As the name implies, medicine cabinets are used to store medicines and all sorts of first aid paraphernalia. These cabinets can be in all shapes and sizes for use in stores and pharmacies or simple cabinets for use in homes. The home medicine cabinet should be large enough to store all the necessary first aid supplies such as bandages disinfectants and some simple home remedies to relieve pain.

Types of Medicine cabinets

There are basically two types of medicine cabinets, wall mounted and recessed. A Recessed cabinet has a built in look and require more planning to avoid outside walls and also the plumbing will have to be planned accordingly keeping in mind that medicine cabinets are usually installed or constructed in the bathroom.

All the modern bathroom innovations not withstanding, medicine cabinets have retained their place and functionality and are still an integral part of most bathrooms. Though they have evolved from a simple mirror on the door of a small cabinet to a significant design feature in the bath that can be framed elaborately or grouped together for storage. The mirrors on a medicine cabinet can be framed in a range of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, wood, plastic and probably even mirror edging. Some medicine cabinets have adjustable shelves, interiors that won't rust, a push button mechanism to open the mirror, eliminating fingerprints and internal or external electrical outlets.

Stocking the medicine cabinet

A medicine cabinet must be stocked with some essential home medication to take care of some small emergency, such as cuts, bruises and even minor aches and pains. The Medicine cabinet should be adequately stocked with analgesic, to relieve pain, antibiotic ointment, to reduce the risk of infection to an open wound, antacid, for relief from an upset stomach, antihistamine which relieves allergy symptoms, syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, decongestant to relieve a stuffy nose and other cold symptoms, some medication to reduce, hydrocortisone to relieve itching and inflammation and an antiseptic to stop infection. In addition to these the medicine cabinet must also have adhesive bandages, adhesive tape, gauze pads, tweezers, thermometer, calibrated measuring spoon, alcohol wipes and disinfectant spirits.

While designing the medicine cabinet the width should be set to be equal to or less than the sink or vanity over which it will be installed, and should always be at eye level and arm's length. A well-stocked cabinet will always do away with the sudden visit to the store after a call to the doctor. The doctor can prescribe some medication over the phone that will almost always be available in the medicine cabinet.

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Medicine Cabinets
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