First Aid: Any MAJOR reason for Benadryl Cream?

[NeedItCheaper]

For some reason when I saw Extra Strength Benadryl Cream in the store while back, I had to have it. But since I have BurnGelPlus, and Alcohol Swabs, is there any major reason for it? The only thing those others don't cover that the cream does is stuff like Poison Ivy, but is that something you would just deal with? I'm thinking of replacing it with something, but I don't know what........


Med Kit is pretty basic:
BurnGelPlus
Alcohol Swabs
Purell
NewSkin Liquid Bandage
Gorilla Tape
Lots of Gauze(I don't believe in bandaids, lets not restart an old argument please)
Ibuprofen
Imodium
Water purifying tablets
ChapStick
Small medical scissors
Small knife
Tweezers that grab hair and splinters really well
Extra Strength Benadryl Cream

And Curad Bloodstop Hemostatic Gauze are on the way.......

 

[Doc8404]

Are you going to be using this kit camping/backpacking? If so, I would find the smallest tube possible and still keep it on hand. The major reason for this? Psychological well being. If you are lost in the woods or in a true survival situation, the discomfort from a bad case of poison oak related dermatitis can be enough to break you...you won't be able to sleep or think of anything but the extreme compulsion to itch. Of course that really depends on where you are going, the time of year, etc. Your first aid kit should be modular and adapted to your anticipated situation. If you are going to be in the woods, the most common things you are likely to run into are:

1) Mechanical injuries, mostly likely ankle or knee. You have hemostatic gauze but no basic ace wraps or splinting materials
2) Cuts from playing with our knives
3) Burns from playing with fire
4) Allergic histamine reactions due to poison ivy/oak etc, insect bites, sunburn, etc
5) Gastrointestinal disruption due to a change in daily routine, diet, or ingestion of parasites; diarrhea causes rapid onset dehydration. You may want to throw some electrolyte tabs in there.

Also consider what other tools you are carrying. For example, if I am carrying a hatchet I always make sure to bring a CAT tourniquet or the like because I am far more likely to suffer a major injury due to the nature of axe use....it can also be used to cut off circulation in the event you need to amputate a limb.

 

[NeedItCheaper]

Are you going to be using this kit camping/backpacking? If so, I would find the smallest tube possible and still keep it on hand. The major reason for this? Psychological well being.

BackPacking, and in the winter, but I carried my winter pack all through the summer for training purposes. It actually saved me, it winter from low 70's to snowing in 12 hours. Glad I had what I had at the time. Is there a more multi-use cream out there than this? Seems like all the poison ivy treatments don't do much more. Just trying to get the most bang for buck if you know what I mean.

1) Mechanical injuries, mostly likely ankle or knee. You have hemostatic gauze but no basic ace wraps or splinting materials

I don't know how to use them, so I took them out. I do have them though. Are there some good vids you recommend? How helpful are they?

Also consider what other tools you are carrying. For example, if I am carrying a hatchet I always make sure to bring a CAT tourniquet or the like because I am far more likely to suffer a major injury due to the nature of axe use....it can also be used to cut off circulation in the event you need to amputate a limb.

Would I be the dumbest person in the world if used 550 ParaCord, or 100ib nylon cord?

I'm think of getting Ever Ready First Aid Universal Aluminum Splint, 36 Inch Rolled, 5 Ounce........ I was also thinking of a home made stick and Paracord solution, but then again that would require quick work, I don't know how functional I could make it.


Thanks for the feed back.

 

[23698012]

How about some Neosporin? I personally have found that it reduces the healing time of smaller ( between small and medium, and shallow) cuts by about a day. I would only pack it if you plan on doing overnighters or similar where you might be out for a few days.

 

[23698012]

Also, I know you believe in cause over band aids, but some butterfly strips are a godsend I'm my opinion. They can be used underneath gause pads too.

 

[swonut]

I've found my first aid kit is gone to more for gear repair, but for me the things I'd add:
Small LED AAA flashlight (useful for seeing the splinter)
Crazy Glue
Hemostats (Use them kind of like needle nose pliers mostly to fish for something or to clamp something)
pack of upholstery needles supplemented with some regular needles
Waxed dental floss (ditch the plastic box and just bring the spool)

I think 550 is overkill, but I do have about a 10 foot hank of it right now in my FAK, but need to replace it with something smaller in the 100# range. Probably would be best served by about 20 feet of thin line and about 20 feet of 50# braided fishing line.) Just can't think of anything I'd need 550# breaking strength for so I probably ought to just carry the smaller stuff in a longer length from the get-go.

BT BT

Might consider a 1/2 ounce tube of bug spray and maybe a broad spectrum antibiotic if you can get it.

When I was traveling to developing countries with the military, we'd get a pack of immodium and a regimen of cipro.

 

[jimh0220]

Superglue instead of liquid bandage, only because it hasd more uses, including fire starting.
Corban. Bandage that you can reuse and cut to fit. Better than ace wrap, and cheaper and needs no tape or clips.
ClotStop, or whatever it's called. If it's good enough for the military to stuff in a major laceration, I'm sold.
Popsicle sticks, cheap and handy.
And yeah, Benadryl cream has a use. It's a local antihystamine. Works better on bites,poison ivey, and other hystamine-ish stuff.
Hydrocortizone as well. 2 different purposes, though hydrocortizone will do for most things that Benadryl cream will.
You might want to add Benadryl tablets if you have a serious allergic reaction, unless you have an epipen. Not breathing sucks.
A straight razor blade is priceless too. Much easier to cut flesh with in case...and probably sharper and cleaner than your knife.
And a cheap sewing kit for sewing things up. On you.
And No Doze. Obvious reasons. Shock makes you tired, and if'n you gotta hoof it out, ya' gotta be awake.
Steri Stips or butterfly closures to save ye from stitching. Steri Srips work better IMO.
an energy bar like a Clif Bar or a plain ol' candy bar. Carb energy after shock is helpful.
And Moleskine. Priceless for blisters.

May make your first aid kit a little bigger, but a tiny kit without the best stuff is not gonna work as well.

AND BANDAIDS!! If nothing else, the waterproof ones because they completely seal around the wound, aka keeping it clean.
Otherwise, buy opsite. Amazing stuff with multiple uses. It's the stuff surgeons use, well, on operation sites to keep them sterile.

 

[12345678910]

No triangle bandages?

In the first aid training I had, it was the basic staple of everything.

I see mention of paracord and amputating limbs, Jebus, that's extreeme
How many of us are surgeons?

How about we at least go equipped to stop bleeding, and make slings and splints to get us back to civilized medical treatment.

 

[Hammer67]

Superglue instead of liquid bandage, only because it hasd more uses, including fire starting.
Corban. Bandage that you can reuse and cut to fit. Better than ace wrap, and cheaper and needs no tape or clips.
ClotStop, or whatever it's called. If it's good enough for the military to stuff in a major laceration, I'm sold.
Popsicle sticks, cheap and handy.
And yeah, Benadryl cream has a use. It's a local antihystamine. Works better on bites,poison ivey, and other hystamine-ish stuff.
Hydrocortizone as well. 2 different purposes, though hydrocortizone will do for most things that Benadryl cream will.
You might want to add Benadryl tablets if you have a serious allergic reaction, unless you have an epipen. Not breathing sucks.
A straight razor blade is priceless too. Much easier to cut flesh with in case...and probably sharper and cleaner than your knife.
And a cheap sewing kit for sewing things up. On you.
And No Doze. Obvious reasons. Shock makes you tired, and if'n you gotta hoof it out, ya' gotta be awake.
Steri Stips or butterfly closures to save ye from stitching. Steri Srips work better IMO.
an energy bar like a Clif Bar or a plain ol' candy bar. Carb energy after shock is helpful.
And Moleskine. Priceless for blisters.

May make your first aid kit a little bigger, but a tiny kit without the best stuff is not gonna work as well.

AND BANDAIDS!! If nothing else, the waterproof ones because they completely seal around the wound, aka keeping it clean.
Otherwise, buy opsite. Amazing stuff with multiple uses. It's the stuff surgeons use, well, on operation sites to keep them sterile.

Darn good recommendations. :thumbup:

 

[NeedItCheaper]

Superglue instead of liquid bandage, only because it hasd more uses, including fire starting.

I can fit both

A straight razor blade is priceless too. Much easier to cut flesh with in case...and probably sharper and cleaner than your knife.

No, my knife really is tested sharper than a freshly bought razor blade, it's also more rust resistant(again tested)

And a cheap sewing kit for sewing things up. On you.

I have such a kit already for my clothes. Is it bad for wounds to sow with polyester thread?

And No Doze. Obvious reasons. Shock makes you tired, and if'n you gotta hoof it out, ya' gotta be awake.

This is a very helpful post. I actually have experienced shock when I injuried myself outdoors. I had a semi major wound with bone sticking out while camping. Pure adrenaline kept me going for 30minutes while I walked to help(glad I wasn't too far out). As soon as a sat down I went into shock and almost passed out.

Though...... would Ammonia Inhalant be better?