MyChart
Self-Care Supplies
Overview
More of your health care takes place in your home than anywhere else. Having the right tools, medicines, supplies, and information on hand is important for your self-care.
Most of the items below don't cost a lot. They are easy to use and can be bought at most drugstores and grocery stores.
These are helpful first-aid supplies to have at home:
- Adhesive bandages, such as Band-Aids, in assorted sizes
- Adhesive tape, 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide
- Cotton balls
- Elastic (such as Ace) bandage, 3 in. (8 cm) wide
- Hand sanitizer
- Medical gloves
- Roll of gauze bandage, 2 in. (5 cm) wide
- Safety pins
- Sterile gauze pads, 2 in. (5 cm) square
- Tweezers
These are helpful self-care tools to have at home:
- Cold pack
- Handheld mirror
- Heating pad
- Humidifier or vaporizer
- Medicine spoon
- Nail clippers
- Pillbox
- Scissors
- Thermometer
If you have children younger than age 4, consider adding these:
- Bulb aspirator or syringe
- Rectal thermometer
Some of the over-the-counter medicines you may want to have on hand include antibiotic cream or ointment for minor cuts and scratches and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain or fever relief. Be sure to store all medicines out of the reach of children.
Related Information
Credits
Current as of: February 25, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: February 25, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
