If you’ve ever purchased a first aid kit, then you may know that many of the kits sold on the market today are simply inadequate. Some contain nothing more than a couple of band aids and an alcohol swab or two. While this may come in handy if you sustain a small, minor cut, it will prove useless for most other injuries. You can ensure that you have all the medical supplies you need for injuries both large and small by building your own first aid kit. (As an added benefit, compiling the supplies yourself will probably save you a significant amount of money!) So, what exactly should you put in your first aid kit? That’s simple! Stop by one of Scottsdale’s various drug stores or big-box stores and stock up on the following:

Medications

There are various types of medications that you should keep on hand. Fortunately, these are all very common drugs that can be readily found at any supermarket or corner store in Scottsdale. Consider picking up a few of the following:

– Analgesics – These drugs are more commonly known as pain relievers. There are a wide variety of over-the-counter analgesics on the market, each offering pain relief its own unique way. Examples of analgesics include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®); salicylate drugs like aspirin (Bayer®); and other medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Because allergies to these (and other over-the-counter) medications are extremely prevalent, you should always use precaution when dispensing them.

– Antihistamines – This type of medication is commonly used to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Over-the-counter antihistamines – such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and loratadine (Claritin®) – should only be utilized to relieve minor symptoms such as those produced by seasonal allergies. Serious allergic reactions to nuts, bees, and various other things can cause anaphylaxis, which is very serious and can cause death. If someone is having difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms, 911 should be called immediately.

Bandages

These days, it seems like special bandage are made for practically every body part. Rather than purchase a separate package of each type of bandage, you may want to pick up an assortment pack from your favorite Scottsdale-area store instead. In addition to bandages, you’ll probably also want to pack:

– Butterfly closures/stitches (can sometimes be used to close small lacerations)

– Elastic bandages (can be used to create localized pressure)

– Gauze bandages (can be used to hold a dressing in place or as an absorbent barrier between the skin and another bandage)

As mentioned previously with regard to medication, allergies are very common. Latex (a common allergen) is used to make bandages. For this reason, you may want to consider purchasing bandages that are latex-free.

Miscellaneous Items

Should you find yourself providing emergency medical care for another individual, you must use precaution to ensure that you don’t come into direct contact with any bodily fluids. Many serious illnesses are spread via these fluids and your good deed could very well become a detrimental mistake if you don’t protect yourself. Whether you’re performing first aid care on yourself or another individual, you should take care to make sure your hands are clean. A very easy way to ensure cleanliness is by using rubber gloves (latex-free if at all possible). Make sure that you pack several pairs of gloves as they’re typically made from thin materials that can tear relatively easily.

In addition to gloves, you should also probably pack some alcohol swabs and a bottle of hand sanitizer, just in case they’re needed.

In Closing

These items may not make up the most comprehensive first aid kit, but they’re definitely a good foundation on which to grow. So, stop by your favorite Scottsdale drug store and get to packing!

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health. http://www.yelp.com/biz/laser-spine-institute-scottsdale

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health.

Category: Advice
Keywords: health