7 Magical Extras To Add To Your First Aid Kit

With warmer weather approaching, the sun shining and more time outside (hallelujah!), you and your family probably will be reaching for some items that have been stored away the last few months: sunscreen, your tennis racket, golf clubs, picnic baskets, gardening gloves perhaps? But, with that additional time outside, dare I say, you may be reaching for that first aid kit more often, too.  Scrapes, bug bites and stings, sore muscles and a bruise here and there may call for some help.

WHAT TO ADD TO YOUR FIRST AID KIT TO PERFORM A LITTLE MAGIC 

Besides the array of bandages, ointments, tweezers, etc. that most first aid kits contain (and here is the anatomy of what a family first aid kit should look like), I have added a few extras to mine over the years that you may want to think about including, too:


1.  Hands down, this type of bandaid was a miracle in a box for me. I insist you get some of these hydrocolloid bandages and make your life simpler and a whole lot less painful. It took a very bad situation for me and wiped it away with speedy and scar-free healing. You put it on and leave it for days right through showering and bathing. No ouchy removals and re-dressings! Read all about my experience with it here.




2.  This clear gel, arnica, has been used for centuries and for good reason. It is applied topically for bruises, sprains, muscle aches, swelling, wound healing and is being studied for help with burns.  I know of several friends and family members that were told to use this by their surgeons after operations and it sped up their healing dramatically.  I bruise easily so I reach for this often to keep that purple mosaic from appearing or at least reducing the effect.


3.  A plant certainly won't fit in a first aid kit box very well but we have an Aloe Vera growing in the house to break off a branch to use the gel for burn and blister relief. Check out how to easily grow one and why here.


4.  Here is another one you can't keep in a first aid box and only belongs in your freezer: a bag or two of frozen peas.  It makes the best ice pack ever as the peas form small frozen bits to easily wrap around whatever part needs icing down for swelling, etc.


5. Epsom salt is an inexpensive major multi-tasker with lots of ideas here.  It is great for a  bath soak for sore muscles after overdoing it, and I have used it numerous times as a foot soak to help remove splinters from those running around barefoot.


6.  Blended with another neutral carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil, tea tree oil is another magic maker to keep around for scrapes, bug bites, and much, much more.  It is known for its antiseptic properties. This list of 112 uses will surely convince you to keep this magical potion around.  Caution though:  do not apply tea tree oil directly out of the bottle to the skin because undiluted tea tree oil may be irritating.


7.  Baking soda made into a poultice is great for bug bites and bee stings. Try a cup of baking soda to a room temperature bath to ease sunburn after a day at the beach, too. Or, take a washcloth dipped in cool water mixed with a few tablespoons of baking soda and apply to burned area for quick relief.


So, what magical items do you add to your kit or things you like to keep around to fix an injury or two? Please do share in the comments.

FOR EVEN MORE ON THE TOPIC . . .

• Ticks carry lots of disease. Check out how to remove one and what to do if you are bitten.

• Want to get outdoors and need picnic ideas? Got all the details covered right here to make it memorable.

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