First aid
Find out what to do in case of minor accidents – and how to treat and heal minor wounds as fast and efficient as possible

ABOUT

First Aid – first measures

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

Do you have a well-stocked first aid kit?

When do I need a doctor?

Most minor cuts and bruises can be treated effectively with a first-aid kit (see TREATMENT). 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 there are embedded foreign objects
  • in case of an animal or human bite or
  • in case of contact with animal blood
  • if the wound is in the area of the face
  • if there is insufficient tetanus vaccination
  • and of course any time you have questions or are uncertain
We recommend: seek medical advice where there are breathing problems; unconsciousness; a deep wound with a major loss of blood; a severe burn; a suspected broken bone or heart attack; a severe allergic reaction; a snake, animal or human bite; poisoning; severe shock or any condition that turns rapidly worse.
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TREATMENT

The golden rule for minor wounds:

Wash your hands and check if your wound needs cleaning too. If small objects are embedded in the wound (sand, glass etc.), remove these with a clean dry cloth or rinse under water.

Cleaning the wound with a mild disinfecting spray will not hurt. We also recommend you also disinfect the graze or abrasion.

Now for the right wound dressing – do you need a bandage or a plaster? Elastoplast offers a wide range for every need and in every size and texture: invisible or extra durable.

Expert Tip – Why wound dressing?

Even if an accident happens out of the blue, you should take your time to dress your wound instead of letting it dry. Why? Because this will create optimal conditions for undisturbed and fast healing.

“In every wound, the protective function of the skin is impaired. The objective of wound dressing is not only to protect the wound, but also to enable conditions in which healing of the skin can proceed as undisturbed as possible, so that the skin’s healthy structure can be restored."

“A PLASTER WILL PROTECT
YOUR WOUND AND IMPROVE
THE HEALING PROCESS.”

In the treatment of minor everyday injuries, standard first aid dressings and plasters:

• Protect your wound from external influences and prevent contamination and infection 
• Ensure the absorption of blood and secretions
• Reduce pain and trauma to a minimum during dressing removal and improve your comfort.

Find out what moist wound healing plasters can do to ensure better healing.

Dr. Rainer Wolber, Research & Development, Beiersdorf AG
All the functions of a plaster © Elastoplast
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SOLUTIONS

First choice for first aid: some products that might help

Finding the right wound dressing has never been so easy. Just rely on these Elastoplast
products, which should find a home in every first aid kit.

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PREVENTION

The best scar prevention: good wound care

The best way to prevent an unsightly scar or to reduce its appearance is to do a good job of caring for your wound. Follow these two steps:

  1. 1. Clean a fresh cut or scrape properly. Proper cleaning helps to prevent infection and promotes the best possible healing. Remove with a dry clean cloth or rinse under water. Irritants such as harsh soaps are not good for cleaning minor wounds and may actually delay healing.
  2. 2. Keep it covered. Keeping your wound covered with a wound dressing will help it to heal undisturbed and protect it by preventing bacteria or dirt from entering and irritating the wound. Tip: if you want to use wound cream to help keep your wound moist, try Elastoplast Plaster with Healing Cream, which already contains cream.
Don't pick at scabs. Right after you get a cut or scrape, your body starts healing the wound. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets create a clot over your wound. And in no time, a scab forms. If you pick off the scab, you may not only reopen the wound and introduce bacteria, you could also create a larger scar.
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Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection such as reddening, swelling or warmth. 

Seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.

If you have diabetes, proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
 
Please note that none of the tips above replace professional medical advice. Consult a health expert if you are uncertain how to treat your wound properly.
 
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If you have (or suspect you have) a health problem, consult your doctor. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

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

Please read the instructions for use given in our product packaging with care.