becky
06-25-2007, 02:05 PM
What to keep in the medicine chest
By the ParentCenter editorial staff
With a young child around, it's important to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet or medicine bag (which can be stored out of reach and is portable) so you can quickly deal with the rashes, fevers (http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gfever/68452.html), and other common ailments that children are prone to, as well as handle the ins and outs of daily care. Here are our must-haves:
• Digital thermometer
• Children's non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent) for insect bites and rashes
• Rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors
• Petroleum jelly to lubricate rectal thermometer
• Antibacterial ointment for cuts and for scrapes
• Tweezers for taking out splinters and ticks
• A pair of sharp scissors
• A pair of safety scissors for clipping little nails
• Sunscreen
• Child-safe insect repellent
• Pediatrician-approved children's-strength liquid decongestant
• Nasal aspirator bulb syringe for drawing mucus out of a stuffy nose (not the pointy-ended ear syringe)
• An assortment of adhesive bandage strips in various sizes and shapes.
• Gauze rolls (1/2 to 2 inches wide)
• Gauze pads (2x2 and 4x4 inches)
• Adhesive tape
• Sterilized cotton balls
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Mild liquid soap (antibacterial and deodorant soaps may be too strong for children's sensitive skin)
• Moisturizing cream
• A medicine dropper, oral syringe, or calibrated cup or spoon for administering medicines
• A package of tongue depressors to check sore throats
• A heating pad
• A hot-water bottle and ice pack
• A small flashlight to check ears, nose, throat, and eyes
• First-Aid manual. The American Red Cross's Standard First Aid & Personal Safety gives detailed advice for handling both minor and major emergencies.
• Rehydration fluids, such as Pedialyte
FYI: If your child is allergic to bee stings, peanuts, or shellfish, or if he has some other type of life-threatening allergy (http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gallergies/68016.html), carry an epinephrine kit with you and keep another one in your first-aid kit.
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gmedicine/68656.html?scid=pcbulletin:20070625:0:0:0
By the ParentCenter editorial staff
With a young child around, it's important to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet or medicine bag (which can be stored out of reach and is portable) so you can quickly deal with the rashes, fevers (http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gfever/68452.html), and other common ailments that children are prone to, as well as handle the ins and outs of daily care. Here are our must-haves:
• Digital thermometer
• Children's non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent) for insect bites and rashes
• Rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors
• Petroleum jelly to lubricate rectal thermometer
• Antibacterial ointment for cuts and for scrapes
• Tweezers for taking out splinters and ticks
• A pair of sharp scissors
• A pair of safety scissors for clipping little nails
• Sunscreen
• Child-safe insect repellent
• Pediatrician-approved children's-strength liquid decongestant
• Nasal aspirator bulb syringe for drawing mucus out of a stuffy nose (not the pointy-ended ear syringe)
• An assortment of adhesive bandage strips in various sizes and shapes.
• Gauze rolls (1/2 to 2 inches wide)
• Gauze pads (2x2 and 4x4 inches)
• Adhesive tape
• Sterilized cotton balls
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Mild liquid soap (antibacterial and deodorant soaps may be too strong for children's sensitive skin)
• Moisturizing cream
• A medicine dropper, oral syringe, or calibrated cup or spoon for administering medicines
• A package of tongue depressors to check sore throats
• A heating pad
• A hot-water bottle and ice pack
• A small flashlight to check ears, nose, throat, and eyes
• First-Aid manual. The American Red Cross's Standard First Aid & Personal Safety gives detailed advice for handling both minor and major emergencies.
• Rehydration fluids, such as Pedialyte
FYI: If your child is allergic to bee stings, peanuts, or shellfish, or if he has some other type of life-threatening allergy (http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gallergies/68016.html), carry an epinephrine kit with you and keep another one in your first-aid kit.
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/ghealth/gmedicine/68656.html?scid=pcbulletin:20070625:0:0:0