Over The Counter We Go by Barbara Quinn

Thank heavens for over-the-counter and home remedies. While nothing can compare to the assistance of a good doc when you are in bad health, it’s good to be able to treat yourself for minor inconveniences. As we age chances are that we learn what illnesses we are prone to. That’s where ole CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid come to the rescue.

One of my major problems is sinus headaches. I’m highly allergic and when the pollen count skyrockets or the weather gets really damp, I often get a headache. Sometimes it’s histamine and other times it’s a sinus headache. That’s when I hit the Sudafed (the old version that you now have to sign for at the counter to prove you’re not making bombs out of it) and add in some Ibuprofen (generic works fine for me, but if you like brand names like Advil try that). In a couple of hours I'm pain free and in a day or two all is well again.

Before I take the drugs, I try giving myself an acupressure massage which is nothing more than pressing on various parts of the face. It works almost immediately most of the time. It’s good to learn about these pressure points. I went to a lecture on acupuncture and acupressure techniques for sinuses a while back and have incorporated the massage into my shower routine.

What other over-the-counter things help me? I love Dr. Scholl’s corn removers. Benadryl helps me out when the allergies get bad, but only at night and then I wind up sleeping soundly. For my cholesterol there’s Green Tea Extract and Policosanol. For bee and wasp stings, there’s meat tenderizer (generic works fine). My son’s pediatrician told me about this. You make a paste with water and apply it to the sting where it promptly digests the venom. Amazing! And you thought Adolph's was for burgers.

What’s in your cabinet that helps you?