Sick day essentials to stock before school starts

Whether your child is still living at home, attending school, or has moved away to finally start their college career, it can be difficult to see them struggle with illness. In cases when it may not be possible to come to their rescue the way you want to, ensuring they have a well-stocked sick day kit can guarantee they are well prepared for inevitable sick days and minor injuries. 

While you may be tempted to stock your kit with everything under the sun, a comprehensive sick-day kit is most effective when it contains relevant medicines, like pain relievers and Blooms The Chemist cough medicine, and first aid essentials, including thermometers and surgical masks, to tackle common issues. 

Sick Day Essentials

When you are feeling unwell, it is good to have a few essentials on hand that can help you better assess your health and provide much-needed comfort while you get better. These sick-day essentials should include a simple digital thermometer and a hot/cold pack for sore muscles, headaches, and debilitating menstrual cramps. These packs can be stored in the freezer or heated in the microwave, based on how they need to be used. Ensure you wrap them in a towel or thin fabric to protect the skin. 

While the pandemic is largely over, COVID is still around, so it is beneficial to stock a few at-home rapid tests for quick screening. Additionally, surgical masks and hand sanitizer with high alcohol content are crucial for preventing the spread of germs to classmates and roommates. Electrolyte tablets or powders are fantastic for combating dehydration that occurs during illness or after strenuous workouts and sports practices. A bottle of regular eye drops can quickly cure dry eyes caused by late nights or extended periods in front of screens. And finally, a familiar, comforting personal item, like a childhood soft toy or blanket, that feels like home. 

Medicine Kit Must-Haves

While it is not possible or safe to stock a medicine kit with every medication available at your local pharmacy, a well-stocked kit will always contain a select number of items to cover a wide range of common illnesses and health complaints that can be managed at home. The specific brand and strength you opt for should be based on what you historically use, what your doctor or local pharmacist recommends, and any existing health concerns or allergies you may have. Whatever you choose to stock in your kit, your child must know what is in the kit, how to use the products, and how to ensure they are taking the correct dosages. These items can be stocked alongside any compulsory, prescription medication they may need to take. 

Your medicine kit should include pain and fever relievers, cold and flu medicines, throat lozenges, cough syrup, allergy medication, including EpiPens if applicable, anti-itch cream, anti-fungal cream, antacid, acne treatments, anti-nausea or motion-sickness medication, and anti-diarrhea medicine. It is also strongly recommended to include a high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen, an SPF-lip balm, and an after-sun cream. If you live in a humid climate, it may be beneficial to include bug spray to combat mosquitoes. 

First Aid Basics

While it may not be feasible to carry a fully stocked first aid kit, it is important to build a basic one for emergencies. This basic kit should include adhesive bandages in various sizes, medical tape, sterile gauze pads, non-latex gloves, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, scissors, an instant cold pack, and a fire blanket. 

This kit should be properly labeled and stored in an easily accessible, dry location. Similar to the medicine kit, it should be checked regularly and restocked as needed. These kits can also be customized based on specific medical needs applicable to you and your family. 

Medical Documents & Contacts

An often-overlooked aspect of building a sick-day kit for school-going kids or college attendees is including medical documents and important contacts. The easiest way to store this information is in a clearly marked file that can be accessed as needed. 

This file should include contact information for their primary doctor, pharmacy, dentist, and any on-campus medical services. It should also contain copies of health insurance cards, a comprehensive list of medical conditions, allergies, and treatment plans, and copies of any active prescriptions and other information related to the medications they take. 

Do’s & Don’ts in Illness

It is extremely important to regularly clean out your medicine bag or cabinet to dispose of old or unused medication. Any product that is past its sell-by date can lose much of its effectiveness and can potentially become unsafe for consumption. It is also crucial to stay up-to-date on your prescription refills so you are not at risk of missing this medication if you are sick, which could make you feel even worse. 

Healthcare experts also strongly discourage using old prescription drugs to treat any new illness. For example, taking antibiotics when you don’t need them can cause your body to become antibiotic-resistant, leading to unwanted and debilitating side effects. Additionally, old prescriptions may include the same ingredients as other medications you take to combat colds and flu, which could result in you ingesting too much. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.