The essential first aid items you should always carry with you

Most parents understand the importance of having a well-stocked first aid kit at home. But children’s accidents don’t just happen within your four walls so making a portable kit an essential addition to any glove box.

Be prepared to treat minor emergencies on-the-go by kitting out your car with these top five first aid essentials.

1. Hydrocortisone cream
Skin irritations are a regular occurrence in children, with everything from insect bites to sun exposure potentially causing adverse reactions to their sensitive skin.

A hydrocortisone cream like DermAid is a must for any first aid kit, with the active ingredient working to quickly reduce the redness, swelling, itching and discomfort associated with common skin complaints.

Suitable for use on children from the age of two upwards, DermAid has been scientifically formulated and dermatologically tested to ensure it is gentle on the most sensitive skin.

2. Antiseptic wipes and hand sanitiser
Essential for cleaning wounds before you apply a dressing, antiseptic wipes provide a quick and convenient solution for removing dirt or blood from cuts and scratches. An antibacterial hand sanitiser, such as Aqium, allows the person treating the injury to thoroughly clean their hands before applying dressings or bandages. This reduces the risk of an infection developing.

These first-aid items will be handy to carry in the car. Source: Getty
These first-aid items will be handy to carry in the car. Source: Getty

3. Dressings and bandages
A first aid kit should contain both adhesive and non-adhesive dressings in a variety of shapes to provide a cover for open wounds, while cloth bandages in a range of sizes are useful to help secure dressings in place and provide support for injured limbs. Your kit should also include safety pins and surgical tape to allow you to properly secure the bandages.

4. Tweezers and scissors
A small, sharp pair of scissors is necessary for cutting dressings and bandages to size, while scissors designed with a blunt end are useful in ensuring patient safety if you need to cut away clothing to better expose an injured area for treatment.

A first aid kit should also contain a pair of tweezers, useful when trying to extract or pick up small objects. Flat tip tweezers with a slanted edge work best on splinters.

Tweezers are always a good idea. Source:Getty
Tweezers are always a good idea. Source:Getty

5. Painkillers and antihistamines
While medications should only be administered when absolutely necessary, especially in children, a first aid kit should contain basic pain relief options including paracetamol and aspirin, as well as an antihistamine. Ensure there is always a child-specific formulation available as adult medications should not be administered to children.

Disclaimer: Before adding DermAid to your first aid kit, ensure you seek advice on its use from a pharmacist.

Always read the labels of all medications and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, contact your healthcare professional.

First aid products such as DermAid, antiseptic wipes and painkillers should be stored below 25 degrees and may not work as intended if kept outside the recommended storage conditions. Please consider the fluctuating interior temperature of your car when considering storage options for your first aid kit.

This content was sponsored by DermAid.

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