt to keep a few precautionary items on hand. "First and foremost, athletes and people who wish to remain active benefit by having non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (n-saids) to use as treatment for mild sprains, strains, bruises, aches and pains," says Joseph Guettler, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. Dr. Guettler stresses that n-saids should be used as the first line of treatment in cases of minor discomfort due to athletic activity. For another method of pain relief, "Many athletes find that a sports rub soothes some of the aches and pains that occur after workouts or training," says Dr. Guettler. "Although they won't cure anything, they do help with symptoms." In the wide world of supplements, a good multivitamin is key, as is are glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for aging athletes who suffer from osteoarthritis.



Nicole Goksel, AOL