Injury, severe abdominal pain, muscle aches, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia, heartburn… These are just some of the things that can happen to us anytime and anywhere, also in our home (and probably most often). After all, we do not go to the doctor with such trifles as a cut or heartburn. If we do not have the appropriate medicines with us, we only extend the time of our suffering. Therefore, it is worth to complete the appropriate home first aid kit, so that, if necessary, you can quickly help yourself, or maybe your neighbor. What should a home first aid kit contain? You will learn from this article.
Where did the home first aid kit come from?
The first first aid kits appeared in Poland in noble houses. However, they were different from those we know today. The home first aid kit contained expensive and exclusive items – dried fruit, gingerbread, marzipan and the most expensive liquors. There were also herbs for various ailments and tinctures made from them. The housekeeper or the pharmacy girl took care of the first aid kit. Its task was to distribute delicacies, as well as to help sick household members. Once upon a time, having a first aid kit was something the rich could afford. It’s good that those times are gone and everyone can (and should) have it.
So how should a modern home first aid kit be equipped?
It is worth finding drugs that will be good for many diseases. In this way, we will save space, but also money. It is known that we will not use all the means constantly and it may happen that the drug expires without even opening it. There is also a plus in this, because it means that we are healthy and that nothing serious happened to us, and that’s the point. However, the first aid kit is an essential home equipment.
Painkillers, antipyretics, anti-inflammatory drugs
It is the basis for the contents of the home medicine cabinet. Pain can get us forever. It can be strong or mild and affect different areas of the body – head, tooth, abdomen.
The most popular means are those containing paracetamol and ibuprofen. These ingredients are found in many over-the-counter medications. The difference between them is that they both have an analgesic and antipyretic effect, but ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties. They will also work well for severe menstrual pain.
Acetylsalicylic acid is also a good analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent.
Important!
Medicines with acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) cannot be given to children under 12 years of age! This could result in Rey’s syndrome. We only give children ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Popular drugs are:
containing paracetamol:
–Apap, Paracetamol
containing ibuprofen:
-Ibuprom, Ibum, Nurofen
containing acetylsalicylic acid:
-Aspirin, Polopyrin.
It is also important not to combine drugs with the same active substance as they can easily be overdosed.
Metafen is a drug containing paracetamol and ibuprofen.
These drugs, in addition to fighting pain, can be used in the case of colds or flu.
Cold, flu
In the case of a cold or flu, in addition to the above-mentioned painkillers and antipyretics, it is worth having medications for runny nose, sore throat and cough in the first aid kit.
Sore throat medications
They can be in the form of lozenges or a spray that can be sprayed into the throat. They have an analgesic and antibacterial effect. We can get herbal or synthetic pills here. Examples of some pills:
Cholinex
Strepsils
Isla
We can choose from various flavors and additives (with mint honey, with black currant, etc.).
Among the throat sprays, the following can be mentioned:
Tantum Verde
Orofar
Gardimax
Runny nose medications
Here, too, we can choose from numerous nasal sprays and tablets, for example:
Otrivin, Sudafet, Acatar.
Cough
We distinguish between wet and dry cough. If we do not know what cough is bothering us, it is worth choosing a drug that is suitable for both types of cough – Herbapect. Until we consult a doctor to determine our type of cough, it is worth using this preparation.
In the first aid kit, it is worth having preparations that will make us feel better when we are caught by a cold or flu. These are all kinds of sachets, the contents of which can be dissolved in hot water – Theraflu, Gripex, Febrisan.
Antispasmodics
Women know what painful menstruation means. For such situations it is worth having diastolic drugs (No-spa, Scopolan). Reliever medications will also help with sudden abdominal pain of other causes.
Diarrhea medications
Sometimes it may happen that we get diarrhea (stress, poisoning). If it lasts too long it can lead to dangerous dehydration. So let’s do something about it as soon as possible. The first aid kit should contain a preparation with loperamide (Loperamide, Stoperan) or activated charcoal.
Allergy
Allergy can occur in anyone, regardless of age. It can appear after eating a fruit or after a wasp bite. Therefore, you should always have antiallergic drugs at home. An allergy can develop suddenly, even if it has not been present before.
Antiallergic drugs – Allertec, Claritine.
Fenistil is a good anti-itch gel for bites.
Preparations for contusions
A bruise can happen to us anytime, which is why measures for bruises are also necessary in our home medicine cabinet. These are gels, compresses that relieve pain and reduce swelling – Altacet, arnica ointment.
Burns
This also happens frequently. The burned area should be immediately cooled with cold water. You can then apply a sunburn lotion to this area to soothe the pain, burning and redness death.
Stomach and heart medications
It may happen that our stomach or heart hurt. It is good to have regular heart drops and stomach drops in the first aid kit that will bring us relief.
Medical remedies
In addition, each home first aid kit should contain:
bandages and gauze
slices (various sizes)
triangular scarf
