Read on Twitter
A thread of simple, affordable essential items to include in your first aid kit at home! All obtainable from your local pharmacy.
As a caveat, I have medical experience and first aid training. In most situations, seeking medical help is the best course of action.
As a caveat, I have medical experience and first aid training. In most situations, seeking medical help is the best course of action.
People tend to just use antiseptic creams + slap plasters on. While that can provide help for very minor things, consider these that have long shelf life.
Saline: Used for open wounds and flushing out debris safely.
Chlorhexidine: Disinfects and cleans -around- affected area.
Saline: Used for open wounds and flushing out debris safely.
Chlorhexidine: Disinfects and cleans -around- affected area.
A supply of sterile cotton balls are good for the above washes. Remember to always use cotton balls and cleaning an area just ONCE, and disinfect from inside to outside.
All used items used have to be bagged up and discarded properly. Keep the area as sanitary as possible!
All used items used have to be bagged up and discarded properly. Keep the area as sanitary as possible!
No cotton balls? Clean gauze is also a good alternative.
Always remember to have a pair of scissors as well as tweezers to handle your items - and clean them after use! We all don't own autoclave machines, but a thorough wash is good.
Always remember to have a pair of scissors as well as tweezers to handle your items - and clean them after use! We all don't own autoclave machines, but a thorough wash is good.
For minor cuts and scrapes:
1) Steri-Strip (Will demonstrate their use in a few posts)
2) Primapore (Dressing pad with its own cloth adhesive)
3) Surgical tape (Flexible, waterproof, hypoallergenic!)
4) Elastic adhesive bandage (Self-explanatory)
All have their different uses.
1) Steri-Strip (Will demonstrate their use in a few posts)
2) Primapore (Dressing pad with its own cloth adhesive)
3) Surgical tape (Flexible, waterproof, hypoallergenic!)
4) Elastic adhesive bandage (Self-explanatory)
All have their different uses.
For larger areas:
1) Melolin is a dressing pad on its own that will require holding together either with surgical/micropore tape or with elastic/regular bandage.
2) Primapore, as aforementioned, is basically melolin + sticky bandage, but only in a single long strip. Cut to use.
1) Melolin is a dressing pad on its own that will require holding together either with surgical/micropore tape or with elastic/regular bandage.
2) Primapore, as aforementioned, is basically melolin + sticky bandage, but only in a single long strip. Cut to use.
Jelonet is another amazing thing I keep. This is mostly used for minor burns or wounds with superficial skin loss. This needs to be changed every 1-2 days, as drying out causes it to stick to the wound. You don't want that. 
Apply Melolin after Jelonet, and wrap.
Apply Melolin after Jelonet, and wrap.
Whilst I'm on the topic of burns:
Rinse in COOL running water for 15-20 minutes
Nope it isn't 20 minutes yet, keep it there, your water bill is fine
NO TOOTHPASTE
Yes that means no chinese ??oils?? either (omg good god in heaven I will cry)
Don't use ice
SEE A DR!
Rinse in COOL running water for 15-20 minutesNope it isn't 20 minutes yet, keep it there, your water bill is fineNO TOOTHPASTEYes that means no chinese ??oils?? either (omg good god in heaven I will cry)Don't use iceSEE A DR!
Remember our good friend Steri-strip? I cut myself whilst making lunch a couple of days ago. It has healed significantly despite the wound reopening a lot due to it being on the index finger, thanks to immediate care.
The first thing to do with cuts is to clean the area, and apply pressure. After doing so, using this is good due to the complex area involved, and it has small threads to hold the skin closed and aid in healing. Change when necessary.
Not advisable for larger/deeper cuts.
Not advisable for larger/deeper cuts.
Mmm!! 
I forgot to mention that whenever handling any of the dressing items, do not use your hands and touch items that are going onto wounds!!!!
Keep your dressing items and work space sterile. Wash your hands before and after such things, and seek medical attention.
I forgot to mention that whenever handling any of the dressing items, do not use your hands and touch items that are going onto wounds!!!!
Keep your dressing items and work space sterile. Wash your hands before and after such things, and seek medical attention.
