Saturday, July 16, 2011

All About Essentials in First-Aid Box for Healthy Home

First-Aid box is very necessary thing for every home as unexpected minor illnesses or accidents can happen anytime. First aid box helps to treat minor injuries as well as keep them away from turning into major emergencies. It should be stored in safe and reachable place but out of reach for the children. Ready-made first-aid box is available in the market but you can make a simple and inexpensive first-aid box your own at home. To make first-aid box at home, just buy all the first aid items separately and store them in a suitable container. The benefit of making your own first-aid box is that you can add things as per your personal needs. Read on to know essentials for first-aid box at home.

Essentials for First-Aid Box At Home

1) Gauze

Gauze is very helpful thing to have in a first aid box. Gauze is made from the material which is like cheese cloth. The absorbent fibers of gauze trap blood and hold it till the clots formed, thus stops bleeding. Sterile gauze pads are available in many sizes such as 2X2, 4X4, 5X9, 8X10 and 12X30 but the most common type is 4X4. For your first aid box, buy them individually wrapped. Gauze can be used for larger cuts and scrapes. Gauze can also be used as a bandage to cover and protect wounds while used with tape.

2) Tapes

Adhesive tape is the most versatile thing of all the first aid box essentials. It keeps the gauze in place. Many varieties of adhesive tape are available in the market such as paper adhesive tape, 3M adhesive tape, foam tape, waterproof adhesive tape and cloth tape. You can use this tape for scrapes, dressing cuts and wound treatment. You can also use small strips of tape to hold lacerations together till the sufferer get stitches.

3) Ointment

You should have a small antibiotic ointment tube in your first aid box. Antibiotic ointment disinfects the wound and prevents further infection. You can use “Neosporin” which is the mixture of three antibiotics like polymyxin B, bacitracin and neomycin. So it is known as triple antibiotic ointment. Many people are allergic to neomycin so you can use “Polysporin” which is the mixture of 2 antibiotics like bacitracin and polymyxin B. Therefore it is known as double antibiotic ointment. You can also use Hydrogen Peroxide to kill germs and prevent infection.

4) Hydrocortisone cream

The 2nd ointment tube that you should keep in first aid box is Hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone cream helps to heal rashes and other skin inflammations. It also helps to get relief from itching related with minor skin irritations and rashes because of seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, insect bites, poison oak, cosmetics, soaps, poison sumac, detergents, poison ivy and jewelry.

5) Wipes

You should have both antiseptic wipes and alcohol wipes in your first aid box. Antiseptic wipes are used to clean the surface of wound and kill the germs. You should use antiseptic wipes before applying antiseptic ointment and dressing. Alcohol wipes are used to clean your hands before treating the patient. Never use alcohol wipes to treat bleeding wound.

6) Adhesive Bandages

Adhesive bandages are among the most prevalent items used in a first aid box. Adhesive bandages are available in many sizes. You can use bandages to cover cuts and scraps. Always apply adhesive bandage after cleaning the wound. You must change the bandage once a day. It helps to prevent infections.

7) Elastic bandage

An elastic bandage is good for covering sprained joints. It helps to keep the swelling down. You can also use elastic bandage to make a sling in case of a broken arm or use it with splints to immobilize broken bones. To keep elastic bandage in place it comes with hook-and-loop or metal fasteners. Usually, it is used as a part of the RICE treatment for strains, sprains and bruises.

8) Thermometer

A first-aid box must have thermometer to measure body temperature. You should have a rectal thermometer if your baby age is below 1 year. There are varieties of thermometer but oral digital thermometer is the best choice. Be sure that you wash thermometer after every use.

9) Tweezers

Tweezers are usually overlooked but it is an important part of the first aid box. You can use tweezers to remove debris or foreign objects such as bee stings, ingrown hairs, glass, dirt, hang nails or splinters from a wound. You can also use tweezers to remove dirt from cuts.

10) Scissors

Like tweezers, scissors are also often overlooked. You must have small sharp scissors in you first aid box. Scissors are needed to cut the tape, adhesive tape, gauze, clothes and any materials or obstructions. Be sure to wash scissors after every use.

11) Pain Relievers

Every first aid box must contain a variety of pain relievers. You can have pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol to get relief from migraines, toothache, headaches, muscle pain, period pain or pain due to injury. They come in many forms such as ordinary tablets, soluble tablets, suppositories or liquids. If there are children at your house, then make sure to include pain relievers destined for them. Never give aspirin to children under the age of 16 years.

12) Instant cold pack

Instant cold pack is perfect for first aid box as they don't necessitate refrigeration. It helps to prevent swelling but it can be used for 1 time only. It becomes cold just after opening the seal and activating the inside material.

13) Emergency guide

First aid box must contain a “First Aid Emergency Guide”. You can refer the guide to know how to use the things that are contained in first aid box. You can also bookmark the areas which you think important as well as keep an emergency contact list in your guide.

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