Essentials for your medicine cabinet

Keep your medicine cabinet wellstocked and up-to-date.

Always follow the directions on medicine packets, and always keep them out of the sight and reach of children. Check the expiry dates regularly.

Aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective at relieving minor aches and pains and inflammation. Aspirin must not be given to children under 16.

These are useful for allergies, insect bites and hay fever. They come in cream or tablet form. Creams soothe insect bites, rashes and itching. Tablets help control hayfever symptoms and calm minor allergic reactions to food.

Fever, diarrhoea and vomiting make us lose water and essential minerals, and can lead to dehydration. Oral rehydration salts can help restore your body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid.

Diarrhoea is usually caused by food poisoning or a stomach virus. The most common anti-diarrhoeal is Imodium.

If you have stomach ache, heartburn or trapped wind, an antacid will reduce stomach acidity and bring relief. They come in tablets that are chewable or dissolve in water, or in liquid form.

Keep a sun lotion of at least factor 15, which provides UVA and UVB protection. Even brief exposure to the sun can cause sunburn and contribute to your risk of skin cancer.

As well as medicines, always keep a wellprepared first aid kit in your medicine cabinet. This can help treat minor cuts, sprains and bruises, and reduce the risk of cuts becoming infected. I always keep a tube of Savlon in my cabinet for antiseptic use.