ET

Common sense works wonders

Sarah Lonsdale delves inside domestic first aid boxes

WHAT'S in your medicine cupboard? Two decaying plasters and a superannuated packet of throat lozenges? Or do you have a purpose-built gleaming chrome cabinet crammed with specialised wound dressings, tablets for every conceivable ailment and a blood pressure monitor?

Doctors and politicians claim GPs' time is being wasted by a refusal to use common sense. So what should the well-stocked medicine cabinet contain?

Dr Alex Bobak, a GP who, with a sigh, says that visits to the doctor's surgery have trebled in the past 10 years, explains that common sense, combined with a sensibly stocked medicine cabinet could radically cut visits to his surgery. "The most common complaint, for which I can do absolutely nothing, is a sore throat," he says. "Virtually all sore throats are caused by viruses and the best thing for a sore throat is a homemade honey-and-lemon drink and a gargle with soluble aspirin."

His list of must-haves for the family medicine chest includes: a liquid paracetamol solution for children, which fulfils the dual function of easing pain and lowering temperature; an antiseptic cream for cuts and bruises; and plenty of child-friendly plasters. He also recommends keeping a bottle of antihistamine liquid, such as Piriton syrup, to hand as allergies are becoming increasing common.

"You never know when an insect bite or new food is going to cause an allergic reaction; if it is serious, with the child developing hives or becoming swollen, you won't have time to get to the doctor," he says. "Anti-histamine also has a sedating effect, which helps both the child and his parents."

For adults, Dr Bobak recommends simple painkillers, anti-inflammatory tablets such as ibuprofen and a Tubi-grip - rather like a thick stocking - for sprains and strains. "Another essential first-aid item - which won't fit in your medicine chest - is a bag of frozen peas, which is excellent for swellings caused by bumps and sprains." While we're in the fridge area, there's nothing like a good fresh steak for bruises and cool cabbage leaves for inflammations.

Dr George Lewith, partner at the Centre for the Study of Complementary Medicine in Southampton, recommends homoeopathic preparations for general use, as well as conventional first aid treatments. "Arnica cream is excellent for bumps and bruises, calendula works on cuts, and graphites cream is a good general soother for itchy rashes and eczema. If you have an anxious child, then Rescue Remedy is a good standby if they have had a shock. Aconite can be used in the early stages of a cough or cold."

"It's best to stick to a minimum of really useful things," says GP Dr David Murfin. "Medicines do have sell-by dates and if you lose track of what you have, you could end up with 200-300 different pills and bottles lurking at the back of your cupboard. I know, I've seen it. This applies especially if there are children or elderly people liable to get confused in the house who may end up taking an overdose by accident."

His advice is to spring clean your medicine cabinet once a year, chucking out all old medicines and ones you don't use any more. To our ever-growing list of medicine chest essentials he adds a pair of sharp scissors, safety pins, tweezers and a thermometer - and one for the forehead if you have children in the house.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that there are 40,000 accidental poisonings each year which need hospital treatment. More than 30,000 affect children.

The chief culprit is paracetamol, either in tablet or liquid form, and other common medical poisonings are caused by contraceptive pills, vitamins and asthma inhalant capsules.

"Keep all medicines out of reach of children, if possible in a lockable cupboard, and remember child-resistant doesn't mean child-proof," says Rospa spokesman Roger Vincent. "There is always the odd clever child who can work out how to open a Calpol bottle."

Most people use a standard bathroom wall cabinet to store their medicine, although Tupperware boxes, biscuit tins and bedside table drawers are also popular. Sturdy plastic tool boxes with lots of little compartments make perfect medicine chests and you can buy them from DIY stores. Boots sells ready-filled first aid kits from £10.50.

Or you could purchase the famous Damien Hirst medicine cabinet entitled "God" which sold at Christie's two years ago for £188,500. But you may not find its contents cure your flu.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001