$Unique_ID{PAR00006}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  The Medicine Chest}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Medicine Chest Medicines medication medications prescription
prescriptions home kit kits ASPIRIN ACETAMINOPHEN EMETIC EMETICS NOSE DROPS
NASAL ASPIRATOR ASPIRATORS DECONGESTANT DECONGESTANTS THERMOMETER THERMOMETERS
LUBRICANT LUBRICANTS antiseptic antiseptics antibiotic ointment ointments
gauze pad pads bandage bandages}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


The Medicine Chest


     Although most of the medications your child will take will be on doctor's
prescription, there are certain items every parent ought to have on hand at
home.  Some of these are medications that you can buy without a prescription
at your drugstore.  Other items, like a thermometer, are basics of a home
health care kit.  You'll also need antiseptic, ointments, gauze pads, and
bandages in preparation for the inevitable bangs, scrapes, cuts, and other
minor crises of childhood.

     When you're assembling this kit, however, remember a few safety rules:

  -  Do not buy or administer any but the most basic drugs without the advice
     of a doctor.
  -  Only buy medications in containers that have child-proof caps.  Keep
     all medications in their original, clearly labeled containers.
  -  Unless your child takes a prescription medication on a regular basis,
     do not keep leftover medicines.  Flush liquids, pills, and capsules down
     the toilet, and throw out the containers.
  -  Keep all medications locked away from children.  If you and your young
     child are visiting friends who do not have children, make sure that no
     dangerous substances are within reach of the child.

     The following basic medical supplies should see you through most
nonemergency situations:

     Acetaminophen
     Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes, including "butterfly" bandages)
     Adhesive tape
     Antibiotic ointment
     Antiseptic solution and/or soap
     Aspirin
     Decongestant
     Emetic (syrup of ipecac)
     Rolls of knitted bandage
     Lubricant (petroleum jelly and/or a water-soluble gel)
     Nasal aspirator
     Nose drops
     Sterile gauze pads (various sizes)
     Thermometer

ASPIRIN AND ACETAMINOPHEN

     Aspirin is probably the most commonly used home remedy of all and the one
parents think of at once in the face of any crisis.  Acetaminophen is a
nonaspirin alternative with similar properties.  Both are available as
flavored, chewable tablets and in liquid form.  (Aspirin rectal suppositories
are also available, but this form is not recommended for children.  Their rate
of absorption is uneven, and they present a greater risk of aspirin poisoning
than other forms of this drug.)
     Because both aspirin and acetaminophen come in different strengths, you
should check the label to make sure that the strength is appropriate to the
age of your child.  Aspirin and acetaminophen tablets can be crushed and mixed
with a little applesauce, jelly, or ice cream to make them more acceptable to
the child.  Whenever you disguise a medicine in this way, however, you must
make sure that the child takes the whole dose.
     Until recently, acetaminophen was used primarily when a child couldn't
take aspirin for one reason or another.  There is now evidence, however, that
the use of aspirin, especially when given to a child with chicken pox or the
flu, may be associated with a condition known as Reye's syndrome.  This is a
relatively rare condition that combines encephalitis (inflammation of the
brain) with liver disease.
     Although it has not been proved that aspirin causes or promotes Reye's
syndrome, it is recommended that aspirin not be given to children with a viral
infection, particularly chicken pox or influenza.  Acetaminophen, however, has
not been linked to Reye's syndrome and is an acceptable substitute.  If you
are in any doubt about the use of aspirin or acetaminophen for your child,
consult your doctor.

EMETIC

     An emetic is a substance that is used to induce vomiting, which is
desirable in certain cases of poisoning.  Every medicine chest should contain
an emetic--syrup of ipecac is recommended.  It is a good idea to have two
small bottles, each containing a single dose of two to three teaspoonfuls for
immediate use.  Note, however, that vomiting should not be induced
automatically in a case of poisoning.  If the poison is something that is not
normally edible (for example, gasoline, turpentine, or cleaning fluid), you
should not make the child vomit because the poison may do additional harm on
the way back up.  (See "Poisoning" for more information.)

NOSE DROPS, NASAL ASPIRATOR, AND DECONGESTANTS

     Nose drops and oral decongestants and a nasal aspirator may be used to
relieve nasal stuffiness and discharge.  Ask your doctor to recommend types
and uses.

THERMOMETER AND LUBRICANT

     A stubby-bulb thermometer is the most practical because it can be used to
take an oral, rectal, or armpit temperature.  Any lubricating ointment will
serve to prepare a thermometer for rectal use, but a water-soluble gel is
superior because it readily washes off in cold water.

ADDITIONS

     The following are useful for treating minor accidents:  antiseptic
solution, antibiotic ointment, sterile gauze pads (two by two inches and three
by three inches), rolls of knitted bandage (two inches wide and three inches
wide), adhesive tape (one-quarter inch wide), "butterfly" bandages, and other
adhesive bandages of assorted sizes.