Do you keep a First-Aid kit in your vehicle? It’s important to be prepared for health emergencies, and having a First-Aid kit close by when you’re traveling is always a good idea. But have you ever thought about keeping a First-Aid kit in your medicine cabinet? Shouldn’t you be just as prepared for health concerns at home as you are on the road? Of course you should! Let’s take a look at eleven essential items for your medicine cabinet . . .

1. Soap
While you may think of soap as a necessity for washing hands post-potty visits, plain soap can actually be an asset for cleaning up minor cuts and scrapes. In fact, it’s actually the best method for doing so! And, plain soap is just as effective as anti-bacterial soap.

2. Aspirin
You may already keep aspirin handy for the occasional headache (or morning after a late-night romp on the town), but it can also be used in much more serious situations. If you exhibit signs of a heart attack – chest pain in particular – try chewing up to 325 mg of uncoated aspirin, as soon as you can. Aspirin can help break down the potential blood clot in your artery and therefore reduce the damage that could be done to your heart.

3. Thermometer
While you may rely on the “hand on the forehead” method for checking your temp, a thermometer is a much more accurate way to detect a fever, which could be a sign of illness or infection. Mercury thermometers are accurate, but often hard to read so you may want to go digital. Upgrading won’t set you back financially – most pharmacies carry digital thermometers for under $10.

4. Bandages
Whether you like the plain brown ones, clear ones, or the ones with Sponge-Bob Square-Pants on them, bandages are a necessity for keeping cuts, scratches and other wounds from becoming infected. Make sure you have an assortment of sizes, too.

5. Compression Wrap
Have you ever heard of the RICE treatment? Well, it stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation; and it’s used for times when you sprain or twist an ankle, wrist, knee or other jointed area. A compression wrap is an important part of RICE, as it gives support when you need it the most. Look for compression wraps at your local pharmacy or other retail store.

6. Antibacterial Ointment
Before you stick on your Sponge-Bob bandage, you may want to apply an antibacterial ointment to help reduce infection risk and speed up your healing time. To get the full effect, make sure you clean your wound completely prior to applying the ointment (remember the soap?).

7. Hydrocortisone Cream
If you’ve ever had a mosquito bite, spider bite, or other kind of insect bite, then you know how much it can itch! And while scratching can provide temporary relief (usually 1-2 seconds), it’s not good for the bite, or your skin! Hydrocortisone cream can help take the “bite” out of insect bites and rashes, and prevent further itching and infection.

8. Mild Pain Relievers
Aspirin isn’t the only way to knock-out your headache or help with other aches and pains. Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be helpful when addressing pain and fever. Make sure you pay attention to the dosage instructions and limitations, however. As bad as you may feel, you’d hate to end up feeling even worse by overdosing on either one of these pain relievers.

9. Antihistamines
If you suffer from mild allergies and experience sneezing, itching and swelling, or if you simply have a common cold and can’t stop your nose from running, an antihistamine can often help. Again, make sure to read the dosage instructions to ensure you’re not taking too much (or too little).

10. Anti-Diarrhea/Indigestion Medicine
Whether it’s the pink stuff or something else, it’s always good to have an option to ease an upset tummy . . . especially for those days when you just can’t miss work or school.

11. Phone Numbers
It's vital to keep a list of important telephone numbers like doctors, your pharmacy, poison control center, and even family members. That way if you do encounter an emergency, you won’t be scrambling to find these numbers elsewhere – they’ll always be in the same place.

So . . . do you have these eleven essential items in your medicine cabinet? If not, it’s easy to start making your “at home” First-Aid kit.  Oh, and remember to check your kit every 6-12 months to make sure none of your medicines have expired and that none of your important phone numbers have changed.