Choose your language

Tip from the doc

This is what the medicine cabinet should look like

Today we are looking at a topic that has often been asked about: the medicine cabinet. However, the question is whether I am the right person to talk to.

Because I confess: our medicine cabinet (for which, logically, I was responsible) always looked like a mess - much to my wife's chagrin. I have put together a list below so that you don't feel the same way and have a well-stocked but essential medicine cabinet.

It is important to me that you do not approach this pharmacy too quickly. A child does not need an electrolyte solution immediately after vomiting and not every fever needs to be brought down immediately with suppositories or fever syrup. Nevertheless, a well-stocked medicine cabinet is important. And just as importantly, if you are unsure about your child's condition, consult your trusted paediatrician. That's what my wife always did, which is why it always turned out well for us :-)

Medicine cabinet

  • Clinical thermometer

  • various plasters, sterile compresses, gauze bandages, quick dressings

  • Burn dressing and triangular cloth

  • Tweezers and small scissors

  • Hot water bottle and cooling pad

  • Disinfectant spray without alcohol

Medication

  • Fever juice (ibuprofen and paracetamol, so you can alternate if necessary) and/or fever suppositories

  • Antihistamine gel (for burns, sunburn, insect bites)

  • Wound and healing ointment (minor injuries)

  • Nasal spray, decongestant and sea salt

  • Electrolyte solution for vomiting

  • Bum ointment for small children

If your child needs medication regularly or in emergencies (asthma, febrile seizures, etc.), this should always be in stock.

Please check the expiry date of all medicines regularly.

Home remedies

  • Aniseed, fennel and caraway tea (flatulence)

  • Camomile tea (stomach ache)

  • Sage tea (flu-like infections)

  • Salt sticks and rusks

  • Onion for onion compresses (earache, insect bites)

And of course our small practice brochure with all the emergency numbers!

PS: Globules also have their place in the medicine cabinet for children. But they should be dosed and not used all the time. It is part of a child's development to put up with a little pain from time to time. In such a case, it's better to bring magic into play: by blowing, holding and comforting, the little pain disappears without any medication or globules.

to the tip overview

Further interesting tips

Eye smears (baby)

A topic for parents of babies. A common reason why parents come to the practice with their baby is that their child's eye is oily. Parents notice that the eye is a little red and very sticky and that there may be a yellowish "smudge" in the eye. The parents then usually think that the eye is suppurating - but this is almost never the case.

U8 screening

In our series on the U examinations, this time we look at the U8. The focus here: Movement, language, logic.

"Screen-free from three" campaign

Screen-free until three - Formatted textDocument A nationwide campaign has been launched in many German paediatric practices this week: "Screen-free until three". We are taking part - even at the risk of offending parents ...