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8 first aid kit essentials that aren’t bandages

Gauze, gloves and other must-haves to patch a wound, wrap a sprain and more.

First aid kit
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When emergencies arise, having a well-stocked first aid kit, kept in an easy-to-reach place, can help you spring into action at a moment's notice. Loaded with the right supplies, your emergency bag can help patch a scraped knee, wrap a sprained ankle and so much more.

Sure, you can purchase a ready-made kit from your local drugstore or buy one online, but building yourShow More

A person getting their knee wrapped in gauze
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Gauze

Sterile gauze is probably the most important item to keep in your kit, according to Hogan. The material is multi-use, and can help clean the area around a wound, be used to apply pressure to a bleed and be packed into a deep cut to help control bleeding.

Gauze is sold in many shapes and sizes,Show More

Pouring saline solution into medical kit
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Saline solution

This salt and water mixture comes in handy for more than dry eyes; it can be applied directly to a wound to help clear out dirt, or be used to help flush debris from eyes and other areas of the body. It can also be used with another first aid kit must-have: "Have a small amount of saline solutionShow More

Clean towels
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Clean towel or cloth

In an emergency, it can be tempting to reach for the nearest bit of absorbent material, but using a dirty rag can introduce bacteria into a wound. Instead, keep a clean and dry towel or cloth in your convenient kit. It can be saturated with water or sterile saline solution and used to clean anShow More

medical instruments
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Adhesive tape

Another drugstore steal is medical grade adhesive tape. In the event of a burn or scrape, medical tape can be used to adhere gauze to the skin, which can be especially helpful if you find yourself without traditional bandage, or a large patch of skin needs to be protected. In a pinch, medical tapeShow More

elastic bandage
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Elastic bandage

Elastic bandages compress a specific part of the body and stabilize an injury, like a strain or sprain. They're also reusable. An elastic bandage will do the trick until you can get your injury checked by a doctor, but there are other ways to help reduce pain and swelling, too, like rest, elevationShow More

Woman taking white pills with water
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Single-dose pain reliever packets

Pain relievers can ease joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches and backaches; they can also help reduce fevers. These drugs can be purchased inexpensively over the counter, often for less than five dollars a bottle. Some stores also sell single-Show More

Surgeon putting on latex gloves
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Rubber gloves

Bacteria live everywhere, including on your skin. Many are not harmful, until they find their way into your body—through open cuts or scrapes—and cause an infection. Some bacterial infections are mild, resulting in pain, redness or swelling; others can be life-threatening. Slipping on a pair ofShow More

First aid essentials for wounds
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Blunt-edge scissors

Depending on the type of injury, clothing may need to be cut away from the body. So, it helps to keep a pair of scissors handy. They're also useful for trimming bandages, gauze and medical tape.

Purchase a pair with blunt or rounded edges, Hogan recommends. First aid kits are designed to help inShow More

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