Essential items for first aid on-the-go

·Branded Content Editor

Updated 8 January 2018 at 1:47 am·3-min read

Most parents understand the importance of having a well-stocked first aid kit at home. But childrenâ€™s accidents don't just happen within your four walls, making a portable kit an essential addition to any glove box.

Be prepared to treat minor emergencies on-the-go by kitting out your car with these top five first aid essentials.

1. Hydrocortisone cream
Skin irritations are a regular occurrence in children, with everything from insect bites to sun exposure potentially causing adverse reactions on their sensitive skin.

A hydrocortisone cream like DermAid is a must for any first aid kit, with the active ingredient working to quickly reduce the redness, swelling, itching and discomfort associated with common skin complaints.

DermAid is available in a convenient range of formulations, all proven to soothe the skin and provide fast, effective, temporary relief from minor irritations. These include sunburn, itchy rashes, insect bites, dermatitis, eczema, scalp irritations and skin reactions to jewellery.

DermAid 0.5% or 1% cream can be used by parents of children with eczema and psoriasis to help soothe the skin when it becomes inflamed, while Dermaid 0.5% or 1% soft cream is ideal for treating irritations on the face and in sensitive areas. A 1% spray is also available and is particularly effective when treating hairy areas of the body or soothing away the sting of sunburn, while the 1% solution can be massaged gently into the scalp to help reduce irritation.

Suitable for use on children from the age of two upwards, DermAid has been scientifically formulated and dermatologically tested to ensure it is gentle on the most sensitive skin.

2. Antiseptic wipes and hand sanitiser
Essential for cleaning wounds before you apply a dressing, antiseptic wipes provide a quick and convenient solution for removing dirt or blood from cuts and scratches. An antibacterial hand sanitiser, such as Aqium, allows the person treating the injury to thoroughly clean their hands before applying dressings or bandages. This reduces the risk of an infection developing.

3. Dressings and bandages
A first aid kit should contain both adhesive and non-adhesive dressings in a variety of shapes to provide a cover for open wounds, while cloth bandages in a range of sizes are useful to help secure dressings in place and provide support for injured limbs. Your kit should also include safety pins and surgical tape to allow you to properly secure the bandages.

4. Tweezers and scissors
A small, sharp pair of scissors is necessary for cutting dressings and bandages to size, while scissors designed with a blunt end are useful in ensuring patient safety if you need to cut away clothing to better expose an injured area for treatment.

A first aid kit should also contain a pair of tweezers, useful when trying to extract or pick up small objects. Flat tip tweezers with a slanted edge work best on splinters.

5. Painkillers and antihistamines
While medications should only be administered when absolutely necessary, especially in children, a first aid kit should contain basic pain relief options including paracetamol and aspirin, as well as an antihistamine. Ensure there is always a child-specific formulation available as adult medications should not be administered to children.

Disclaimer: Before adding DermAid to your first aid kit, ensure you seek advice on its use from a pharmacist.

Always read the labels of all medications and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, contact your healthcare professional.

First aid products such as DermAid, antiseptic wipes and painkillers should be stored below 25 degrees and may not work as intended if kept outside the recommended storage conditions. Please consider the fluctuating interior temperature of your car when considering storage options for your first aid kit.