A first aid kit is a must-have medical care toolbox in the house or workplace. The ease of treating minor injuries with specific medical care instruments helps lower the risks of infections. It also speeds up the recovery rate of the person.
AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst provides prompt and quality medical care to all patients in need. First-aid tips are important to know if you’re ever in a situation that requires it. Learn our recommended first aid and visit our walk-in center for care today.
First Aid Kit Recommendations
Whether you buy an already set first aid kit or you wish to put your first aid kit together, the kit should have the following medical supplies:
- Allergy medicine
- Latex-free gloves
- Alcohol wires
- Aloe vera gel
- Bandages
- Calamine lotion
- Elastic bandages
- Gauze rolls
- Hand sanitizer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Saline wound wash
- Pain relievers
Cuts & Scrapes
For cuts and scrapes, firstly, wash your hands to avoid infections.
Secondly, curb the bleeding. Although the bleeding should normally stop if it is a minor cut, you may need to apply a clean bandage to the cut area and hold it up until the bleeding stops.
Thirdly, keep the cut or scraped area under running water to clean the wound. Just water is enough. Soap or iodine will only irritate the wound area.
Fourthly, it would be best to continue the cleaning with tweezers. It would be best to first clean the tweezers with alcohol before using them to remove dirt from the wound. Apply some petroleum jelly to prevent scarring. Cover with a bandage and change it at least once a day unless it is a minor injury.
Finally, it would be best to get a tetanus shot if the wound is deep and you have not got one in the past five years. If the situation gets out of hand, it would be best to see a doctor.
Nosebleeds
For nosebleeds, it would be best to sit upright with your nose held up to prevent further bleeding. After blowing your nose gently to clear clots, it would help to spray both nostrils with a nasal decongestant. After that, pinch your nose and breathe with your mouth. This will stop the bleeding.
If bleeding does not stop after pinching for 10 minutes, repeat the pinching for another 10 minutes. Seek medical care if the bleeding does not stop.
Animal Stings & Bites
The basic first aid treatment will be sufficient for animal bites and stings. Treat the area for itching, inflammation, and pain for mild bites and stings that are not poisonous.
Remove the insect's stinger from the victim's skin by shaving a flat object across the affected area. Rinse the affected area with soap and water.
It would help to place a pack of ice to reduce the pain and inflammation. After that, you may apply calamine lotion to the affected area.
Minor Burns
Cooling the affected area in running tap water for about ten minutes would be best. Wipe the burned area clean with a soft cloth. Make sure the cloth is a clean cloth.
It would be best not to apply antibiotic ointment, toothpaste, or butter to the burned area. These may result in an infection.
It would help to apply petroleum jelly to the injury about twice a week. Usually, minor burns do not result in blisters. But if you see blisters, it would be best not to burst them.
You can cover the injury with a clean non-adhesive bandage. You may also take a pain reliever to reduce the pain.
