It’s important to keep some basic self-care items in your dorm, house, or apartment. You don’t need to have a fully stocked first aid kit or even an actual cabinet. In fact, your “medicine cabinet” can be a shoe box or a small plastic bin.
What You Should Have
- Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever
- Band-aids and bandages of assorted sizes for minor cuts
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hot/cold pack
- Hydrocortisone cream for itchy bites and rashes
- Pepto-Bismol® and/or Mylanta® for an upset stomach
- Imodium® for diarrhea
- Over-the-counter decongestants and cough medicine
- A thermometer
- Tweezers for splinters
- Cotton swabs and cotton balls
- Condoms
Keep in mind:
Over the counter medicine is still medicine. It’s important to:
- Read the labels
- Follow all directions for dosage
- Check the expiration dates occasionally
- Keep your medicine chest in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight
- Inform your healthcare provider about any over-the-counter medications you are taking, including vitamins and supplements
A Word About Multi-Symtpom Cold Medications:
If you are taking cold medication that includes acetaminophen (Tylenol), do not take additional acetaminophen. If you need additional pain relief or fever suppression, take a product that contains ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) instead. Similarly, if you are taking a cold medication that contains ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) do not take additional ibuprofen.
