Must Have Items for Every Parent's Medicine Cabinet

by Marcus DeGraw, MD

Many parents know the frustration of having a sick or injured child and not knowing what treatment to give to alleviate the child's symptoms. Adding to their frustration is a frightening array of choices filling the shelves at any drugstore or grocery store.

According to Marcus DeGraw, MD, a board certified pediatrician at the St. John Children's Center, each family should have a well-stocked first-aid supply that doesn't include unnecessary supplies. He suggests the following supplies and medications to have on hand:

Q. What medications should I have on hand?
A. You should always have the following readily available in your medicine cabinet:

• Pain relievers - acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Ibuprofen should only be used if child is more than six months old.
• Skin creams including one percent hydrocortisone for itchy rashes and antibiotic ointments for cuts and scrapes.
• Rehydration fluids for illnesses with vomiting or diarrhea (Pedialyte).
• Extra prescription medicines (especially if your child has a chronic disease like asthma).
• Cold medicines - most children need only a decongestant and a cough suppressant.
• Benadryl - use for allergic reactions or nasal allergies, but only for children one year and older, unless directed by a doctor.
• Teething gel for infants - use in small amounts.

Q. What about supplies like gauze or plastic gloves? Do I need to have those?
A. I recommend having sterile gauze, medical tape and bandages of all sizes on hand for common cuts and scrapes. You should also have alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide and basic soap for basic cleaning of cuts and wounds -- as well as Plastic gloves for attending to wounds with blood.
Other items that come in handy include:

• Thermometer for fevers (preferably one that can be used orally and is digital).
• Sharp scissors to cut dressings for wounds.
• Tweezers to remove slivers or foreign objects from skin.
• Instant cold packs for bumps and bruises and sprained ankles.
• Emergency contact numbers and the number for poison control (800) 222-1222.
• Physician's phone number and directions to nearest emergency room.

If you are vacationing within the state or country this summer, you may also want to pack a first aid bag with these supplies and medications to have on hand.

Q. Are there any common medications that I should avoid giving my children?
A. First is Laxatives - not to be used in children unless directed by a physician. Likewise, anti-diarrhea medicines - ask a doctor first. Lastly, syrup of Ipecac - once universally recommended for accidental poisonings, now avoid and call Poison Control instead.

Dr. DeGraw is one of the pediatricians at St. John Children's Center and medical director of Pediatric Subspecialty Services at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. More information is available at www.stjohn.org/StJohnHospital/Specialties/Pediatrics/. Call Health Connect at 866-501-DOCS to find a family doctor in your area.

In addition to general pediatrics, the St. John Children's Center has specialists in the areas of infectious disease, endocrinology, cardiology, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, neurology, nephrology, behavioral medicine, and pediatric hematology/oncology.

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