iHealth PT3 Infrared No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
$22.98 at Amazon
$32.98Now 30% Off
This no-touch digital thermometer is a must if you have a possibly sick, squirmy baby or teething toddler in the house. It has a built-in infrared temperature sensor so you can take a temperature by simply holding it about an inch away from the center of the forehead. It’s also easy to use: There’s only one button to press, and in one second the temperature displays on a large, easy-to-read LED screen. It runs on two AAA batteries and comes in white or black.
Little Remedies Sterile Saline Mist
$4.72 at Amazon
$5.99Now 21% Off
An important companion for a nasal aspirator is saline spray or drops. Saline is safe and gets the job done. It’s great to use before suctioning, but you can also use it on its own to help keep your nostrils moist, so any mucus eventually makes a smoother trip out of your nose. I usually grab Little Remedies Sterile Saline Mist. With a bit more power and coverage than its competitors, the mist gets out more mucus faster. It’s safe for all ages, (including newborns), reasonably priced, and easy to find in most stores and online.
CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant
$15.28 at Amazon
If you’ve got kids, odds are you’ve probably spent plenty of time fishing toys out of not-so-clean places — the floor of your car, cluttered toy bins, their mouths. CleanSmart Toy Disinfectant is a gentle, no-rinse spray that can help clean and sanitize any germy toys or surfaces that your babies and toddlers play with and on. CleanSmart has only three ingredients: ionized water, salt, and hypochlorous acid. It’s also registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which means that it has been proven to kill “bacteria, viruses, fungus, colds, flu, and many other germs.”
Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier
$49.99 at Walmart
$46.97Now -6% Off
Humidifiers can be a winter-illness survival gift for anyone, but they’re especially important for little ones. The cold, dry winter air causes mucus to become thick and stuck in place. To create humidified and moisturized air, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cool-mist humidifiers, as opposed to warm-mist humidifiers, which can pose a burn risk. My favorite is the Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier. Not only is it an effective cool-mist humidifier, but it triples as a diffuser and nightlight as well. I appreciate the versatility of this multifunction product, which means less equipment and fewer cords to deal with overall.
Frida Baby Vapor Bath Bombs
$19.97 at Amazon
Nothing soothes a sick baby like a warm, cozy bath. Elevate bath time with Frida Baby Vapor Bath Bombs. The natural eucalyptus and lavender may help ease congestion by opening up the small airways that are blocked. And it doesn’t hurt that little ones can enjoy the fizzy water at the same time.
Little Remedies Sore Throat Pops
$6.64 at Amazon
$7Now 5% Off
If you want to make an instant best friend, hand a child a lollipop. So when the children you love aren’t feeling well, a fun way to provide temporary symptom relief is by giving them a sore throat pop. Little Remedies Sore Throat Pops are made with honey, which can be an effective remedy for sore throat. The pops can help soothe irritation caused by viruses and winter allergies with much more enjoyment than a spoonful of more typical symptom-relief medicines. It’s important to note that children under age 1 shouldn’t consume honey because of the risk of infant botulism.
Frida Baby Breathe Easy Kit
$19.98 at Amazon
If curated gift baskets for your loved ones are your go-to presents, you’ll love this get-well kit for kids. The Frida Baby Breathe Easy Kit has handy items to help manage the congestion that babies and parents rightfully despise. It comes with nose and chest wipes, chest vapor rub with eucalyptus and lavender oil, and vapor drops that can be added to a warm bath for aromatherapy. This trio of some of Frida Baby’s best products can be used to calm, comfort, and decongest. On top of all of that, it comes in beautiful packaging perfect for a gift.
Get Well Soon Care Package
$38.99 at Amazon
Sometimes the best “cure” for a cold or the flu is just rest. This thoughtful gift basket comes with all the things a sick mom or friend needs: a cozy fleece blanket, fuzzy socks, silk eye mask, scented candle, soap and bath bombs, and a “Drink Happy Thoughts” tumbler for water or tea. Your loved one can create an at-home spa experience to help soothe the body aches and chills while they rest and recuperate.
Simple Modern Trek Pivot
$59.99 at Amazon
If your loved ones are anything like me, they need an incentive or reminder to drink enough water. Fluids are even more important when you’re sick. Clear liquids help thin the mucus in your airway, which makes it easier for snot to drain from your nose. Thinking about snot and how to change its texture can be kind of gross. So consider getting a big, pretty water bottle like the Simple Modern Trek Pivot as a distraction. There are several colors and two types of lids to choose from, and its pivot handle is easy to carry. It’ll be hard to resist drinking more water from this cute and handy bottle.
TheraICE Headache Relief Cap
$28.45 at Amazon
$29.95Now 5% Off
Since antibiotics don’t work on colds, managing the symptoms is usually the primary form of treatment. One of the most distracting is a headache. Pain relief that isn’t a medication can be hard to find. But cold therapy may help decrease headache pain. The TheraICE compression cap contains a gel that can be heated or chilled. Toss it in the freezer for two hours, then slide it over your forehead or pull it down further to cover your eyes. The stretchy material fits all head and face shapes, and the cap comes in black or pink.
Halls Throat Soothing Honey Vanilla Cough Drops
$7.19 at Amazon
A dry, nagging cough can be hard to deal with (and listen to), so give your loved ones these Halls honey vanilla cough drops. Made with real honey and menthol to help suppress dry, long-lasting coughs and relieve sore throats, they’re soothing, yummy, and cost-effective (80 lozenges for less than $5).
AccuMed Pulse Oximeter
$27.99 at Amazon
A pulse oximeter provides important health information — your oxygen saturation and heart rate — simply by placing it on your finger. If you’re having difficulty breathing or in respiratory distress, the AccuMed Pulse Oximeter can help you decide if you need to reach out to your doctor. Pulse oximeters have limitations, and their readings can be affected by factors like skin thickness and temperature, weight, circulation, pigmentation, tobacco use, and fingernail polish. Always follow the instructions that come with the device. And, most importantly, call your provider if you have medical concerns, even if the readings are considered normal or inconclusive.
Vicks ComfortFlex Thermometer
$12.48 at Walmart
$10.48Now -19% Off
During cold and flu season, one of the most important items in your household is a trusty thermometer. I like a thermometer that can work in multiple ways for different ages. The Vicks ComfortFlex Thermometer can be used in the mouth, armpit, or rectum. It has a testing time of eight seconds and color-coded readings. This thermometer also has a memory feature that shows the last temperature reading taken. Remember to use any thermometer as directed on the packaging, clean it between uses, and label it if used rectally so that it’s not placed in someone’s mouth later. It is recommended that people avoid mercury thermometers because mercury is toxic and can be dangerous if the glass casing breaks.
Disposable Face Masks
$14.24 at Amazon
$14.99Now 5% Off
The best way to prevent spreading germs like viruses and bacteria is to stay away from others. But if you can’t, having a stash of disposable face masks is key. Make sure you wear a mask properly by following these guidelines: Wash your hands before putting on a mask; only touch the bands or ties, not the mask itself; and make sure the mask covers your nose, mouth, and chin. These masks come in 10 colors and are individually wrapped.
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Variety Pack
$15.90 at Amazon
$16.74Now 5% Off
If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the entire family, a pack of travel-sized hand sanitizers will suit everyone. They’re great to have in a pinch, when washing your hands isn’t feasible. This Purell variety pack is my go-to. The “jelly wrap” carrier keeps the bottle in place and easily attaches to any bag. To effectively remove germs, hand sanitizer should have at least 60-percent alcohol. Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer has 70-percent alcohol. The mild formula also contains skin conditioners, so this product is especially great for the cold winter months when hands can get dry and cracked.
RENPHO Heating Pad for Back Pain Relief
$39.89 at Amazon
$59.99Now 34% Off
The body aches you get when you’re sick can be truly miserable. This heating pad can help relieve some of that pain. It wraps around your upper body, including your shoulders and neck, so it feels like a warm, comforting hug. It comes in two sizes in a variety of fun colors and it’s covered in a lush, soft fabric. There are six heat settings, three time settings, auto shutoff, and a controller with a 7-foot cord, so you have freedom to move around. Bonus: The heating pad is FSA- and HSA-eligible.
Bulinlulu Non-Skid Fuzzy Socks
$29.99 at Amazon
You can never have too many fuzzy socks on hand, especially when you’ve got body chills. These cozy chenille socks come in a set of seven pairs in a variety of colors for men and women. The toes have a seamless construction, so there are no itchy or poky threads to irritate your tootsies. These comfy socks also have nonslip rubber grips at the bottom to keep you upright, so you don’t add a broken leg, arm, or other body part to your health woes. Elastic tops means they won’t sag and turn into ankle warmers over time.
Vicks VapoShower
$12.99 at Amazon
A hot, steamy shower can be just the ticket when you can’t stop coughing and your nose is stuffed up. Vicks VapoShower tablets can help create your own steam room when you’re not getting relief from medication. These shower tablets, which release that familiar Vicks menthol scent you remember from when you were sick as a kid, are basically the adult version of the Frida Baby Vapor Bath Bombs. A pack easily fits into a stocking and can help bring real comfort and relaxation to a sick loved one.
Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Blanket Hoodie
$36.99 at Amazon
$45.99Now 20% Off
One of my favorite gifts to give is a Bedsure blanket hoodie. When sickness hits and symptoms like chills and aches take over, a cozy blanket that you wear is something you never knew you needed. And the best part about this ridiculously comfy lined blanket hoodie is that you don’t need to be sick to want to wear it. If there’s even a slight chill in the air I put it on. It comes in multiple sizes and colors. If you give it to one person, get ready for everyone who sees it to ask for one as well.
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Sadie Crouch
Author
Sadie is a freelance writer, a physician liaison for Cook Children's Health System based in Fort Worth, Texas, and a registered nurse with a background in neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, orthopedics, and neurology.
Sadie is passionate about making health literature accessible to all audiences, specifically rural communities like the one she grew up in. She feels strongly about ensuring this literature is accurate and based on best practices and she recently graduated with a masters in science writing from Johns Hopkins University.
Sadie lives in Abilene, Texas, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Her interests outside of healthcare and writing include travel, reading, and being outdoors with her family.