Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their uses. All are quite cheap and worth stocking at home in readiness for minor illnesses.Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock – or store them well out of the reach of children.
Paracetamol
Good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises.
Paracetamol Mixture
For relief of pain or fever in young children.
Ibuprofen
For sprains, strains and backache.
Sedative Cough Linctus
For dry or painful coughs – but not coughs caused by common colds.
Menthol Crystals
Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.
Vapour Rub
Again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose.
Antiseptic Solution (e.g. iodine)
One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.
Antiseptic Cream
For treating septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes.
Calamine Lotion
For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn.
Dressing Strips
For minor cuts.
3” Wide Crepe Bandage
To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.
Cotton Wool
For cleaning cuts and grazes.
Thermometer
For fevers.
Tweezers
For removing splinters.