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Travel Tip #40

Bring a First Aid Kit

pharmacyStowing a few small items in your dopp kit to make a travel-size first aid kit can save you a lot of pain and misery when you are away from home. This kit is not meant to substitute proper medical attention; a good rule of thumb is that if an injury looks or feels serious, it is serious. For minor cuts, scrapes, bites or rashes, having these over-the-counter items on hand can really help out.

Tweezers:  The first thing you do with a wound is wash it in warm soapy water, then make you sure you get all of the dirt and debris out. A tweezers is perfect for pulling out a splinter or removing a bee’s stinger.

Alcohol Pads: The next step in wound care is to sterilize the area with alcohol. No one wants to carry a large bottle around with them, so these pads are the next best thing.

Triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin): Apply this antibiotic ointment to the wound area several times per day to promote healing and reduce infection.

Band-Aids: Apply this over the wound to stop the bleeding and to keep the area free of dirt. A wound needs air to heal, so remove at night.

Hydrocortisone cream: This is your go-to topical medication for all things rashy. Apply this four times daily to rashes and bug bites to reduce redness and itchiness.

In addition to these items, use over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines that you already packed to treat pain and itchiness, respectively.

Know Before You Go

Most people have most of these sitting at home. Grab them and throw them in your bag. Hopefully, you will never need them, but if you do, your future self will thank you.

Bottom Line

Remember, if it looks or feels serious, then it is serious, and you should make every attempt to seek proper medical attention.

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