10 Meds You Should Always Keep Handy if You Have Kids

If you are a parent, then you already know how heartbreaking it is to see your child feeling lousy when they’re sick. Whether your child has caught a cold, flu, strep throat or a fever you can’t just do magic to send their symptoms away, but you can surely help her feel better with love, compassion, care and medications.

Every child gets sick sometimes. After all, they spent their whole day crawling on dirty playground equipment, drinking and eating in their friend’s cup and plate, and touching things that are a source of infection. In such cases, having quick medical access will not always be possible especially if you are in the midst of your journey or living in a remote area. So, it’s good to keep a medical kit handy which will help you administer the first level of care, and cut down the risks of any injury or illness from getting worse.

Here is a list of 10 medications you should always keep handy if you have kids. This can help make your child fight their illness.

1. Electrolyte powder – Diarrhea is a very common problem in children, and may be caused by many things, including bacterial infection and viral infection. Electrolytic solutions in such cases can help your kid manage fluid loss due to diarrhoea and vomiting. It also prevents further dehydration by helping the intestines absorb more water.

2. Medicine for diarrhoea – Diarrhoea is a common condition that usually lasts a couple of days and most of the time doesn’t require any treatment. Even though an electrolyte solution may suffice for treating diarrhoea in children, a medicine may be required sometimes in severe cases. OTC medications for diarrhoea like loperamide oral solution (not to be given to children younger than 2 years) can be given to your child but not longer than one day.

3. Antibacterial or antifungal cream – Children are prone to fungal infections on their skin. Some home remedies can help, but to avoid the spread of further infection you can use topical skin creams containing fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine as an anti-fungal skin cream. On the other hand, an antibacterial cream containing triple antibiotic ointment (polymixin B, neomycin, bacitracin), or gentamicin, mupirocin (Bactroban, GlaxoSmithKline) is often recommended.

4. Laxative, if suffering from constipation – Constipation can be observed as a common problem in children. Constipation in children may result due to changes in diet or early toileting which may cause infrequent bowel movements or hard, dry stools. Keeping lactulose solution handy can help your child with constipation.

5. Insect bite lotion or cream- Itching caused due to mosquito bites or mites, or honey bees, can leave kids miserable, scratching all day, and sleepless through the night. In such a case, an anti-itch insect bite lotion-like Odomos naturals can prevent your kid from insect bites by keeping them away.

6. Antiseptic solution and cream – Your kid may get minor cuts and wounds while playing, climbing, or during sports activities. Washing the minor wound with normal soap and water may suffice but in case of small to large wounds, an antiseptic solution like Dettol, Savlon, or Lugol’s solution can help prevent the spread of infection.

7. Cough drops – Seasonal variations make children prone to cold and cough accompanied by a runny nose. In such a case, giving candy or a lozenge can help soothe the sore throat. So, keep cough drops which contain lemon or honey handy.

8. Allergy medications –  Kids may develop an allergy during an allergy season or due to altered immune system to certain things. A few healthy habits and OTC allergy medications can prevent your baby from allergies. But in case your child has asthma,  Make sure to keep their devices handy.

9. Standard pain relievers like paracetamol – Don’t forget to always keep paracetamol with you when you are away from your home with your kid. Paracetamol is used to treat a variety of pains including headache, toothache and sore throat. It can also bring down a fever in your child. Note that it comes in a kids variant as well.

10. Medicines for gas and bloating- Children suffer from bloating, cramping and digestive distress when gas does not pass easily. To help your child release gas you need to keep available solutions like Gastica, which contains fennel extracts.