Is it best to buy or make you first aid kits?

[barfife]

For backup supplies for your first aid kit, don't forget the dollar stores. I have found some great and some not so great deals there. Also, at the big box stores and the chain pharmacies, dollars can be saved by buying the store brands of burn ointment, creams and lotions.

[EX121]

barfife be cautious with burn cream, as the current 1st aid protcol is to "cool & cover" and not to put any oinment or cream on the burn. Long term care may be different & depend on the severity of the injury. The biggest problem from a large % burn will be pain, dehydration & potential infection. This is one of my biggest concerns of how to long term treat a big burn.
But your point about the dollar store is valid as the local ones are a favorite stompin' ground of mine.

[MustangGal]

RE: Burn Cream. It is RX, but if you can get some silver sulfadine, it is great stuff. When I worked for the vet, we used it regularly. Later, when my son branded his little bum (backing up to the stove after a bath), I asked the doctor for some and he was happy to write me a 'script.

[Lowdown3]

Silvadene is the bomb! Don't let anyone tell you it's worthless out of date also. We have some that's pushing 15 years that still rapidly brings relief to a fresh burn. We keep a small plastic jar in the fridge with it.

[MustangGal]

Doh! I never thought about storing it in the fridge! Brilliant! An 85 gram tube, which is exactly the same as I got from a human pharmacy is about $12 @ 1-800-Pet-Meds. Heck, if your pet ever gets a burn, ask your vet for a script!

What is Silver Sulfadiazine Cream 1%?


Silver Sulfadiazine Cream 1% is a topical antibacterial cream that can be used on cats, dogs, and horses to prevent burns from becoming infected. Without treatment, burns can easily become infected with dangerous bacteria or yeast, which can prevent them from healing and lead to serious infections. Silver Sulfadiazine Cream 1% offers protection against yeast infections and a broad range of bacterial strains, including common strains like E-coli and Staph. The moisture of the cream can help relieve itching, which is common during the healing process. Silver Sulfadiazine Cream 1% requires a prescription from your veterinarian.

It does say not to use it if you are allergic to sulfer or sulfa drugs. Also not recommended for pregnant or nursing animals/people.

[sewbeit221]

Colloidal Silver

Doesn't colloidal silver work as well for burns as Silvadene? Maybe it just prevents infection after a burn, I saw a colliodial silver generator on a web site might be a good prep item. Won't run out if you can make it. Natural antibiotic kills even MERSA

[Bearman202]

And let's not forget the old standby: Aloe vera. Keep a couple of plants around. It works fantastic on a burn. As for the general first aid kit, I agree with most who say that it really depends on your skill level. Then again, Lowdown has a real point. It would be worth having some things that you might not know how to use, in the off chance that someone will show up that does know how to use it. My real contribution here is to mention that you should have about three times as many bandages as you think you're going to need. If someone gets injured, you will go through them a LOT faster than you think you will. Another thing, price check before you buy. I've been to three pharmacies, and checked on the price of rolled gauze. The price varied from $1.75 to $3.50, for the exact same product, just to give you an idea. If you see something in the bandage aisle that you don't know how to use, that's a good indication that you might need a bit more training. Check with the red cross in your area and find out what they offer.

[protus]

i make mine.
The M3 kit shown , is a great all round kit. Of ocurse you will need to tailor it to your needs, just like the IFAK's.

speaking of building your own. lil something i did on making your own BASIC(KISS) blowout kit on the cheap.

[jbriii]

I like www.chinookmed.com for all of my supplie needs or North American Resuce Products.

[hawkhunter]

Any kit you buy or make is useless unless you truly know how to use it. Have you taken any first aid class's and if not that is where you should truly start.

[jenkins.ray11]

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out an online medical supplies store. They usually have much cheaper prices than local pharmacies. You might be able to find a good starter kit and then tailor it to your own needs.

[donweld]

I made my own, I know what I need, I know what I can use and most kits are expensive and full of stuff i'd never use. I like that M3 kit though most kits with sutures are very expensive. I would recomend using neosporin +pain it's a great dual purpose antibiotic because it also kills the pain from burns and etc.
The absolute best thing for infections is crushed fresh comfrey leaves apply a poultice over night and by morning the infection is gone like magic.

[Klayton]

FYI comfrey is restricted to topical use only. Website warns DO NOT INGEST. Ingestion may lead to liver failure.

So be careful guys, TOPICAL ONLY!!