Homemade First Aid Kit. Assemble your own First Aid Kit.

My Dear Homemaker

Your own Homemade First Aid Kit

The reason of keeping a Homemade First Aid Kit at home, is to assist family members in minor injuries or conditions. Taking care of it at home before a doctor or hospital is needed. Minor injuries of illnesses like, bruises, headaches, indigestion and insect bites.

There are so many First Aid Kits available. Store bought ones and Medical aid brands. Tour operators sell them too. None of them have all the necessary items you will need.

In my opinion a homemade first aid kit is the best. You will know exactly what is there and for what. Knowing where to fine stock to replace it when you run out.

Assemble a kit to the needs of your family. Stock up on those items you know will be needed more than often.

We once had neighbours, the lady was an excellent cook, the smells coming from their home were always so divine. Cooking the way she did, gave her hubby some heartburn and indigestion. More than once they ran out of antacid tablets and they would come to us for the rescue.

If she had a homemade first aid kit, she would have realized there are not enough tablets and stock up.

A good homemaker will assemble her own first aid kit according to the family’s needs. When going on a day trip or outing, remember to take the Kit with or have another smaller one in the car for emergencies.

Medicines for Homemade First Aid Kit

This comprehensive list was compiled by Discovery Medical Aid.

Sore throat soothers

Sucking tablets for a sore throat. When buying these tablets make sure children and pregnant women can take it too.

Salt sachets. Nothing heals a sore throat better than gargling with a solution of table salt and water. One teaspoon of salt diluted in one glass of lukewarm water. Keeps a few sachets of salt in the kit.

Antacids for indigestion

Antacid Tablets. There are well-known tablets or liquid to take for indigestion. Buy the one you prefer.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Nothing better for indigestion or heartburn than a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Not too tasty but it neutralizes the acid in a whiss. Keeps a small bottle full with a spoon in the kit.

Painkillers and fever-reducing medicine

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin. Note not everybody can use aspirin.

Buy a painkiller that works for you, and separate ones for the children. Keep an eye on the expiry date.

Rehydration

Oral rehydration sachets containing electrolytes

When living in a hot climate keep some sachets of electrolytes in the kit, drink according to the instructions.

Homemade substitute.

Keep the following mix in a bottle as an alternative.

1 ½-2 cups water.

1/8 to 1/4 tsp real sea salt Himalayan salt, or Celtic sea salt.

2 tsp sugar. Mix well and drink it all.

Medicine for the relief of nausea and vomiting

Ask your chemist to assist or a doctor for a remedy.

Ice cold water with lemon juice will help. Ginger will also help, but avoid any sugary drinks.

An adult can take a very weak mix of whiskey and ice-cold water to suppress the symptoms.

Your Homemade First Aid Kit

Medicine for an upset stomach to stop diarrhea and cramps

Ask a doctor to assist in prescribing the right medication to keep at home. It can be fatal if your child dehydrates because of diarrhea.

A baby less than three months should be taken to a doctor immediately.

Put a hot water bottle on the tummy.

What to Eat

Banana

Dry toast

Cooked white rice and drink the fluid too.

Rooibos tea without milk and sugar

Constipation

Keeps a packet of dried fruit in your kit.

Constipation is the result of bad eating habits. Eat lots of fiber and drink enough water.

Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and veggies.

Foods to eat for quick results

Drink water and eat a handful of fresh:

Dried prunes

Figs or dried figs

Grapes or raisins

Pears

Apple

Make a stew with some dried fruits and a little honey and eat a bowl full.

For over the counter medication consult your chemist, he will know best.

If a baby is constipated, buy prepared baby food in a bottle with a prune mix.

An apparatus to conduct an enema, is handy.

Allergies

Antihistamine tablets to relieve allergies and a topical cream for insect bites and stings

Keep the medicine for personal allergies like hay fever also in the kit.

If someone has regular allergy symptoms, consult a doctor and keep a prescribed tablet or cream in your kit.

Mosquito repellent is a necessity, get the spray, cream or stick. Frequently stock up.

Buy a few slow release rubber mosquito ankle repellent bands for kids.

Beware of bees, keep away if possible. A sting can have severe effects if you are allergic. It can sometimes be fatal.

Keep a small jar of PREP in your kit to rub on insect bites, it has a quick relieving effect.

Decongestant for a stuffy nose

Nasal sprays are a quick relief but have long term negative effects. Use it with care when necessary.

A good alternative is to keep essential oils near such as

Peppermint oil

Eucalyptus oil

Pine oil

Clove oil

Lavender

Add a few drops on a handkerchief or a cotton ball on your pillow for relief, it will do wonders.

Saline eye drops for dry or itchy eyes

Eye drops. Ask your chemist for the best eyedrops in your specific case. Keep an eye on the expiry dates.

Eye patch and cotton balls. Keep it in the kit to protect an irritated or injured eye.

A small bottle of castor oil. When going to bed, put a drop of castor oil in each eye, it helps to illuminate irritations. Note that your eyesight will be blurry for a while, therefore at bedtime.

Be especially careful when administering any medicine to children.

Homemade First Aid Kit

Equipment to consider including in your kit

Thermometer

Preferably get a digital thermometer.

Plasters

Get a variety of different sizes.

Plaster on a role can be a good investment for larger injuries.

Antiseptic ointment to prevent infection in minor cuts and abrasions

Neosporin is a highly recommended antibacterial ointment.

Disinfect the wound first and then add the ointment.

A nurse treating bedsores in an old age home gave me this excellent mixture to use.

Equal quantities of

Betadine: it is an anti inflammatory ointment

Prep: keeps the wound dry and calm

Honey: is the healer.

Mix well and will keep good in the kit.

Gauze for wound dressings

What kind of gauze do you put on a wound?

“Coarse varieties are generally used for debridement, whereas fine gauze is typically used for packing to enhance the protective barrier of wound dressings. Non-woven gauze is made from fibers that are condensed together to resemble a weave. This design allows for greater absorbency as well as better wicking.”

Advancedtissue.com

Gauze pads

Gauze rolls

Disinfectant

Ask your chemist for the best solution to keep in your first aid kit, and how to use it.

Bandages

The three major types of bandages are:

Roller bandages the most popular everyday use bandage of them all.

Tubular bandages for the use of dislocated ankles or elbows

Triangular bandages for broken collarbone

Sellotape or safety pins to secure bandages.

Minor Burn care

Put the hand or body part in contact with cold water, or a compress.

Keep it under running water until the burning sensation stops.

If blisters form don’t break them, it is the body’s way to protect the damaged skin.

Keep clean and open, no need for a bandage.

If it gets red and looks infected, see a doctor.

Scissors
Tweezers
Wound-closing strips
Anti-inflammatory gel, cream or spray

It is wise to keep all the instructions on how to use the medication.

Write down the procedure of the step by step treatment of every kind of injury in a booklet and keep it in the first aid kit.

A good homemaker will do regular drills on how to use the first aid kit with the children. Get them familiar with the use of the equipment.

There you have it, a comprehensive list of what you will need for your Homemade First Aid Kit.

Until next time take care and stay safe.

Estelle

Empower to Walk Tall with Pride and Confidence

My Dear Homemaker

Your own Homemade First Aid Kit

The reason of keeping a Homemade First Aid Kit at home, is to assist family members in minor injuries or conditions. Taking care of it at home before a doctor or hospital is needed. Minor injuries of illnesses like, bruises, headaches, indigestion and insect bites.

There are so many First Aid Kits available. Store bought ones and Medical aid brands. Tour operators sell them too. None of them have all the necessary items you will need.

In my opinion a homemade first aid kit is the best. You will know exactly what is there and for what. Knowing where to fine stock to replace it when you run out.

Assemble a kit to the needs of your family. Stock up on those items you know will be needed more than often.

We once had neighbours, the lady was an excellent cook, the smells coming from their home were always so divine. Cooking the way she did, gave her hubby some heartburn and indigestion. More than once they ran out of antacid tablets and they would come to us for the rescue.

If she had a homemade first aid kit, she would have realized there are not enough tablets and stock up.

A good homemaker will assemble her own first aid kit according to the family’s needs. When going on a day trip or outing, remember to take the Kit with or have another smaller one in the car for emergencies.

Medicines for Homemade First Aid Kit

This comprehensive list was compiled by Discovery Medical Aid.

Sore throat soothers

Sucking tablets for a sore throat. When buying these tablets make sure children and pregnant women can take it too.

Salt sachets. Nothing heals a sore throat better than gargling with a solution of table salt and water. One teaspoon of salt diluted in one glass of lukewarm water. Keeps a few sachets of salt in the kit.

Antacids for indigestion

Antacid Tablets. There are well-known tablets or liquid to take for indigestion. Buy the one you prefer.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Nothing better for indigestion or heartburn than a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Not too tasty but it neutralizes the acid in a whiss. Keeps a small bottle full with a spoon in the kit.

Painkillers and fever-reducing medicine

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin. Note not everybody can use aspirin.

Buy a painkiller that works for you, and separate ones for the children. Keep an eye on the expiry date.

Rehydration

Oral rehydration sachets containing electrolytes

When living in a hot climate keep some sachets of electrolytes in the kit, drink according to the instructions.

Homemade substitute.

Keep the following mix in a bottle as an alternative.

1 ½-2 cups water.

1/8 to 1/4 tsp real sea salt Himalayan salt, or Celtic sea salt.

2 tsp sugar. Mix well and drink it all.

Medicine for the relief of nausea and vomiting

Ask your chemist to assist or a doctor for a remedy.

Ice cold water with lemon juice will help. Ginger will also help, but avoid any sugary drinks.

An adult can take a very weak mix of whiskey and ice-cold water to suppress the symptoms.

Your Homemade First Aid Kit

Medicine for an upset stomach to stop diarrhea and cramps

Ask a doctor to assist in prescribing the right medication to keep at home. It can be fatal if your child dehydrates because of diarrhea.

A baby less than three months should be taken to a doctor immediately.

Put a hot water bottle on the tummy.

What to Eat

Banana

Dry toast

Cooked white rice and drink the fluid too.

Rooibos tea without milk and sugar

Constipation

Keeps a packet of dried fruit in your kit.

Constipation is the result of bad eating habits. Eat lots of fiber and drink enough water.

Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and veggies.

Foods to eat for quick results

Drink water and eat a handful of fresh:

Dried prunes

Figs or dried figs

Grapes or raisins

Pears

Apple

Make a stew with some dried fruits and a little honey and eat a bowl full.

For over the counter medication consult your chemist, he will know best.

If a baby is constipated, buy prepared baby food in a bottle with a prune mix.

An apparatus to conduct an enema, is handy.

Allergies

Antihistamine tablets to relieve allergies and a topical cream for insect bites and stings

Keep the medicine for personal allergies like hay fever also in the kit.

If someone has regular allergy symptoms, consult a doctor and keep a prescribed tablet or cream in your kit.

Mosquito repellent is a necessity, get the spray, cream or stick. Frequently stock up.

Buy a few slow release rubber mosquito ankle repellent bands for kids.

Beware of bees, keep away if possible. A sting can have severe effects if you are allergic. It can sometimes be fatal.

Keep a small jar of PREP in your kit to rub on insect bites, it has a quick relieving effect.

Decongestant for a stuffy nose

Nasal sprays are a quick relief but have long term negative effects. Use it with care when necessary.

A good alternative is to keep essential oils near such as

Peppermint oil

Eucalyptus oil

Pine oil

Clove oil

Lavender

Add a few drops on a handkerchief or a cotton ball on your pillow for relief, it will do wonders.

Saline eye drops for dry or itchy eyes

Eye drops. Ask your chemist for the best eyedrops in your specific case. Keep an eye on the expiry dates.

Eye patch and cotton balls. Keep it in the kit to protect an irritated or injured eye.

A small bottle of castor oil. When going to bed, put a drop of castor oil in each eye, it helps to illuminate irritations. Note that your eyesight will be blurry for a while, therefore at bedtime.

Be especially careful when administering any medicine to children.

Homemade First Aid Kit