First aid

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What is First Aid?

First aid is the treatment given to an injured or sick person after an accident or incident. Our pharmacists can give you the information you need on providing first aid care if ever an accident were to happen. We can also provide information on various products available in our pharmacies to stock your own kit and give instruction on how each product can be used effectively. Our advice includes:

How to use various dressings to treat numerous wound types
When to use different types of bandage e.g. crepe, roller, triangular, tubular
Treating minor cuts, grazes and burns
How to recognise signs of infection
Choosing the right thermometer and advice on readings
Stitch care and protection
Referral and signposting
The First Aid Kit

Always be aware of where your first aid kit is stored. It can be identified as a green or red box with a white cross. CPR training is also advisable as it saves lives on a daily basis!

A basic First Aid Kit should contain:

Sterile Gauze Dressings
Scissors
Sterile Gloves
Triangular and Crepe Bandages
Hand Sanitizer
Tweezers
Safety Pins
Alcohol Free Wipes and saline solution to wash wounds
Antiseptic cream or spray
Painkillers such as paracetamol
Eye wash
Thermometer
CPR mask
First Aid information pack

Non-Drug Advice

After certain injuries (like sprains, strains, cuts and grazes) we encourage patients to follow these guidelines for the first 48-72 hours to help speed up their recovery:

Follow PRICE

Protection – to avoid further injury
Rest – avoid activity for the first 48-72 hours
Ice – works as an anti-inflammatory and can be used for the first 48-72 hours after injury
Compression – elastic bandages help to reduce swelling
Elevation – support and elevate the injured area above heart level

Avoid any HARM

Heat – avoid hot baths, heat packs etc.
Alcohol – can increase swelling and bleeding
Running – or other forms or exercise
Massage – can increase swelling and bleeding

For further advice or information on our products please contact one of our Brennan’s Pharmacy branches…