Sulpha powder?

B

bladefoolish

Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
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I've been considering adding some sulpha powder to my first aid kid. Does anyone else include this; is is good idea; and if so, where would be a good place to purchase it?

Thanks.
 
I would like to know as well where i can find it... Worked great for me when i had it.

Sasha
 
I saw on line they sell it for preventing disease in fish tanks. I don't know why this wouldn't work for first aid, but maybe someone here has more information on the subject than I do.
 
My family used to buy Flower of Sulfur at the pharmacy. It came in a powder form. We used it to prevent red bugs and it was very effective for this. I know it has other uses, but I have not used it for anything else.

VV
Clark
 
villainvomit said:
My family used to buy Flower of Sulfur at the pharmacy.
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If you are going to be self-medicating, be aware that Sulfur or "Flower of Sulfur" is not the same thing as Sulfa! "Sulfa" is a family of complex organic antibiotic drugs that contain Sulfonamide. Elemental sulfur is not a substitute.

AFAIK, pharmacutical grade sulfa would only be available by perscription and personally I am not sure I would chance using pet-store sulfa as there are many different kinds of sulfa and I don't know if what I would get is compatable with humans. ;)
 
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not sure where you'd get a reliable source, but given that sulpha drugs aren't used in some places, you might not know if a buddy had a pre-existing alergy.. something to keep in mind
 
In northern New Mexico my grandfather would mix yellow sulfur powder with molasses and eat it. He said it was his tonic. I have bought sulfur at the pharmacy in the past in a can loose. Put it in a sock and powder myself for chiggers.
 
sulfur, as in the yellow powder is commonly available at farm supply stores as sulfur oxides are very good at killing bugs. I'v heard of using sulfur smoke to kill mites on chickens. sulfur is a component in many old timey and alchemical mixtures iirc.

that said, I'd recommend against using sulfur on open wounds as an anti-biotic. I'd assume it would hurt. lots..
 
Your basic triple antibiotic ointment would be more effective in preventing infection out in the woods, along with a thorough cleansing of the wound.
 
Just a note...for some meds like antibiotics...penicillin, sulfonamide powder, and some other meds you need look no further than your local farm stores. They sell many of these in bulk and the quality is very high. Of course you need some background in medicine to be able to correctly use them but it isn't rocket science and a usable dosage chart for the meds you have should be kept with them.

If you do add meds to your kit make sure you are aware of some of the side effects, with Sulfonamide for example you have to keep the patient well hydrated or severe kidney damage can occur. And of course there can be adverse reactions to many drugs. I would actively recruit a Doctor into joining your group or if that is not possible an EMT or nurse. Always good to have a medic on hand in emergencies.
 
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zenheretic said:
Your basic triple antibiotic ointment would be more effective in preventing infection out in the woods, along with a thorough cleansing of the wound.
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And you can rub it on cotton balls for a firestarter tinder instead of PJ as I learned here awhile back
 
Loosearrow said:
And you can rub it on cotton balls for a firestarter tinder instead of PJ as I learned here awhile back
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I'm certainly no expert on woodscraft, but anything that can do two or more jobs is a plus in my book.

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I just checked and these days in the US, straight sulfur is used only as a topical for dandruff and acne in the form of shampoo and soap respectively. I only mention this as the topic of straight sulfur was mentioned previously.

Sulfonamides are only bacteriostatic, which is the weakest form of antibiotic, better than nothing but certainly not worth the effort if you can get something better.
 
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