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Being a long time RN, and occasional camp nurse, first aid is important to me. If there is a major disaster, or power outage, the stores will empty or close. So, an emergency first aide kit is important, imho. It should contain what you need for emergencies but also be usable every day so things can be replenished. I include basic OTC meds.
Disclaimer - I am not trying to discount any doctor, and anything you read here, please check with your own doctor or medical authority that you like. This is just a suggestion, and what I do for me and mine. You may be allergic to some things - so you need to check what is okay for you.
This is what I have in my emergency first aide kit:
Medicines I have on hand:
Food items for first aide use:
I was highly skeptical of essential oils. I still do not believe just anything online about them and do not trust the multi-level marketing stuff about them. But I have talked to trained herbalists and trained Ayurvedic practioners, and with some experiences, I like essential oils for many uses. Keep in mind that in most all cases, they are not for internal ingestion. You need to learn how to use them and they usually need to combined with a carrier oil . I keep:
Since i live in a tropical area near jungle, bug repellent is of high importance. See this post.
Itch cream - see this option. It is good for minor bites like most mosquitoes.
Here is a DIY vapor rub.
Disinfecting surfaces is a health issue imho, and this is a recipe that I use:
http://thegreenbacksgal.com/category/green-living-2/natural-home/
However, instead of vodka, I use 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/4 cup vinegar. It helps with mildew, too.
The cinnamon oil has been shown in studies to be an antibacterial. When I moved to Belize, I did not know any doctors,and live away from town. I have MS and have to take a med that knocks down my immune system. As a result, I am prone to certain infections like urinary tract infections. So it happened, and I did not know where to go. It was getting worse every day despite my best efforts. I met an expat who was a chiropractor in the US for a long time and is an herbalist. She recommended one drop of cassia cinnamon oil in tea when I got home, one at night, then one a day for a week. JUST one drop. The next day, I was dramatically better. Later, when I was in the US, I saw my doctor (MD) and told her, and she was familiar with it, approved and suggested that I add Vit C when dealing with it. It is not for regular use. I probably would have gone for the antibiotics had I been in the US - but this was great. Chat with your doctor if you have questions.
Disclaimer - I am not trying to discount any doctor, and anything you read here, please check with your own doctor or medical authority that you like. This is just a suggestion, and what I do for me and mine. You may be allergic to some things - so you need to check what is okay for you.
This is what I have in my emergency first aide kit:
- Soap - cuts and scrapes need to be washed. It is the number one way to prevent infection. I prefer castile soap - namely Dr Bronners pure castile soap. It is handy for lots of things, but gentle for cuts and scrapes yet good.
- Band-aids of various sizes, and a mix of fabric ones and plastic. Make some non- latex as there are allergies to latex
- Steri-strips
- Gauze 3x3 or 4x4s
- Roller gauze
- Ace wraps
- Splints of various sizes
- Baggies for ice
- Tape - you can use cloth, I prefer a plastic based one that sticks.
- Triangular bandages - scarfs work - for slings
- a few instant cold compresses
- scissors
- tweezers
- gloves - make some non-latex. Some folks are allergic to latex.
- Antibiotic ointment - this is a choice. IF you wash with soap, you should not need it. However, some wounds are particularly dirty. You can buy a brand name, or you may chose to use something like lavender essential oil in sweet almond oil (a non-cooking oil). Some sources recommend honey which has a natural antiseptic effect.
- Hydrogen peroxide - some recommend it to clean wounds but several doctors have told me it inhibits healing and two of those that said that are plastic surgeons. It is handy in getting out small stones in abrasions (I was a school nurse for a number of years-can you tell?)
- Eye cups for when there is something in the eye.
Medicines I have on hand:
- Imodium for diarrhea. I do not use Pepto-Bismol. IMHO, it is junk and my doctor agrees. Keep in mind that if it is something bad that you ate, 'better out than in' is my opinion. However, you do not want to get dehydrated.
- Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Aspirin. Each has their benefits and drawbacks.
- Tums or similar
- Gwei Hua Balm or Icy Hot or Sports Creme or your choice. I use Gwei Hua for lots of things. For instance, if I have a headache, I will dab it on my temples, and it really helps. It is wonderful for when you have a crick in the neck. Don't get it in your eyes because ..ouch!
- Camphor Spirits - this is a camphor oil in alcohol product and will kill the eggs a bug may lay in your skin. It will help the sting and itch, but may sting initially if the skin is broken. If you live where there are botlass flies like I do, you would love this stuff.
- Camphophenique - for itching bug bites. It is more antiseptic and soothing than Camphor Spirits as there is no alcohol in it.
- Benadryl - for real itchy bites. ICE is good too
- Tinactin or Micatin cream or generic equivalent - good for athlete's foot and ringworm as they are the same fungus.
- Vapor rub - buy or I make my own.
Food items for first aide use:
- Cough drops - commercial or make your own. Here is one option.
- Cough syrup can be made - 4 TBS lemon juice, 1 c honey, 1/2 cup olive oil. Heat it up to mix. The recommendation is 1 tsp every 2 hours.
- Cornstarch (3 parts) and lemon juice (one part) - make a paste and use on bee stings. As it dries, it may pull out the stinger. It also soothes. Be sure and wash the bite with soap first. Bugs carry germs too.
- Baking soda and salt (equal parts) - mix with a bit of water to make a paste and that also can be used for bee stings. Wash with soap first.
- Baking soda and water can be applied to irritated skin from bug bites. I was bitten (not stung) by a sting-less type bee and site of the bite was irritated - about 4 inches by 2 inches. It was warm and red. This really soothed it. Of course, I washed with soap first.
- Ginger- in the hospital, up to at least 1980, we would open a ginger ale, let it go flat and then give it to post op patients for nausea. It helped. Real ginger ale is hard to find. I make ginger tea for stomach upset. Here is a recipe.
- Salt - add about 1/4 tsp salt to 1/4 cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it (and spit) when you have a canker sore and it takes the sting/pain out for awhile.
I was highly skeptical of essential oils. I still do not believe just anything online about them and do not trust the multi-level marketing stuff about them. But I have talked to trained herbalists and trained Ayurvedic practioners, and with some experiences, I like essential oils for many uses. Keep in mind that in most all cases, they are not for internal ingestion. You need to learn how to use them and they usually need to combined with a carrier oil . I keep:
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Sweet orange
- Tea tree
- Citronella
- lavender
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Roman Chamomile
- Frankincense (sound familiar?)
- lemon
- Cinnamon (cassia)
- Neem topical oil - not an essential oil
Since i live in a tropical area near jungle, bug repellent is of high importance. See this post.
Itch cream - see this option. It is good for minor bites like most mosquitoes.
Here is a DIY vapor rub.
Disinfecting surfaces is a health issue imho, and this is a recipe that I use:
http://thegreenbacksgal.com/category/green-living-2/natural-home/
1/2 cup Vodka
1/2 cup Water
15 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
25 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
15 drops Lavender Oil
Mix all ingredients together and add to a spray bottle. Shake the spray bottle frequently while cleaning.
1/2 cup Water
15 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
25 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
15 drops Lavender Oil
Mix all ingredients together and add to a spray bottle. Shake the spray bottle frequently while cleaning.
However, instead of vodka, I use 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/4 cup vinegar. It helps with mildew, too.
The cinnamon oil has been shown in studies to be an antibacterial. When I moved to Belize, I did not know any doctors,and live away from town. I have MS and have to take a med that knocks down my immune system. As a result, I am prone to certain infections like urinary tract infections. So it happened, and I did not know where to go. It was getting worse every day despite my best efforts. I met an expat who was a chiropractor in the US for a long time and is an herbalist. She recommended one drop of cassia cinnamon oil in tea when I got home, one at night, then one a day for a week. JUST one drop. The next day, I was dramatically better. Later, when I was in the US, I saw my doctor (MD) and told her, and she was familiar with it, approved and suggested that I add Vit C when dealing with it. It is not for regular use. I probably would have gone for the antibiotics had I been in the US - but this was great. Chat with your doctor if you have questions.
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