#2: Bacitracin ointment - alternative topical antibiotic. This topical first aid antibiotic is effective in healing minor cuts, scrapes, scratches and burns. Bacitracin is ideal if anyone in your party is allergic to the active ingredient in Neosporin.
Bacitracin will help you prevent infection. It's always good to have options. Bacitracin really sinks into wounds, whereas Neosporin is more of a layer. Another distinction is that Bacitracin is preferred over combination products such as Polysporin and Neosporin. Fewer ingredients lowers the chances of allergic reaction. Some brands of bacitracin include zinc, so beware for allergies. You can develop an allergy to zinc.
#3: Cold and Flu Medicines. You could turn to ordinary cold and flu medicines, but if you're a prepper with a bent on a homesteading life, you'll choose natural medicines for cold and flu:
Boiron Coldcalm Cold Relief Medicine addresses symptoms at every stage of a cold. It temporarily relieves symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat.
Borion Oscillococcinum works naturally with your body to temporarily relieve flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and fever. It does not cause drowsiness or interact with other medications. Oscillo’s sweet-tasting pellets dissolve quickly under the tongue; no water, chewing or swallowing is required.
Infection Formula. Created by Dr. John R. Christopher, who founded Dr. Christopher's School of Natural Healing in 1953, Christopher's Original formula dietary supplement "Infection Formula*" contains a proprietary blend of black walnut leaf, goldenseal root, bugleweed herb, plantain leaf, marshmallow root and lobelia herb with no added fillers or chemicals. It's a synergistic blend of herbs for the lymphatic system. These herbs feed your body to restore balance to your lymphatic system. When you eat food, your body digests and sends nutrients to every living cell. As the cells process these nutrients, it creates some waste in the process. Because an abundance of waste in your lymphatic vessels builds up over time, it can block your lymph nodes, and decrease your body's ability to fight infections. That's the basis behind the formula. Click on the image and you'll discover why this five- star rated formula is a good start for how to cure a tooth infection and more. Dr. Christopher's time tested Infection formula supports the body's lymphatic system which is helpful to promote overall health.
#4: Antifungal cream ~ Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) - . Athlete's foot, ringworm or a rash ~ you don't know what will happen in an emergency and you can prepare by stocking your medical kit with an antifungal cream or natural alternative such as tea tree oil. If you have a strange rash and suspect a fungal infection, see a doctor. If no doctor is available, you can try this anti-fungal cream: Lotrimin. This over-the counter medication relieves itching, redness, irritation and discomfort, which may accompany the condition (ringworm). Clotrimazole is effective at treating athlete's foot, and jock itch in addition to ringworm in anyone 2 years or older. It's not effective in treating scalp or nails. Remember to see your doctor, and to pack Lotrimin or equivalent Clotrimazole.
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An antifungal cream. such as Lotrimin, can treat ringworm, pictured above under the armpit of a child. It can also treat other fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and jock itch. Always seek medical care for correct identification of the rash, which could be life-threatening.
#5: Hydrocortisone. Bug bites, poison oak and ivy or a rash ~ preppers must have a way to stop the itch. Hydrocoritisone is a necessary anti-itch cream that relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes. It not only is an effective relief of itch, but it leaves a protective barrier as it helps maintain moisture.
Hydrocortisone is useful for skin irritation caused by:
detmatitis
eczema
insect bites
soaps and detergents
poison ivy, oak
psoriasis
#6: Allergy relief ~ Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that offers allergy relief. As an allergy medicine, it offers temporary relief of sneezing, itchy and running nose; itching, watery eyes; hay fever symptoms. An important antihistamine, diphenhydramine can help balance an allergic reaction to antibiotics as well. Kirkland Allergy Medicine is a generic equivalent.
Antihistamines that cause little or no sleepiness, include: Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, Dimetapp ND); fexofenadine (Allegra); or cetirizine (Zyrtec).
#7: Anti-diarrheal ~ Loperamide (Immodium). Loperamide hydrochloride controls symptoms of diarrhea. It relieves symptoms of diarrhea, plus bloating, pressure and cramps commonly referred to as gas. This medication slows down the action of the intestines to reduce the number of bowel movements. Imodium, or a generic equivalent Loperamide, will help control the symptoms of diarrhea.
WARNINGS: Sometimes Loperamide can worsen diarrhea if caused by an infection for example. Do not use Loperamide if you have a had a rash or other allergic reaction to loperamide hydrochloride. Also, do not use if you have bloody or black stool. Consult a doctor if you have fever, mucus in the stool or a history of liver disease.
#8: Heartburn ~ Ranitdine (Zantac). To deal with heartburn, you can take Ranitidine (Zantac). Rantidine, the ingredient in Maximum Strength Zantac, pictured right, relieves and prevents heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach.
#9: Laxative ~ Mirolax. A laxative encourages bowel movements. MiraLAX laxative is a way to treat occasional constipation. It activates the water in your body to work in three ways by hydrating, easing and softening to unblock your system naturally and allow you to have a normal, complete bowel moment. It gives you gentle, predictable relief of occasional constipation and irregularity without causing harsh side effects such as sudden urgency, cramping, bloating and gas. And the powder dissolves easily in water and other hot or cold beverages — with no taste or grit.
WARNINGS: Stop use and ask a doctor if you have rectal bleeding or your nausea, bloating, cramping or abdominal pain gets worse. These may be signs of a serious condition; you get diarrhea; you need to use a laxative for longer than 1 week. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.
#10: Sore throat medicine. Sucking on hard candy if you have a sore throat can be soothing and Sucrets is a classic sore throat losenge. Sore throat medicines numb the pain. Suggestions include:
Dyclonine (Cepacol)
phenol (Chloraseptic).
Now that you've taken a closer look at the over the counter medications above, consider the preppers medicine cabinet, which goes beyond the ordinary. You probably already have the Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) in your prepper's medicine cabinet. If you don't, then stock those as well!
Happy endings... It's good to have medicines to at home, so you can respond to whatever comes your way and because you never know the day when the pharmacy is closed and you need it most.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For any health or dietary matter, always consult your physician. This information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Never disregard or delay in seeking medical advice when available.
Ten Over-the-counter Medicines List of overlooked over-the-counter medications
Top ten medicines to stockpile for emergencies. Medicine cabinet "must haves" for preppers... When there is no pharmacy what then? While you can't stockpile prescriptions beyond your needs, there are some basic over-the-counter medications preppers should have in the medicine cabinet. Below is our list of ten over-the-counter medications to stock...
Over-the-counter Medicines to Stockpile Here is a list of ten overlooked over-the-counter medicines you should consider stocking in your prepper's medicine cabinet...
#1: Analgesics (pain relievers). Arthritis, backaches, headaches, menstrual cramps, tooth aches~ life is full of aches and pains and as a prepper you must have more than one way to deal with the pain. Analgesics can take many forms from natural to man made and you can medicine internally or externally. Be sure to stockpile:
Oral Anesthetic gel. Hurricaine, pictured right, is a topical anesthetic gel of 20% benzocaine in a flavored, water soluble polyethylene glycol base. Used to anesthetize mucosal tissue to relieve discomfort.
Aspirin or aspirin alternatives. Find the relief you need for headaches, muscle aches and more with aspirin or with aspirin alternatives such as Willow bark. Did you know that about 25% of modern medicines originated in plants? One of them was aspirin, which comes from willow bark. It was the original aspirin!
Lidocane (pain relieving cream). Safe and effective pain- relief, Lidocane plus is an analgesic that offers serious help for chronic pain.