Preparing for Sick Season: Essentials of a Well-Stocked Medicine Cabinet
What should you keep stocked in your medicine cabinet to be ready for whatever the season throws at you? Here are our recommendations.
The back-to-school buzz, crisp morning air and pumpkin-flavored everything often come hand in hand with sniffles, coughs, and the dreaded onset of the sick season. Every parent knows the drill: midnight fevers, sudden earaches, or the unexpected tummy troubles. While there's no magical potion to ward off every illness, being prepared can make those challenging days (and nights) more manageable. Here is a list of essential pediatric over-the-counter medications to have in your medicine cabinet, ensuring that when sickness strikes, you’re not making a midnight dash to the local pharmacy.
Medication #1: Motrin/Tylenol
When your child is running a fever (100.4 or higher), typically we suggest giving a fever reducing medication. Motrin and Tylenol are both great options for children HOWEVER, children under 6 months of age should not use Motrin.Tylenol can be used starting at 2 months of age. If your child is younger than 2 months and running a fever of 100.4 or greater, they need to be seen for evaluation.
Medication #2: Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra
Who else suffers from seasonal allergies? Our Saving Grace providers do not have a preference on which allergy medication you choose. However, we do suggest that once a bottle is finished you try a different brand the the next time. This prevents the body from becoming immune to one medication.
Medication #3: Miralax
Constipation is a common childhood problem. Children who suffer from constipation have hard, dry stools and infrequent bowel movements. Miralax is a great option for children when diet changes and probiotics are not doing the trick. If your child has chronic constipation problems, schedule an appointment so we can get them on a specific regimen.
Medication #4: Benadryl
Benadryl is used for several situations. Benadryl helps treat reactions to food, bug bites and medications. Benadryl is also a great over-the-counter option for runny nose, cough and congestion.
*extra tip: pair your children's Benadryl with honey to relieve cough but DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 12 MONTHS.
As always, it's important to consult with your pediatric provider before administering any medication to your child, but knowing what to keep on hand is half the battle. We hope your family stays healthy during sick season but, if not, Saving Grace is here to help! Give us a call or use our online scheduler to schedule a virtual or in-home visit.
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