7 Items You Need in Your Medicine Cabinet This Winter

Winter means cosy nights on the couch, rugby on the TV, hearty soups, fluffy pyjamas…. and winter ills! 

You’re probably tired of hearing about viruses by now, but winter brings on a whole new onslaught of woes. Not just coughs and colds but tummy troubles, mishaps on the sports field, and all sorts of seasonal ailments. 

Preparing your medicine cabinet in advance can help save you the hassle of visiting the pharmacy over winter. Here are the top 7 medicine cabinet essentials to stock up on!

1. Painkillers
   Pain, fever, and injuries can strike when you least expect them - and none can be ignored. Anti-inflammatory medication is a must for providing the relief you need until you can treat the source of the problem.
   Ibuprofen is a popular choice because it acts fast and can treat muscular pain, headaches, fever, and more. Paracetamol is most often used to treat aches and pain, and can be taken on an empty stomach. Some products like Maxigestic combine the benefits of ibuprofen and paracetamol in one. 

For kids, liquid pain relief like Pamol or Nurofen for Children is invaluable when your little ones are unwell. 

2. Cold and flu medication
   A blocked nose can really ruin your day - and your night! Trying to sleep when you can’t breathe properly makes for very poor slumber, which certainly won’t help your recovery from a cold or flu.
   Cold and flu treatment like Lemsip Max help to relieve viral symptoms during both the day and night, while decongestants such as Duro-Tuss PE Chesty & Nasal can provide short-term relief for coughs and stuffy noses.
   A great natural option for the whole family is Kiwiherb Dual Action Chest & Lung Support, which contains herbal extracts like marshmallow and eucalyptus to soothe the chest and relieve inflammation.
   
   
3. Wound treatment

Cuts, scrapes, burns and bruises can happen in the home, in the outdoors, and everywhere in between. If you’re a parent, you’ll know that kids are pros at getting themselves hurt (but we adults also need some first aid from time to time!)
Keep a box of bandaids on hand for those quick fixes. Band-Aid Assorted Plastic Shapes covers most minor injuries. For other abrasions, it’s a good idea to have some gauze, crepe bandages, and waterproof medical tape available, too. And don’t forget the antiseptic! Tried-and-true favourites like Dettol liquid or Savlon Soothing and Healing Antiseptic Cream are standard medicine cabinet essentials. 

4. Digital thermometer

Every household should have one of these by now! When someone at home is feeling unwell, a digital thermometer is a quick and easy way to check for a fever or viral infection.
Top of the range is the Omron MC720 Forehead Thermometer, which provides instant, non-contact reading. There’s also a great range of simple digital thermometers that can take readings from the ear, mouth, or forehead to provide peace of mind when you need it. 

5. Antidiarrhoeals
   We’ve all experienced a sudden bout of diarrhoea before. And it’s not pleasant! 

Whether it’s a gastro illness or something you’ve eaten, the main priority is to relieve your symptoms as quickly as possible. Kids are especially susceptible to tummy bugs (or eating things they shouldn’t) and need to be treated ASAP, as they can dehydrate quickly. 

Antidiarrhoea medication like Imodium provides fast relief from diarrhoea. While you’re sorting that out, it's also important to prevent or treat dehydration that might have resulted from the lost fluids and minerals. Stock up on electrolytes such as Hydralyte Electrolyte Powder or Ice Blocks (these are great for kids!)

6. Antihistamines

Hayfever may be more common in spring and summer, but winter has its own share of allergens. When we’re cooped up indoors for hours on end, we can react to mould, dust mites, pet dander, and certain foods. 
Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which is released when your body detects something you are allergic or sensitive to. This can lead to swelling, itching, sneezing, respiratory issues, digestive problems, and other symptoms.

Telfast tablets can provide systemic relief from allergy-related congestion like hay fever, catarrh and sinusitis., while a topical antiseptic cream like Artemis Itch Calm Cream is great for treating irritated skin.  

7. Immune support

Preventing those winter ills is much easier than treating them! One of the best ways to ward off bugs is by looking after your gut health. Probiotics like the Inner Health range help support the healthy flora of your gut, which is where up to 70 percent of your immune system resides. Taking probiotics every day has been shown to help reduce the risk of both bacterial and viral illnesses.

If you’ve already been hit by a bug, act fast - you need to support your immune system in every way possible. For adults, daily immune support like Good Health Viralex Attack is a fantastic option to support healthy recovery from winter ills. For kids, Radiance Kids Immune Chewables are a yummy way to help restore (and prevent) those common winter illnesses. 

Of course, those are just a few of the items that can help get you through winter. Check out Bargain Chemist’s great range either online or in-store and get your essentials sorted! 

 

The above is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult with a medical professional.