THE HOME FIRST AID KIT
This HOME FIRST AID KIT treatise will help you find the equipment to deal with medical situations that do not require the services of a professional. This list is NOT a “survival” medical kit for use in a disaster. We will cover that in a subsequent issue.
Keep the kit together, such as in a tackle box, so it is easy to find and can be easily taken on trips. If there are small children, lock it or store it somewhere unreachable by small hands.
The items listed should be available in any pharmacy, or look under “Google” on the internet for 14,000,000 references!
CONTENTS
Acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen: For headaches, pain, fever and simple strains and sprains. Other items may be more personal and important to you, such as allergy meds. Consider Benadryl. It is also an excellent sedative. Always have a few days of your prescription meds on hand, too.
Skin conditions: Hydrocortisone for rashes. Rhuligel for poison oak. “After-Bite” for insect stings, bites.
Ipecac syrup and activated charcoal: For treatment after the ingestion of certain poisons. Speed of treatment is usually necessary. Call the poison control center (1-800-222-1222) for advice.
Elastic bandages: For wrapping joints to help prevent swelling and restrict motion, and to hold larger pads or ice packs in place. 4” is the most useful, especially those with self-closing Velcro tabs.
Splints: A SAM splint is a wonderful thing to have, and can be cut to shape.
Adhesive tape, and 2”or 3” gauze: Elastic tape is the easiest to use, and a 1” size is the most versatile. Paper tape (MicroPore) is thin, easy to tear into smaller sizes, and easy to crease around curves. Gauze rolls that “conform” in shape as they sre wrapped are best (Kling, Conform). Coban, or similar, is a self-adhering elastic wrap that is very useful. Get the 3” size and cut it into smaller strips (the gauze rolls, too) if needed. For scrapes and cuts, use a non-adherent pad such as Telfa next to the skin, over the antibiotic ointment. It makes for less torture in dressing chages!
Self-activating cold compresses: A traditional icebag is best for long-term use, but for fast action, the instant cold packs are great.
Bandages of assorted sizes: Coverlets by Beiersdorf are made of an elastic, knit cloth and are very sticky. They come in a variety of sizes. Pick out your favorites, but be sure to get some of the 1” strips and the ones with four “legs”. Waterproof, breathable bandages (3M Clean Deal, Curad Aqua-Protect) are excellent if the wound must be exposed to moisture. Alcohol or acetone carefully applied to remove skin oil makes tape and bandages stick so much better!
Antibiotic ointment: For cuts and scrapes. Triple Antibiotic (e.g., Neosporin) is the most widely used, but if one is allergic to the Neomycin in that formula, alternatives are Bacitracin or Polysporin. A newer non-stinging iodine formulation is Betadine ointment. Incidentally, the regular Neosporin formula can be used in the eye. You do not have to get the so-called “ophthalmic” size!
Disinfectant and Cleansing Solution: Lots of water and Dial or Safeguard is OK. Remember, “Dilution is the Solution”! Surgical teams in America mainly use Povidone-Iodine 10% (Betadine), and it also is available as a soap. Phisohex and Hibiclens are other former prescription cleansers that now OTC.
Burns (First-degree only): Cold water, cool compresses, and Aloe or Tea Tree Oil as moisturizers.
Blisters or blistered burns (not extensive or 3°): Spenco “2nd Skin” or Aquaphor.
Wound closure: For taping cut edges of skin together (“butterfly dressing”): “Cover-Strips II” by Beiersdorf are the best. Look up “Crazy Glue skin closure” on Google for some interesting information!
Instruments: Tweezers, and disposable scalpels with size 11 and 15 blades. Disposable swabs. Gauze compresses
(“4 x 4’s”). Thermometer, or thermometer strips. Safety pins. “Rubber” gloves (vinyl or nitrile for those allergic to latex). Curved and straight mosquito hemostats (get the cheap ones for about $3-4 each). They have a variety of uses!
First Aid “Manual” (books, really!): There are plenty, and not expensive if bought used from Amazon.com. Check the Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care by the AMA, or the American College of Emergency Physician’s First Aid Manual for two good ones.
Emergency Phone Numbers: Police, fire, poison control, relatives, friends, neighbors. Parents! Teach your little ones 911 if you haven’t already.
By William D. Vanderweken, MD, with a lot of help from his colleagues and friends
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