Girl putting a plaster on woman’s hand

Home first aid

Basic first aid skills and preparation are essential. Follow this guide to building a home first aid kit and learn care techniques for minor wounds.

What is first aid?

First aid refers to basic medical techniques used in an emergency situation. It can range from the treatment of minor wounds or bruises to the treatment of more serious conditions before professional assistance can arrive. Knowing basic first aid techniques and having your own home first aid kit handy at a moment’s notice is very important, especially if you are the parent or guardian of young children.

Accidents happen, and when they do, it's important to keep a cool head. Not everyone is accustomed to seeing blood, and sometimes simply cutting vegetables in the kitchen can lead to a deep cut that will bleed profusely. Knowing how to react and having a well-stocked first aid kit at home and in your car will keep you prepared.

YOU CANNOT PREVENT ACCIDENTS,
BUT YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD
FIRST AID KIT TO HAND

Elastoplast plasters in first aid kit
Do you have a well-stocked first aid kit?
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First aid kit checklist

A first aid box or medicine cabinet can come in various sizes and can contain a wide range of items. But there are a few items that they should all share, apart from prescription medication that you need to take regularly: 

Medications, e.g.:

  • Anti-diarrheal treatment 
  • Cold medication (decongestants, cough medicine, throat lozenges). 
  • Basic headache medication or other painkillers
  • A fever-reducing medication

Wound care:

Elastoplast first aid range

Other:

  • Sterile gloves 
  • A small pair of scissors – ideal for cutting medical tape, compresses or other bandages to the right size
  • Tweezers, e.g. for removing splinters or particles from wounds
  • Elastoplast Anti-Insect Spray 
  • A thermometer
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Refreshing your medicine cabinet

Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet in a safe but easily-accessible place at home is essential. Here are a few easy tips for keeping your medicine cabinet essentials updated and safely stored.

  1. Make sure to go through your medicine cabinet at least once every six months and check the expiration dates on all packages. Be safe and throw away anything that has expired, as well as antibiotics that have not been used up completely. Ask your drugstore or pharmacy how to discard expired medications.
  2. Store your medicine cabinet in a cool, dry place. Especially with younger children, find a place which is locked up and out of children’s sight and reach to avoid any accidental ingestion.
  3. Also, check for age specifications and dosage recommendations on the medication intended for your children. The types of medications that they can use change as they grow older, as does the dosage. Upgrade and stock up when and where necessary.
  4. A calling sheet can be a crucial time-saver: Always keep important phone numbers such as the emergency number, numbers of your doctor and pharmacy, and any hotlines (e.g. poison hotline) in the medicine cabinet.
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First aid for common injuries

For simple tips on treating the most common types of wounds, such as cuts and grazes, follow Elastoplast’s simple three-step wound care routine.

  1. Cleanse

    A clean and cleansed wound is the first step to optimal healing. Cleanse your wound from dirt, bacteria and visible particles with the Elastoplast Wound Spray to prevent infections.
    Elastoplast wound spray

  2. Protect

    The second step is to protect your wound from dirt and bacteria in order to enable undisturbed healing. Cover your wound with a plaster, sterile wound dressing or compress from Elastoplast.
    Elastoplast fabric plaster

  3. Heal

    As a third step, you can help your wound to heal safely, fast and with a lower risk of scarring. Apply the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment regularly until the wound has healed completely.

When do I need a doctor?

Most minor cuts and bruises can be treated effectively with a first-aid kit described above, but how do you know if an injury needs more attention? We recommend to contact a medical professional in the following circumstances:

  • if the wound is deep and causes major bleeding
  • if the wound shows signs of infection such as redness, warmth, pain and swelling
  • if the wound is a severe burn
  • if there are embedded foreign objects
  • in case of a snake, animal or human bite
  • in case of contact with animal blood
  • if the wound is in the area of the face
  • if you're suffering from breathing problems
  • if you're experiencing unconsciousness or severe shock
  • if you have a broken bone or heart attack
  • if you've had a severe allergic reaction
  • if there is insufficient tetanus vaccination
  • and of course any time you have questions or are uncertain
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Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Please note that, although they were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice, regardless of what you have learned on this website. Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products.

For further information about Elastoplast products, please contact us at consumer.relations.uk@beiersdorf.com