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.
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First aid kit checklist

A first aid box or medicine cabinet can come in various sizes and can contain many items for their owner’s needs. But there are a few items that they all should share, apart from prescription medication that you take regularly:

Medications, e.g.:

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

Wound care:

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
  • A thermometer
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Refreshing your medicine cabinet

Keeping a convenient and 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 every six months and check the expiration dates on all packages. Be safe and toss out 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 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, or for 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 Hansaplast’s simple 3 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 Hansaplast Wound Spray to prevent infections.
    Woundspray

  2. Protect

    The second step is to protect your wound from dirt and bacteria to enable undisturbed healing. Cover your wound with a plaster, sterile wound dressing or compress from Hansaplast.
    ExtraTough_16s

  3. Heal

    As a third step, you can help your wound to heal safely, fast and with a lower risk of scarring. Apply the Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment regularly until the wound has healed completely.
    WoundOintment
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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, please contact us via email at Hansaplast@Beiersdorf.com.