Cindy A. Kermott - Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies: What to do for the Most Common Health Problems

When an accident or health problem occurs, its nice to have basic supplies on hand to treat the condition. Thats why you want to have a medical supply kit ready for use whether its an actual first-aid kit or just your bathroom cabinet stocked with a variety of helpful items.

Its best to store medical supplies in a place thats easily accessible to adults but out of the reach of children. Remember to replace items after their use to make sure the kit is always complete. And check your supplies yearly for outdated items that may need replacing. Check expiration dates on medications twice yearly.

Here are key items that you should have on hand if you want to be prepared for accidents and common illnesses:

• For general care. Sharp scissors, tweezers, cotton balls, cotton-tipped swabs, tissues, soap, cleansing pads or instant hand sanitizer, plastic bags, safety pins, latex or synthetic gloves for use if blood or body fluids are present, anti-diarrheal drugs, and a medicine cup or spoon.
• For cuts. Bandages of various sizes, gauze, paper or cloth tape, antiseptic solution to clean wounds, and antibacterial ointment to prevent infection.
• For burns. Cold packs, gauze, burn spray and antiseptic cream.
• For aches, pain and fever. Thermometer, aspirin (for adults only), other pain-relieving drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• For eye injuries. Eyewash, such as saline solution, eyewash cup, eye patches and goggles.
• For sprains, strains and fractures. Cold packs, elastic wraps for wrapping injuries, finger splints and a triangular bandage for making an arm sling.
• For insect bites and stings. Cold packs to help reduce pain and swelling. Topical cream containing hydrocortisone (0.5 or 1 percent), calamine lotion, or baking soda (combine baking soda with water to form a paste) to apply until symptoms subside. Antihistamines (Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, others) may help relieve itching. For individuals allergic to insect stings, include a kit with a syringe containing epinephrine (adrenaline). Your doctor can prescribe one. Check the expiration date regularly.
• For ingestion of poisons. Keep the number of the U.S. Poison Help line (800-222-1222) in your medicine kit or programmed into your phone.

Acne occurs when the tiny openings in your skin from which hair grows (hair follicles) become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. The plugged follicles may produce:

• Comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). Comedones that occur at the skin surface are called blackheads due to their dark appearance. Comedones that are closed and just below the skin surface are called whiteheads.
• Papules. Papules are small, red and tender bumps that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles.
• Pustules. Pustules are red and tender bumps with white pus at their tips.
• Nodules. Nodules are large, solid painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. They are the result of a buildup of secretions deep within the hair follicles.
• Cysts. These painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin are boil-like infections that can cause scars.

A number of factors including hormones, bacteria, certain medications and heredity play a role in the development of acne. Though acne is most common in teenagers, people of all ages can get acne.