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First Aid: antiseptics?
- Thread starter Outdoors
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- Jul 2, 2000
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- 1,667
Outdoors;
Every cut and scrape I get gets Neosporine (sp?) put on it after cleaning. Almost always by the next day the cut/scrape/punture is starting to heal. You can also squirt some on a cotton ball and use it as tinder like the old "vasoline+cottonball".
One of the things that I never leave home without!
Every cut and scrape I get gets Neosporine (sp?) put on it after cleaning. Almost always by the next day the cut/scrape/punture is starting to heal. You can also squirt some on a cotton ball and use it as tinder like the old "vasoline+cottonball".
One of the things that I never leave home without!
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2001
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- 175
Potassium Permanganate,
I dont have any now but it is excellent stuff.
It can be dangerous if used wrong though.
Can be used as an anaseptic, water purification, and it burns quite readily. Just a side note, I wouldn't use it for water unless absolutely needed as too much and it can make you sick or worse. It is however still a good chemical to have around.
hope this helps.
I dont have any now but it is excellent stuff.
It can be dangerous if used wrong though.
Can be used as an anaseptic, water purification, and it burns quite readily. Just a side note, I wouldn't use it for water unless absolutely needed as too much and it can make you sick or worse. It is however still a good chemical to have around.
hope this helps.
bandaidman
Basic Member
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- Feb 11, 2001
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- 1,149
There are many great skin disinfectants. My favorite is Betadyne because it does not really hurt when applied to an open wound.
Remember betadyne disinfects when it dries. Soaking a wound and then immediately rinsing it off does not do much.
Peroxide is not much of a disinfectant but can help clean old clot off. It is also fun to watch bubble (the enzyme which removes peroxide from the blood is the fastest enzyme in human physiology).
A word on neosporin. Approxiamtely 5% of North Americans are allergic to it (no you wont break out in hives but in can slow healing and make it look like it is infected). People of N. European decent are more likely to be allergic.
Bacitracin works just as well (it is Neosporin minus neomycin). The topical antibiotics have not been shown to speed healing but do protect the wound and prevent a big scab from forming.
Remember betadyne disinfects when it dries. Soaking a wound and then immediately rinsing it off does not do much.
Peroxide is not much of a disinfectant but can help clean old clot off. It is also fun to watch bubble (the enzyme which removes peroxide from the blood is the fastest enzyme in human physiology).
A word on neosporin. Approxiamtely 5% of North Americans are allergic to it (no you wont break out in hives but in can slow healing and make it look like it is infected). People of N. European decent are more likely to be allergic.
Bacitracin works just as well (it is Neosporin minus neomycin). The topical antibiotics have not been shown to speed healing but do protect the wound and prevent a big scab from forming.
The catchy phrase medical people use, regarding wound care, is this- the solution to pollution is dilution. Irrigation of a wound is the preferred treatment. Use water that is clean enough to drink. It is my understanding that Betadine is used to clean treat a site prior to a surgical incision but is not intended to be placed in an open wound.
Here's more info, found after a quick search at www.google.com on the terms 'solution pollution dilution wound' without the quotes:
http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/lacerationsprimer.asp
http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,150__1_2,00.html
http://www.regionsem.org/education/workshop/wound/w-guide.html
A good book on the subject is "Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid" by William Forgey, MD, but there are many other good ones too.
Here's more info, found after a quick search at www.google.com on the terms 'solution pollution dilution wound' without the quotes:
http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/lacerationsprimer.asp
http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,150__1_2,00.html
http://www.regionsem.org/education/workshop/wound/w-guide.html
A good book on the subject is "Wilderness Medicine: Beyond First Aid" by William Forgey, MD, but there are many other good ones too.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 1999
- Messages
- 3,164
grapefruit seed extract can be used for intestinal worms, cuts, it is a serious anti-biotic.
also goldenseal in the capsul can be applied to wounds and is a antiboitic.
these proven natural anti-biotics kill germs but don't kill the healing properties so they also facilitate healing. where as the modern chemicals kill both.
I also carry the iodine crystals, which purify water
also goldenseal in the capsul can be applied to wounds and is a antiboitic.
these proven natural anti-biotics kill germs but don't kill the healing properties so they also facilitate healing. where as the modern chemicals kill both.
I also carry the iodine crystals, which purify water
Bandaidman - thanks for the tips!
Bill2054 - Excellent Links! I'll have to add a sam splint, I guess.
Chris - I meant to ask you about the herbals you listed in your BOB. Glad this thread brought it up. I've been hesitant about herbal medicines in the past, largely due to lack of studies supporting their usefulness and the difficulty in finding consistant and uncontaminated sources. Any insight into this?
All:
Your advise has been very helpful. My kit currently has both iodine and peroxide, and I was wondering if there was a good reason to keep the peroxide. It's good as a mouthwash, but salt seems nearly as effective (for me). I'm planning on keeping the iodine, since it can be used to purify water and applied directly to smaller wounds.
I also have a "wound Management Kit Refill" which includes some betadyne swabs. This refill kit is a pretty good deal, BTW. It has an irrigation syringe, betadyne, gloves, tincture of benzoin and steristrips and some other small items for about $10.
Here's a link (this not an endorsement of REI
):
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=723&prmenbr=8000
Patrick
Bill2054 - Excellent Links! I'll have to add a sam splint, I guess.
Chris - I meant to ask you about the herbals you listed in your BOB. Glad this thread brought it up. I've been hesitant about herbal medicines in the past, largely due to lack of studies supporting their usefulness and the difficulty in finding consistant and uncontaminated sources. Any insight into this?
All:
Your advise has been very helpful. My kit currently has both iodine and peroxide, and I was wondering if there was a good reason to keep the peroxide. It's good as a mouthwash, but salt seems nearly as effective (for me). I'm planning on keeping the iodine, since it can be used to purify water and applied directly to smaller wounds.
I also have a "wound Management Kit Refill" which includes some betadyne swabs. This refill kit is a pretty good deal, BTW. It has an irrigation syringe, betadyne, gloves, tincture of benzoin and steristrips and some other small items for about $10.
Here's a link (this not an endorsement of REI
):http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=723&prmenbr=8000
Patrick
- Joined
- Sep 27, 1999
- Messages
- 3,164
some herbals are proven anti-biotics and while they are granulated and packed I am sure they are very clean since they are meant for internal use. I have applied golden seal and grapefruit seed extract many times with positive results.
in fact today a nieghbor threw out a sh#T load of bamboo. so my wife and I went to collect it. I brought my machete and hacked away the stalks were about 20' tall, when I was arranging them in the truch I was holding my machete and my knuckle just bump the edge 3 times and gave a nasty cut. went home and sprayed some grapefruitseed extract stung like crazy much more than peroxide.
GFS extract also takes care of intestinal worms when I was in india I got really sick(go figure
) and a nurse had overheard me telling my wife I didn't want to eat tonight and she gave me a whole bottle of the stuff it totally cleared it up. It replaces bad flora with good.
as for as survivalism goes, I feel herbal remedies are what is in nature, so it is best to get used to them now, and it isn't a big leap from buying them in the store and making a tea with found medicinals in nature. a great book is tom brown guide to edible and medicinal plants. there aren't really and pictures but a ton of stories and how-to's and what-to's!
in fact today a nieghbor threw out a sh#T load of bamboo. so my wife and I went to collect it. I brought my machete and hacked away the stalks were about 20' tall, when I was arranging them in the truch I was holding my machete and my knuckle just bump the edge 3 times and gave a nasty cut. went home and sprayed some grapefruitseed extract stung like crazy much more than peroxide.
GFS extract also takes care of intestinal worms when I was in india I got really sick(go figure
) and a nurse had overheard me telling my wife I didn't want to eat tonight and she gave me a whole bottle of the stuff it totally cleared it up. It replaces bad flora with good. as for as survivalism goes, I feel herbal remedies are what is in nature, so it is best to get used to them now, and it isn't a big leap from buying them in the store and making a tea with found medicinals in nature. a great book is tom brown guide to edible and medicinal plants. there aren't really and pictures but a ton of stories and how-to's and what-to's!
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- Oct 7, 1998
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Betadine solution (NOT scrub, which has soap in it) is an excellent wound cleansing agent. It should be diluted 1 part in 10 parts water (obviously clean water) before using, as full strength Betadine is indeed somewhat harsh on tissue.
Another use is water purification. 10 drops Betadine solution in one liter of water will kill bacteria, Giardia and amoeba.
Walt Welch MD
Another use is water purification. 10 drops Betadine solution in one liter of water will kill bacteria, Giardia and amoeba.
Walt Welch MD
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2000
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- 70
Sugar.
If your interested in natural antiseptics there is tea tree oil from Australia. Its water miscible. For cuts, infections, insect bites, acne, boils, ringworm, tinea, fungal infections and helps to clear the airways when you have a cold/flu
Regards
Pinpoint
Regards
Pinpoint
bandaidman
Basic Member
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- Feb 11, 2001
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Walt is correct diluted Betadyne works well. I don't like the scrub. Full strength Betadyne can be hard on tissue. In a controlled setting I prefer to cleanse the field with betadyne and irrigate with sterile saline. Not practical for the field though unless you rellay like to hump a lot of gear!
In the field disinfect as best you can. Irrigation is beneficial as long as the stuff you irrigate with is not contaminated. Try to get to definitive medical care as quick as you can.
In the field disinfect as best you can. Irrigation is beneficial as long as the stuff you irrigate with is not contaminated. Try to get to definitive medical care as quick as you can.
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- Oct 10, 2001
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I have always found "New Skin" antiseptic liquid bandage to be quite helpful to have along, and I carry a 1-oz bottle in a small first aid kit which I have on me at all times.
If you're not familiar with it, it's a liquid that bears a disquieting resemblance to rubber cement (complete with a little paint brush on the handle) and smells strongly of clove oil. You brush (or spray. it also comes in a spray bottle for larger areas) it onto a small cut or abrasion and it usually stings a bit, then dries into a semi-hard layer. The clove oil helps disinfect and anesthetize the wound, and the hardened layer usually halts (minor capillary) bleeding and protects the area.
Of course, this is only suitable for minor wounds, but I now use it instead of bandaids. It's certainly a lot less bulky. It doesn't leave that annoying adhesive behind if left on for awhile. It will peel off on its own, or you can go ahead and yank it off when you want to. It's as fun as peeling off elmer's glue or dead skin from a sunburn, but it holds better.
It will also protect or prevent a blister. My grandmother used to work in a factory, and many of her coworkers would cover their palms and fingers with it before starting their shifts.
If you're not familiar with it, it's a liquid that bears a disquieting resemblance to rubber cement (complete with a little paint brush on the handle) and smells strongly of clove oil. You brush (or spray. it also comes in a spray bottle for larger areas) it onto a small cut or abrasion and it usually stings a bit, then dries into a semi-hard layer. The clove oil helps disinfect and anesthetize the wound, and the hardened layer usually halts (minor capillary) bleeding and protects the area.
Of course, this is only suitable for minor wounds, but I now use it instead of bandaids. It's certainly a lot less bulky. It doesn't leave that annoying adhesive behind if left on for awhile. It will peel off on its own, or you can go ahead and yank it off when you want to. It's as fun as peeling off elmer's glue or dead skin from a sunburn, but it holds better.
It will also protect or prevent a blister. My grandmother used to work in a factory, and many of her coworkers would cover their palms and fingers with it before starting their shifts.
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- May 21, 2001
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- 1,668
In an extreme situation... Honey. Just watch out for the damned ants.
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- Nov 25, 2000
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Got one hell of a cut dressing a deer last October. Cut a groove down my left index finger with a razor sharp Bob Dozier Pro Guide knife while trying to detach a stubborn liver. Used peroxide and betadine to clean it up and kept it covered with Neosporin otherwise. No infection through 11 days of hunting and healed up nice. Had me worried though, thanks Neosporin!!
- Joined
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