Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is handy to treat and ease itching that’s caused by everything from insect bites or dermatitis (skin irritations) to poison ivy, chickenpox, and other blister-causing rashes.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Saline Wound Wash
In the event of a gash, serious cut, animal bite, or other open wound, having a sterile wound wash and hydrogen peroxide on hand as part of an emergency first aid kit can help you quickly and thoroughly clean the injury and prevent infection. Sterile wound washes come in sprays, or you can punch a small hole in the seal and use force to spray the saline solution onto the wound, as the pressure helps remove any debris that may be in the wound.
Along with these two solutions, you should keep sterile gauze pads, surgical tape, and latex gloves handy to deal with any accidents that happen in or around the home. It may also be advisable, if you have a first aid kit in your car, to store these items there as well, especially if you or your household members are active and participate in physical and/or outdoor activities.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
A triple antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, is also good to have in a medicine cabinet and vehicle first aid kit. Once a wound is cleaned, applying this ointment will help stop bacterial infections from starting and keep bacteria out of the wound until you can get medical attention or the wound closes itself up.
Understand Your Stash
OTC medications may not require prescriptions, but they can still have side effects. They can cause allergic reactions, interact poorly with your regular prescription medications, or cause health risks in high doses. You should be sure that you understand what your medications are, and how they might interact with any of the drugs listed above. Talk to your doctor before beginning any prescriptions to make sure you understand potential interactions, and always read OTC labels carefully to be sure you understand the dosage you or your children should take.