As a new mother of twin girls, I needed to stock my medicine cabinet at home with supplies. As a pediatrician, I was able to make educated choices from the overwhelming over the counter section at the drug store. The 10 items listed below may help your inner doctor solve some minor medical problems until you can contact or see your doctor in the morning:
Ibuprofen (ie. Advil| Motrin)
This medication, hands down, tops the list as the most useful medical supply at home for your child. When your child has a fever, earache, sore throat, headache... give 10 mg/kg of ibuprofen per dose. This advice doesn't apply to infants < 3 months. (see below)
Also, if at any time your child (regardless of age) is unwell looking, you should have him/her seen immediately by a physician.
Rectal thermometer
A rectal temperature greater than 38 degrees Celsius is a fever. A child less than 3 months with a fever needs to see a physician immediately. Don't give any medication.
Pedialyte
All I can say is, small amounts frequently. When your child is vomiting and having diarrhea, this is the fluid of choice. If the vomiting persists or your child looks unwell, see a physician.
Phone number to Ontario poison centre (1-800-268-9017 or 416-813-5900)
If your child has ingested a product that may be dangerous, please call this number. You will be given step-by-step instructions on what to do to help your child. Take the time to research the Poison centre number in your area and have the number handy just in case.
Benadryl
Use for itchy allergic rashes and hives| itchy mosquito bites and seasonal allergy symptoms.
Vasoline
Brilliant for eczema. Eczema (patches of dry, bumpy, itchy skin usually over knees and elbows) comes and goes. Slather your child with Vasoline after his/her bath.
Mineral oil
Great for removing earwax. One ml in each ear each day until your doctor can't see wax in your child's ear. Don't use q-tips; they just pack and plug the wax deeper into the ear canal.
Ihles paste
Most diaper rashes need air and dryness. Ihles paste is a nice thick barrier cream that protects the delicate skin in the diaper area| especially when it is broken down from wet, loose stools.
Duct tape
No joke - it's great for warts. Covering warts deprive them of oxygen and prevent spreading. Nonprescription wart medications (like Wartner) can quicken the process.
Cool Mist Humidifier
A cool mist humidifier in your child's room and some Salinex nose drops can clear the nose from a cold virus and help your child sleep better.
So, Dr. Mom, notice I do not have any cold or cough medicines, teething gels, gripe water or colic gas drops on the list. Studies show that these products aren't that effective.
Also, I have not mentioned antiseptic cleansers| bandages or tensor wraps. Clean minor abrasions with soap, flush with lots of water and keep open to air.
No tensors for sprains in children- put on an ice pack and elevate the sprain, before trying gradual movement. And then, of course, try ibuprofen for pain relief.
Hopefully, as moms, we can live up to what the validictorian at my medical class graduation said to all the new doctors: No matter how much you learn, you will never know more than your mothers.
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