Diseases, infections, and injuries rarely happen with a warning, and even a minor condition can become one of the worst nightmares of a person if appropriate medication is not administered, especially during quarantine. Although we consider our homes to be the safest place in the world, these can only be safe places if we have proper medication at hand. These are some of the medicines that you must have at your home at all times.
1. Aspirin
It doesn’t matter if one encounters an injury or an infection, pain is the very first sign of it. While the severity of the pain can vary depending on the cause, even minor aches make one feel miserable. Therefore, it becomes essential to have some form of pain medication on hand all the time, and nothing beats aspirin. It is a form of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID composed of acetylsalicylic acid that treats pain by reducing the formation of blood clots. For this property, it is also used to minimize the severity of a heart attack. It is not recommended for children under 18.
Recommended Medicine: Aspirin
2. Acetaminophen
Also known as paracetamol, this drug is excellent for people who are allergic to aspirin or are already on some type of blood thinner. This is an analgesic, meaning it reduces pain. Acetaminophen comes in many forms, like tablets, capsules, suspension, and even suppository. It can be administered to treat pain that is caused by conditions such as migraines, fever, menstruation, and arthritis. According to the experts, if a person is only allowed to pack one item in their first-aid kit, it should be acetaminophen.
Recommended Medicine: Tylenol
3. Antacids
Eating your favorite meal after a long time is one of the simplest yet greatest joys one can experience; however, it can lead to an individual consuming more than they should, resulting in indigestion, heartburn, and acidity. We’ve all been there, so it is always a great idea to keep a pack of antacids in your medicines cabinet. While antacids are excellent for heartburns that occur once in a while, heartburn occurring regularly must be checked by a physician.
Recommended Medicine: Tums
4. Antidiarrheal
While some people experience heartburn and indigestion following a heavy meal, others may encounter a different problem: diarrhea. Surprisingly, it is one of the most overlooked conditions in the world, and in less-developed nations, it is the second-largest cause of death of children under 5, according to The Value of Immunization Compendium of Evidence. While it is important to identify the cause of diarrhea, stopping it is equally important. Medicines containing loperamide are ideal for this condition. Additionally, it is always a good idea to replenish lost water and electrolytes with the help of an oral rehydrating solution.
Recommended Medicine: Imodium
5. Antihistamines
A large chunk of the population awaits the spring, as it enables them to step out of the house and enjoy nature; however, for some individuals, spring only means one thing, i.e., allergies. Interestingly, the common symptoms of allergy sneezing, watery eyes, and itching are the result of our body fighting with allergens. Once allergens enter our body, our immune system triggers the body cells to produce histamines, a chemical that blocks the allergens from infecting the body. As the name suggests, antihistamines halt the production of histamines that cause relief from allergies. Although antihistamines come in both tablets and cream, doctors recommend oral tablets. Even if you are not allergic to most substances, it is great to keep these at hand for your visitors because according to the statistics, over 10% of the population is affected by hay fever each year in the United States. Plus, they also work for insect bites.
Recommended Medicine: Benadryl
6. Cough Syrup
Staying awake at night because of a cough is one of the worst experiences, both for the individual coughing and the family members in the same house, and those are the times when everyone wishes for nothing else but a cough suppressant. Presently, there are five types of cough suppressants which are mucolytics, expectorants, antitussives, antihistamines, and decongestants. Despite all of these types, antitussives that contain dextromethorphan are most widely used. Interestingly, some people also use anti-inflammatory medication as a cough suppressant. It should be noted that most cough syrups have a sedative property. Any medicine containing codeine is recommended; however, due to its abuse in most countries, it is only available under prescription.
Recommended Medicine: Robitussin
7. Disinfectants
While minor cuts and bruises are often overlooked, they can quickly become the hotspot for bacterial infections. Most people carry bandages with them; however, they shouldn’t be applied before at least cleaning the wound, and if one runs out of bandages, disinfectants become even more crucial. It does what the name suggests, it kills most of the bacteria from the applied surface. Although there is a huge selection of chemicals, including isopropyl alcohol that can disinfect, doctors recommended povidone-iodine solutions because it doesn’t harm the skin.
Recommended Medicine: Betadine
8. Soothing Creams
Itching caused by dry skin or conditions like eczema can turn a pleasant day into a nightmare. A person suffering from eczema can end up itching their skin so much that it results in bleeding. While moisturizing the skin each day is recommended, sometimes instant relief is required, and that is where soothing creams come into play.
Recommended Medicine: Polysporin