You don’t need a fully stocked medicine cabinet of new and trendy supplements to stay healthy and safe at home. All it takes are a few essential staples.
Curious what should be in your arsenal? HuffPost asked several doctors to share the items they personally keep stocked in their homes. Their recommendations cover everything from cuts and scrapes to vaginal wellness. Take a look at them below.
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DuoDerm Extra Thin Bandages
“It’s great for a blister, a cut, scrape or even good for after surgery. It speeds wound healing by 80%,” Jaliman said. “I bring it on trips as well. If it’s a very deep wound it needs medical attention and stitches.”
Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion
A Probiotic
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“The vaginal biome is delicately balanced with a healthy pH in the acidic range,” she said. “With so many disruptors used day to day, a probiotic may be a real lifesaver for optimal vaginal health.”
Vitamin D3
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“At the first sign any of us are coming down sick, we start our vitamin D to support our immune system,” said Jolene Brighten, author of “Beyond the Pill” and founder of Rubus Health, a women’s medicine clinic.
Vitamin D can also help with your mood, too. Ask your doctor to do a routine blood test to find out what nutrients — like vitamin D — you might be deficient in, and they can tell you what you should keep in stock.
A Blood Pressure Monitor
“One of the most useful devices is a home blood pressure monitor,” Tripathy said. “It’s useful even for the older adults because as one ages, hypertension risks are increased. Checking your blood pressure, especially if you are feeling off, can help with early detection of a medical problem.”
He pointed out that people who are generally healthy with no underlying conditions do not need to use this every single day. However, it’s extremely beneficial to keep on hand if you live with hypertension or hypotension.
“If your blood pressure goes beyond 180mmHg/100mmHg, and you are feeling other symptoms such as nausea and headaches, you should immediately seek medical attention,” he added.
Vitamin C
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“Vitamin C is helpful for many things, not just helping to support our immune systems,” said Nicole Avena, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can help reduce risk factors for heart disease and also can help prevent iron deficiency.”
Avena recommended vitamin C for both adults and children who aren’t eating a variety of vitamin C-containing foods (like citrus). Talk to your doctor to find out what they recommend keeping on hand.
Melatonin
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“Sometimes, it can be hard to fall asleep, especially if you are traveling or stressed. Melatonin is a hormone that naturally rises when you are about to fall asleep, so taking a supplement can help if you are having trouble falling asleep naturally,” she said.
Avena said it’s normal to have trouble falling asleep every so often, but if your sleeping troubles persist more than a week, seek out advice from your medical doctor.
Benadryl
Benadryl is excellent at treating allergies and allergic reactions caused by most things, including bee stings and insect bites, she explained.
Mineral Sunscreen
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Aloe Vera
“We live in a sunny place and despite our best efforts with sunscreen, mild burns sometimes happen. It’s always best to have it on hand in the event they do,” she said.
Experts recommend looking for aloe products that do not contain alcohol, like this bottle of Up&Up Aloe Vera Gel for $5.99, because it can sting or irritate burns further.
Beekeeper’s Natural Throat Spray
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“Bee Keeper’s Natural Throat Spray helps soothe a sore throat,” Brighten said. “It also contains propolis, which is derived from bee resin and has immune supportive properties.”
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