People go to medicine cabinets to find relief. Medicines, on the other hand, go to medicine cabinets to die a slow and undignified death. There's the penicillin from 1997, the eyedrops with the label worn off, the reddish goop that may have once been cough syrup in another place and time. And amid all these sputtering bottles and vials, you can't find one measly Band-Aid.

If your medical stockpile belongs in a hazardous-waste dump or a museum, it may be time to sweep the shelves and start over.

What do you really need in there? Apart from your prescriptions, you want the tools to treat minor cuts and burns, headaches, fevers, coughs, itching, allergies, or a runny nose. (The key word here is minor. For severe symptoms, bypass the cabinet and go directly to your doctor.)

Is it time to give your medical supplies a checkup? Read on to find out how to keep your cabinet as healthy as you both prefer to be.

For Pain, Headaches, Fever

With each of these products, you can save space in your cabinet by buying only the regular dose and skipping the extra-strength version. Anyone who needs a bigger dose can take an extra pill.

Aspirin: This plain white pill is still a favorite painkiller and fever reducer. Some find it too irritating to the stomach, though. Also, it can interfere with blood clotting, so people who take blood thinners or are about to have surgery must not take it. Children and teenagers should avoid aspirin as well, because it has been linked in young people to Reye's syndrome, a rare condition involving swelling of the brain and liver.

Acetaminophen: For anyone who wants or needs to avoid aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol is one brand) may be a better choice. Pediatric doses are also available. Adults taking acetaminophen pills must avoid other products that also contain the drug, such as many combination cough-and-cold remedies, as overdoses can harm the liver.

Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or Naproxen Sodium (Aleve and Naprosyn): These are effective painkillers for adults and children 12 and over. (Motrin also has a children's formula.) Like aspirin, they may irritate the stomach.

Warning: All these painkillers can cause problems if mixed with too much alcohol. People who have three or more drinks a day should consult a doctor about using them.

For Congestion from Colds

Decongestants: Two popular kinds are pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed and Sinarest) or phenylephrine (in Dristan Cold Multi-Symptom and Rynatan). Note: Federal law now requires that products containing pseudoephedrine be located behind the counter; you'll have to show identification to buy them, and sign a logbook.

Warning: Many cold remedies contain antihistamines, which cause drowsiness and are best reserved for allergies.

For Coughs

Cough Medicine: For a dry, hacking cough, look for one that contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Big-name brands include Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough and Pertussin. If the cough is producing mucus, use something with guaifenesin, an expectorant, to loosen secretions. These include Robitussin PE and Benylin Expectorant Formula.

Warning: A cough that lasts more than a week or is accompanied by a fever may be a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia and should be treated by a doctor.

For Allergies

Antihistamines: They relieve sneezing and runny nose. Diphenhydramine (in Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (in Chlor-Trimeton), and clemastine (in Tavist Allergy 12 Hour Relief) all work, but each causes sleepiness. Loratadine (in Claritin) is nonsedating.

Eyedrops that contain an antihistamine and a decongestant, like Naphcon A and Opcon-A, can soothe itchy eyes.

For Digestive Problems

Calcium Carbonate Tablets: Tums and Rolaids both relieve heartburn, which occurs when stomach acid backs up and irritates the esophagus. They temporarily neutralize the acid and also provide calcium, which is deficient in many people's diets.

Maalox or Mylanta, which contain a combination of ingredients, give longer-lasting relief.

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Tagamet, Prilosec, Pepcid, or Prevacid, which decrease acid secretion. But anyone suffering from chronic heartburn should see a doctor to find out what is causing it, whether dietary changes can help, and which type of drug is best.

Warning: Be wary of treatments for constipation and diarrhea. Although drugstore shelves are lined with remedies for constipation, doctors discourage their use more than once in a great while, because the body can become dependent on them. Chronic constipation may be caused by a diet deficient in fiber or a more serious health problem. Fiber-based products like Metamucil are least likely to be habit-forming.

Occasional attacks of diarrhea can be relieved by Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, or Imodium. But letting the illness run its course may get rid of the offending germs faster. Parents should keep Pedialyte on hand to prevent dehydration in small children suffering from diarrhea or vomiting.

For Itchy Rashes, Bug Bites, and Other Skin Problems

Calamine Lotion: This old-fashioned pink liquid soothes itching from rashes and bites and dries up weepy rashes like the kind you get from exposure to poison ivy.

Antihistamine Cream: Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream, for example, will relieve intense itching. Or try a cream that combines calamine and an antihistamine, like Ivarest.

Cortisone: A 1-percent cream or ointment may relieve a persistent itch that's not cured by the medications above.

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Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid: Acne sufferers can benefit from masks, washes, and spot treatments with these ingredients.
Antifungal Creams: They cure athlete's foot more effectively than powders and sprays do. Top brands include Lamisil, Micatin, and Lotrimin, all of which can also be used to treat jock itch.
Yeast-Infection Medicines: Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin, and other antifungals work well. But they will not fight vaginal infections that sometimes mimic yeast infections. If your drug does not work within a few days, see a doctor.
Bladder-Infection Medicines: Phenazopyridine (Uristate and Prodium) can relieve the burning and the urge to urinate. But it does not treat the infection, which may require antibiotics.

For Cuts and Burns

Bandages and Gauze Pads: A box of adhesive strips in assorted sizes and a box of gauze pads (the large size, four by four inches, which can be cut down) will be adequate to dress most cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Medical Tape: This will hold gauze in place. People with sensitive skin need paper tape marked "hypoallergenic." If the gauze is applied to fingers, an arm, or a leg, it can be wrapped instead of taped with the kind of nonglue cloth wrap that sticks only to itself. Johnson & Johnson sells a product called Hurt Free Tape in two widths.

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Hydrogen Peroxide: This can be used to clean wounds; it stings less than alcohol.
Antibiotic Ointment: It can protect and moisten a closed wound or a minor burn. Antibiotic Band-Aids are also an option.
Liquid Bandage: New-Skin, for example, can be painted on to seal off a small, uninfected cut and takes the place of a more cumbersome bandage.
Butterfly Bandages: These pull the edges of a cut together and help it heal with minimal scarring. They're worth considering if you have extra space in your medicine chest.

Tools

Thermometer: The electronic kind is usually accurate and sturdy, and a good choice for those who are wary of the mercury in traditional thermometers. For babies, rectal thermometers are most accurate.

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Magnifying Glass and Tweezers: To remove splinters.
Pill Cutter: This tool will come in handy if you need to cut a dose in half. (But always ask your doctor or pharmacist first whether cutting the pill will change the rate at which it dissolves, and whether that matters.)
Eyeglass Repair Kit.

For Tooth Care

Toothpaste, Floss, and a New Spare Toothbrush.

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Rub-On Painkiller: Anbesol, Orajel, and Zilactin work on toothaches, gum pain, teething pain, canker sores, and cold sores.
Dental-Repair Kit: For those who've had a lot of dental work, kits like Temparin and Dentemp contain dental cement for temporarily replacing a lost filling or crown.