First aid has come to be a household name in residential and commercial settings alike. It’s the primary go-to to soothe pain from minor injuries before any additional remedy can be applied. But how exactly should you use first aid, and how should you manage it?
What to have in your first aid kit
You can purchase a first aid kit at the store or make yourself one at home.
A typical first aid box will contain:
- Bandages and tape
- Sterile gauze
- Antibiotics
- Antiseptic wipes
- Burn ointment
- CPR
- Aspirin
- Eyeshield and eyewash
- Chemical cold pack.
However, instead of the manufactured chemicals found in most kits, you can purchase a natural first aid such as the manuka honey ointment. Made from natural honey without any artificial chemicals, this first aid ointment creates a physical barrier to prevent wounds from infection and a moist, low pH environment that supports new tissue formation and healing. It is perfect for treating cuts, scrapes, burns, and blisters.
How to apply first aid
- Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitizer to avoid infecting the wound all the more. If you’re treating someone, it’s great to wear gloves.
- Stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area with gauze. Hold for some minutes.
- Use sterile saline solution to clean the wound of dirt and debris and to avoid infection. In the absence of a saline solution, cool, clean water is a perfect alternative. You may use a washcloth to do the cleaning but avoid using cotton wool.
- You can now apply the Manuka Honey Ointment to the wound for fast relief and healing of the tissue.
Note: Do not use hydrogen peroxide or iodine as these can cause irritation to the wound.
Bandaging wound
You really don’t have to put a bandage on every cut or graze, and certainly not on burns and blisters. Such injuries tend to heal faster when exposed to the atmosphere. And if you’ve used an ointment such as Manuka, an environment is created which fosters fast tissue formation and healing.
You only need to bandage if the injury is on a body part that easily comes in contact with clothing or another body part. Also, do well to change the bandage once it appears wet or dirty.
Calling a doctor
You should call a doctor immediately if:
- The injury is deep or big.
- An animal or rusty object had inflicted the wound.
- The bleeding doesn’t stop.
- There’s debris inside the cut that proves difficult to remove.
- You develop a temperature.
Where to keep your first aid kit
Ensure you keep your first aid box out of the reach of children, preferably on a high shelf. Just ensure you can easily reach it without hassle.
Note that medicines can expire if you do not use them, so it’s wise to check at least once a year. But if you’re using a natural first aid like the Manuka Honey Ointment, it doesn’t expire because it’s honey. But do check for crystallization. If the honey has crystallized over time, simply heat it in a cup of warm water for some time to liquefy the crystals.
