If you have a college student and they are living away from home one of the first phone calls a parent often gets is when the student gets sick. Before they even get sick this winter, why don't you make them a college medicine kit? I think this may be one of the best gifts you can send your student and like so many other things; they won't believe you until they need it.
A quick trip to your pharmacy is really all it takes to stock the box with everything. The first thing they will need is a working thermometer, as a college kid never seems to know if they have a fever. How can they be both so smart and not so smart?
In addition they will need both acetaminophen and ibuprofen which treats both fever and aches and pains. I always throw in a dosage chart as well. Then I would get throat lozenges, decongestants, and a nighttime cough medicine. I also threw in a few instant chicken soup packages and some tea bags all of which helps that first cold, sore throat and cough.
I also put in allergy medications and Benadryl that can be used for allergic reactions and rashes.
Other items might include antacids, steroid cream, Band-Aids as well as some OTC medication for both constipation and diarrhea.
Having all of this boxed up, and labeled and at their fingertips will be greatly appreciated one night when an illness is coming on. It will also help you not to worry as much as well. Win win for parent and college child.
I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor, helping you take charge.
A quick trip to your pharmacy is really all it takes to stock the box with everything. The first thing they will need is a working thermometer, as a college kid never seems to know if they have a fever. How can they be both so smart and not so smart?
In addition they will need both acetaminophen and ibuprofen which treats both fever and aches and pains. I always throw in a dosage chart as well. Then I would get throat lozenges, decongestants, and a nighttime cough medicine. I also threw in a few instant chicken soup packages and some tea bags all of which helps that first cold, sore throat and cough.
I also put in allergy medications and Benadryl that can be used for allergic reactions and rashes.
Other items might include antacids, steroid cream, Band-Aids as well as some OTC medication for both constipation and diarrhea.
Having all of this boxed up, and labeled and at their fingertips will be greatly appreciated one night when an illness is coming on. It will also help you not to worry as much as well. Win win for parent and college child.
I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor, helping you take charge.
Dr.
Sue Hubbard is an award winning pediatrician and medical editor for
www.kidsdr.com. She is a native of Washington, D.C. who travelled south
to attend the University of Texas at Austin and never left. 
