At Home Medical Supplies And Storage
With the world currently social distancing in their homes and trying to fight off the spread of viruses and bacteria, it is more apparent than ever to families how well prepared they are. Many people do not have an essential stock of medical supplies or medications in their homes, which can be detrimental if they are needed urgently.
Many homes are currently stocking up on everything they need to stay safe and healthy, but you should consider keeping your medicine storage cabinet well stocked no matter what is happening in the world. This means keeping an inventory of a variety of medications that can treat many different ailments as well as having them properly stored, labeled and protected from children.
By having a stock of medication you are prepared for anything that comes your way. If you or someone in your home has an allergic reaction, having an antihistamine on hand could make all the difference in the severity of the reaction. Being prepared and well organized is the best way to prevent illness and injury.
To Help You Prepare for Anything
Here is a list of medications that you should have on hand in your medical storage cabinet:
- Acetaminophen – This is usually known by the brand name Tylenol and it can be used to treat muscle aches, headaches, backaches and fever.
- Diphenhydramine – This is typically known as Benadryl and is an antihistamine. Many take this for seasonal allergies, which is actually not the correct use because it causes excessive drowsiness. This should be used to treat allergic reactions.
- Loratadine – This is a second-generation antihistamine, which means that it does not cause sleepiness. This should be used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is known as Claritin, but similar medications would be Zyrtec, Allegra, Xyzal and Clarinex.
- Fluticasone – This is a steroid nasal spray, known as Flonase, that is used to treat the nasal symptoms that come along with seasonal allergies. This can include stuffiness and runny nose.
- Aluminum hydroxide – This can have many different brand names, but it is an antacid that is used to treat mild heartburn, which can be known as acid reflux. This is a very effective treatment and includes similar agents such as Tums.
- Hydrocortisone (cream) – Hydrocortisone is a steroid cream that can be applied to rashes. This includes eczema, psoriasis and other minor allergic reactions, but it does not work well on more severe things like poison ivy.
- Bacitracin/polymyxin (ointment) – these are both antibiotics that are used to prevent infection and promote healing in skin injuries. This is typically known as Neosporin and can be used on scrapes and scratches.
- Bismuth salicylate – This is better known as Pepto Bismol and it can treat upset stomach including nausea and abdominal cramping.
- Pseudoephedrine – This is a decongestant that can be found in Sudafed and other combination allergy pills. This is especially effective in treating congestion.
- Ibuprofen – This is the pain reliever that is active in Advil and Motrin and can be added to acetaminophen when it is not working effectively. This may be better for more severe injuries and sprained and swollen joints.
Once you have your medical storage cabinet stocked up and are ready for anything that comes your way, you should be sure that they are kept properly organized and labeled, so that they do not get mixed up and you take them appropriately.
Likewise, in healthcare facilities, it is incredibly important to keep all medications properly labeled and organized. FlowCARE pharmacy departments come with storage, cabinets, locks and bins to properly organize as needed.
The nurse server cabinets are also a great way to keep medications close and easy to access for patients if needed. This can save some travel time for nurses and allow them to administer needed medication much quicker.
It is important to be fully prepared for anything that comes your way. That means staying stocked up on what medications you may need and having them properly stored and easily accessible.
