It’s midnight. You feel a sore throat coming on, and your head is starting to ache. The pharmacy is closed, the Student Health Care Center (SHCC) won’t open until morning and your roommate is already asleep.
Do you have what you need to manage your symptoms?
College is often the first time students take on the responsibility for their health. From minor scrapes to seasonal allergies, small issues can quickly feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not feeling well and supplies are out of reach. That’s why having a well-stocked first aid kit in your dorm room or apartment is helpful.
First-aid kit basics
Even a basic kit can help you manage minor injuries, seasonal allergies or general discomfort without a trip to the pharmacy or clinic. According to providers at the Student Health Care Center, a first aid kit should include:
- Ace bandage – helps support minor sprains or joint discomfort
- Aloe vera gel – soothes sunburns or irritated skin
- Band-aids (various sizes) – for cuts, blisters or paper cuts
- Digital thermometer – essential for checking your temperature
- Hot/cold pack – provides relief for muscle soreness or minor swelling
- Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) – protects dry skin or minor scrapes
- Sunscreen – important for daily skin protection
- Tissues – always useful during cold, allergy or flu season
These items can be helpful for everything from muscle soreness and sunburns to scrapes and sniffles. But there’s one item health professionals especially want students to have on hand: a thermometer.
“I wish more students brought thermometers to college,” said Sandra Topp, APRN, a primary care provider at the SHCC. “When I am on-call and a student reaches out saying they are not feeling well, I like to know if they are running a fever and, if so, how high. Based on their temperature, my advice may change from ‘this can wait until tomorrow’ to ‘go to an urgent care today.’”
Eileen Lauzardo, MD, another primary care provider at the SHCC, agrees.
“The presence or absence of a fever is important medical information for many common illnesses,” she said.
In addition to a thermometer, having proper bandages on hand can make a big difference in how wounds heal. Too often, students try to improvise when they don’t have appropriate first-aid supplies, which can make things worse.
“Students have come in with toilet paper, paper towels and T-shirts wrapped around cuts and abrasions,” said Karen Fournier, RN, BSN, nursing team lead at the SHCC. “These items tend to stick and often make wounds more difficult to clean. They can also be painful to remove.”
Over-the-counter medications
Along with basic supplies, over-the-counter (OTC) medications can make a world of difference when you’re dealing with everyday symptoms like headache, congestion or allergies. The following are recommended as safe and effective when used as directed:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – for pain and fever
- Ibuprofen (Advil) – for inflammation, soreness and menstrual cramps
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – for allergic reactions or sleep aid
- Non-drowsy antihistamine (Claritin) – for daytime allergy relief
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) – relieves sinus congestion (sold behind the pharmacy counter)
- Antacid (Tums) – for indigestion or heartburn
- Hydrocortisone cream – for bug bites, rashes or skin irritation
- Sore throat & cough lozenges – soothes throat pain during colds
Michael Babbitt, PharmD, pharmacy manager at the SHCC, encourages students to ask questions if they’re unsure about how or when to take medication.
“Don’t guess,” he said. “Call the pharmacy or ask your health care provider for assistance if you are unsure.”
Beyond symptom relief, OTC medications can also support recovery by allowing students to rest, says Ashley Kairalla, DNP.
“Students underestimate the use of OTC medications for basic relief measures to improve their overall functioning,” she explains. “For example, taking OTC pain relievers to minimize pain keeping a student awake at night allows them to get the rest they need in order to recover sooner.”
Building and maintaining your kit
Creating a first aid kit doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with the basics, use a labeled container to keep everything organized and store it in an easily accessible place in your dorm room or apartment.
“Use a moisture-proof container for your supplies,” Fournier said. “This can be any type of plastic container, or even a large Ziplock bag will suffice.”
Health professionals also recommend reviewing your supplies regularly, especially at the start of each semester.
“Checking your first aid kit and other OTC items at the beginning of each semester and replacing anything that expired (or is close to it) is a good idea,” Babbitt said. “Medications may show varying loss of potency after the expiration date, and even a small decrease in potency can be a big deal with certain symptoms and conditions.”
Knowing when to seek help
While a first aid kit is a great tool for managing minor symptoms, it’s important to know when something is beyond self-care. Dr. Lauzardo advises seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms such as shortness of breath, sustained chest pain or severe abdominal pain.
Topp echoes that advice and reminds students that if something feels off, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
“There are several symptoms that can be treated at home without seeking medical attention,” she said. “However, students should come in if they have any symptoms that are not improving with OTC medications or symptoms they feel uncomfortable treating at home. I always tell students that it is better to seek medical care for something minor than to sit at home with something that needs immediate treatment.”
When it comes to injuries like cuts, scrapes, burns or bites, it’s essential to watch for signs of infection. Fournier recommends seeking medical attention if you notice symptoms such as increasing redness or swelling around the wound, red streaks extending from the area, skin that feels warm to the touch near the wound, thick or discolored drainage, worsening pain over time or development of a fever.
Additionally, if you have a cut that won’t stop bleeding, it’s important to have it evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
“If you think you need stitches,” Fournier said, “we need to see you within eight hours of your injury.”
Take charge of your health
Having a first aid kit on hand is a way to be prepared and a small act of self-care. It shows you’re capable of managing your health and making responsible choices.
To help you create your first aid kit, the SHCC has created a printable checklist that includes both basic first aid items and recommended OTC medications for students. It’s a great tool to help you stock up and stay ready for whatever the semester brings.