Get medicine cabinet in order

<p>Now is a good time to plan summer travel, to get outside and play in our gardens, or to indulge in a serious case of spring fever. It is definitely not the season to spend unnecessary time in doctors' offices. Having a well-equipped medicine cabinet can help you to treat many common problems at home. All too often, medicine kits are a disorganized mishmash of whatever is collected after old injuries or illnesses. It's time to plan for the active season, so I'm going to help you with suggested supplies for a properly stocked home or travel medicine kit.</p><p>Thermometer - Don't call your doctor and say you have a temperature unless you know your numbers! Telling us you feel hot, or that you just "feel like" you have a fever doesn't give us the information we need to address the problem. Some ear thermometers can be inaccurate, and it's wise to avoid mercury, so I recommend using a simple and inexpensive oral digital thermometer.</p><p>Pain meds - Be sure to have aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil) on hand. Fevers, headaches, sprains, strains and general body aches can initially be treated with one of these products. They all work a little differently, and there are times you may need one and not the other. If you have children in the house, keep the liquid form of acetaminophen and ibuprofen on hand. Avoid aspirin for children - it can cause complications.</p><p>Aches and strains? - Spring is the season of sports injuries, so stock ice packs and moist heat packs for treating those sore places you get with increased activity. Epsom salts are good for soaking aching limbs, and an Ace wrap and a tube of arnica gel (available at a natural foods stores and many drugstores) should be on hand to treat minor sprains and strains.</p><p>Skin care - Skin wounds are common this time of year. Be sure to have hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment and an assortment of adhesive bandages on hand. If the cut is deep or it won't quit bleeding, it's definitely time to call your doc or head for the ER. Don't forget the sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and the mosquito repellent. A tube of hydrocortisone cream can come in handy when bug bites or poison oak cause a problem.</p><p>Seasonal allergies - A day working in the garden or a hike in the woods can set them off. Definitely have an eyewash cup and a nasal-wash bottle ready to rinse the dust and pollen out. Rinse solutions for both of these are readily available. Washing is better than drops or sprays because you want to flush the irritants out as effectively as possible. If rinsing regularly is not enough, you may want some over-the-counter allergy medication in your kit. In any case, Benadryl is good to have on hand - for nighttime allergy relief, for hives or other possible allergic reactions.</p><p>Colds - Warm weather doesn't stop pesky respiratory viruses, so keep a stock of your favorite cold medicine on hand, and consider some Vitamin C and some Zicam or Airborne to use at the first sign of a cold.</p><p>Tummy trouble - Tums, Maalox or some other effective heartburn medicine can come in handy after a meal that doesn't agree, and Milk of Magnesia or Smooth Move Tea can get things moving again if you suffer from constipation. Be sure to check with your doctor if these simple remedies are not helping.</p><p>Go natural - Want some natural or herbal products in your cabinet? Try lavender essential oil on your bedroom light bulbs for quality sleep, chamomile tea to soothe and relax before bedtime, and peppermint or ginger tea for digestive problems.</p><p>Most of these ingredients are portable enough to include in a camping kit so you can be prepared even when away from home. Use your medicine cabinet wisely; finding the right balance between self-care and your doctor's care can keep you active and in control of your own well-being.</p>