Medicine box

Diarrhoea is caused by a range of things, such as food poisoning or a stomach virus, and can happen without warning. It’s a good idea to keep an anti-diarrhoea medicine at home.

Anti-diarrhoea remedies can quickly control the symptoms of diarrhoea, although they don’t deal with the underlying cause.

The most common anti-diarrhoea is loperamide, sold under the namesImodium, Arret and Diasorb, among others. It works by slowing down the action of your gut.

Don’t give anti-diarrhoea medicines to children under 12 as they may have undesirable side effects. Speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice about a child with these symptoms

Digital thermometers that you put in your mouth produce very accurate readings; an under-arm thermometer or an ear thermometer are good ways to read a baby or young child’s temperature.

Fever, dehydration.

Oral rehydration salts, available at pharmacies, are an easy way to help restore your body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid, and help your recovery.

But they don’t fight the cause of your illness, such as a virus or bacteria.

Ibuprofen is highly effective at relieving most minor aches and pains, such as headaches and period pain.

These medicines also help with some minor ailments, such as the common cold, by reducing aches, pain and high temperatures. Paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen also help reduce the inflammation seen in arthritis and sprains.

Bear in mind:

• Aspirin mustn’t be given to children under 16.
• Ibuprofen must be taken with caution if you have certain conditions, such as asthma – check with your pharmacist if in doubt.
• Pregnant women shouldn’t take ibuprofen – visit the bumps website to find out more about taking medicines when you’re pregnant.

There’s no cure for a cold, but you can look after yourself at home by:

• Resting, drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthily.
• Taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, to reduce any fever or discomfort.
• Using decongestant sprays or tablets to relieve a blocked nose.
• Trying remedies such as gargling salt water and sucking on menthol sweets.

If you have heartburn, a simple antacid will reduce stomach acidity and bring relief.

Antacids come as chewable tablets, tablets that dissolve in water, or in liquid form.

• Bandages – These can support injured limbs, such as a sprained wrist, and also apply direct pressure to larger cuts before being treated in hospital.
• Plasters – a range of sizes, waterproof if possible.

This is used to stick dressings on the skin and can also be used to tape an injured finger to an uninjured one, creating a makeshift splint.

This will help wash out grit or dirt in the eyes.

This can be used to clean cuts before they’re bandaged, and most can treat a range of conditions, including insect stings, ulcers and pimples; alcohol-free antiseptic wipes are useful to clean cuts

These are useful for dealing with hay fever.

Antihistamines can come in the form of creams you apply to the skin (topical antihistamine) or tablets you swallow (oral antihistamine).

Antihistamine creams soothe insect stings and bites, and rashes and itching from stinging nettles.

Antihistamine tablets help control hay fever symptoms and calm minor allergic reactions to food. They can also help calm itchiness during chickenpox.

Some antihistamines may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about this as there are some antihistamines that don’t cause drowsiness.

For taking out splinters; if splinters are left in, they can cause discomfort and become infected.