MEDICINE CABINET
FIRST THINGS FIRST, DO NOT IGNORE MEDICAL ADVICE
If you need medicine, you need medicine. There is absolutely no point in making yourself physically unwell for the sake saving a couple of blister packs from the trash. But there are a few useful things to deal with minor aches, pains, bumps and bruises.
PAIN KILLERS
Whenever I do a neighbourhood litter-pick, I always find empty blister-packs of pain-killers. (The other thing I always find are loads of plastic disposable gloves - ewww).
When I tried to buy Paracetamol in glass bottles in Boots, I got a flat no. But every independent pharmacy I’ve tried since, has said yes (but in fairness, this is only a sample size of three).
However (serious point alert) since writing the original post, I’ve learnt that one of the reasons for the switch away from glass bottles is down to evidence around suicide rates. Please, of course, respect all medical advice, and keep medicines in a safe place,
FIRST AID
ElastoPLAST. The clue is in the name, isn’t it.
For really nasty grazes, I don’t think these Patch bamboo strips quite cut (sorry) it. But for minor cuts and scrapes, they do the job just fine.
There are plenty of natural antiseptics that can easily replace a squeezy plastic tube of Savlon - Tea Tree Oil being a classic choice. Or TCP - which you can still easily find in glass bottles - is another useful multi-tasker that can be used for all kinds of things.
three amigos
These three natural skincare heroes are such useful ‘treat-all-ills’ to have to hand.
Tea Tree gel is an antiseptic, and, in this format, is a bit less harsh than the pure oil above.
Aloe Vera gel is perfect for sunburn and irritated skin.
Arnica gel is known to sooth aches, pains and reduce bruising & swelling.
I found all of these in my local pharmacy - but they can be bought direct - not sure what the packaging situation would be though.
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