What to have in your medicine chest

Senior Matters
By Lesley Fernow

  In the first part of this series (Oct. 16 edition) we discussed medications for pain, colds, fevers, and skin cuts. This week we will discuss some other common complaints with simple over the counter treatments.

    As noted before, these remedies should effectively treat a problem within a few days. If your symptom lasts longer than this, you should seek medical attention.
    Allergies: Take advantage of the fact that there are now several over the counter antihistamines. The non-sedating ones such as loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) have fewer side effects and work for most allergy symptoms. Seniors should avoid those with the ending -D which signifies decongestant, without checking with their doctor first, as these drugs are heart stimulants and can raise blood pressure.
    Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is also very effective but it has many unwanted side effects in seniors including increased risk of falls and increasing confusion. It is on the Beers’ list of “do not take” drugs in the elderly. Remember Tylenol PM and Advil PM are just Tylenol or Advil with Benadryl. I do not recommend these medications for seniors unless you have severe allergies or a severe case of poison ivy in which case you need someone around when you take it. It is also marketed as a sleep aid, but is not recommended for the elderly.
    Rashes, bites, poison ivy: A 1 percent topical hydrocortisone cream is useful for relieving itching and inflammation from many skin lesions such as bites, poison ivy or a mild rash.
    Antifungal: Clotrimazole (Lotrimin) cream or powder or miconazole (Zeasorb-AF, Tinactin) is very useful for the occasional red fungal rash on feet, or in the groin, under breasts or armpit. This rash usually comes from moisture, so the powder is often drying and helpful.
    Diarrhea: Imodium (Loperamide) is your best over the counter option.
    Nausea: There are many nausea medicines that require a prescription but Dramamine over the counter tablets will work well, though it can cause drowsiness which may increase fall risk in the elderly.
    As you know you can also use them for prevention of motion sickness so they are good to have on hand. For mild nausea from gastric upset, fresh ginger grated into a glass of club soda or ginger ale can be helpful.
    General supplies: Bandaids and sterile gauze (in either pad or roll form) and medical tape for injuries that require something bigger than an adhesive bandage. Silk or paper tape is best for sensitive skin.
    Digital thermometer. ACE bandage 4” width. Muscle rub for sore muscles or low back pain. Tweezers. Artificial tears. Tea tree oil is a “natural remedy” that can heal skin cuts, burns, and even infections. It acts as an antiseptic and is antifungal. It can be used for acne or athlete’s foot. It is also been reported to reduce the symptoms of dandruff. It may take the place of many of the items listed above
    We invite readers to offer feedback about this column and to suggest topics for future articles. You may do so by contacting Meg Callaway of the Charlotte White Center at (207) 947-1410 and mcallaway@charlottewhite.org or Lesley Fernow at (207) 992-6822 and lmfernow@rcn.com.