The Complete Guide to Putting Together a First Aid Kit for College Students

First Aid Kit for College Students

You’ve probably seen a first-aid kit in your parents’ car, a public building, or a movie theater. Surprisingly, other than Band-Aids, very few people know much about its contents. Essayleague.com professionals are here to tell you that in stressful situations, you need to know how to use that first aid kit!

The following article discusses:

What is contained in a college first aid pack and why is it necessary?
how to apply it

You’ll learn how to design the box, what first aid equipment to include, and which medications to add for any health conditions.

How to Pack a First Aid Kit

If you’re unsure how to pack a college emergency kit, we’ve got some excellent advice.

1. A water and impact-resistant bag is the best format for your stuff. It does not have to be a costly one. A make-up case, for example, might suffice.
2. Plastic bags can be used to sort the goods. Sort them by purpose: bandages, pain relievers, cold and cough medicines, and so on.
3. Check the expiration dates of the medicinal supplies every couple of months.
4. Ensure that the emergency kit contains all of the product instructions. You can also make a quick list of drugs using a table with four columns: medicine name, indications, contraindications, and dosage. It takes time to set up this chart, but once you do, the list is invaluable.
5. Always keep the following documents in the emergency kit:
Your doctor’s contact information Your health insurance information (phone number, policy number, and a copy of your insurance card) Contact information for your Campus Health Service
Emergency contact information (parents’, friends’, or relatives’ phone numbers) First-aid handbook Your personal medical information (blood type, list of regularly taken medicines, drug intolerances, allergies, medical conditions, etc.)

First Aid Equipment

Some things may appear insignificant until an emergency arises. One of these items is your university survival kit. It’s your financial insurance against things that may or may not occur. The following is a list of items that should be included in each home or dorm first aid kit.

1. Thermometer with digital display
2. Two disposable masks, which are vital during the COVID-19 epidemic but can also be utilized in the event of a disaster if there is dust in the air. 3. Disposable medical gloves for cleaning up bodily fluids or blood.
4. Hand sanitizer to be used before to and following the administration of first aid
5. Instant ice packs for bruising and bug bites
6. Medical scissors with a curved blade for cutting dressings and sticky tape
7. Hydrogen peroxide, the all-purpose disinfectant
8. Wipes antiseptic for filthy hands and wounds
9. Numerous sticky bandages in a variety of sizes, including butterfly-shaped ones for securing a large wound.
10. Cotton balls for peroxide application and wound cleaning

Medications: First Aid Kit for College Students

• Sunscreen • Wound & Sunburn Treatment If you prefer to work in the park, sunburns can be your worst enemy. Even if you find a shady spot beneath a tree, some UV light will pass through its leaves. A few hours is all it takes to develop sunburned skin on your face and shoulders. Sunscreen shields you from some UV rays. Every 2-3 hours, reapply a new layer.
• Lotion or spray for sunburn relief. These lotions provide cooling and soothing relief for sunburned skin. Avoid thick ointments, which retain heat and prevent the skin from cooling. It is preferable to utilize aloe vera-based products because of their calming properties. If your skin is reddish but not aching, go ahead and apply a pain reliever, as discomfort may occur later. Here are some examples of products:
Solarcaine Cool Aloe Burn Relief Spray Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion Burt’s Bees Cream After-Sun Soother with Aloe and Coconut Oil
• Ointment antiseptic. This should be applied to wounds prior to dressing them. These antiseptic creams can be used to treat burns, cuts, scrapes, and scalds. Polysporine, Betadine, Povidone-Iodine ointment, and Panthenol are a few examples. Please read the instructions on the product before applying it to open wounds.

Aches & Pains Treatment

• The best treatment for swelling and discomfort following sports injuries is ibuprofen (Advil, Dolormin, Motrin). Ibuprofen suppresses the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are released by our bodies in reaction to injuries and illnesses. These drugs are effective for a variety of conditions, including headaches, menstrual cramps, tooth pain, muscle aches, and arthritis.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Sudafed) and paracetamol (Tylenol) are used to treat pain and fevers. They significantly reduce the intensity of pain signals traveling to the brain. Additionally, they inhibit the release of chemicals (such as prostaglandins) that cause us to experience pain and elevate our body temperature. At prescribed levels, the medication is well tolerated and is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever.
• Ketorolac (Toradol) is used to treat moderately severe pain, such as toothaches or pain following surgery. Because it is a stronger analgesic than Ibuprofen or Paracetamol, it should not be used for minor or persistent pain. Additionally, it acts quickly; 15 minutes after ingestion, pain begins to subside, and the impact lasts up to 6 hours. Due to the potential for negative effects, you should not take it for an extended period of time.

Cold & Cough Treatment: First Aid Kit for College Students

• While pain relievers (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) were mentioned previously, they are also beneficial against fever and cold symptoms. Prostaglandins signal the brain that something is amiss with the body, and the brain responds by increasing the body’s temperature. Fever reducers inhibit the release of these chemicals, preventing the brain from boosting the body temperature.
• A nasal spray is a liquid medication that you administer to your nasal passages if they are running or obstructed. All nasal sprays for colds can be classified into two categories:
Saline sprays (Simply Saline, Walgreens) are salt-water solutions that aid in mucus clearance and congestion prevention. These sprays are non-medicinal. Utilize them as frequently as necessary.
Decongestants (Vicks Sinex, Afrin) restore normal breathing to a clogged nose. Congestion is caused by dilated blood vessels in the nose. These sprays constrict blood vessels, which alleviates inflammation and swelling. Utilize them strictly in accordance with the directions.
• A cough/cold combo product (Delsym, FluTuss XP) reduces coughs associated with hay fever, the common cold, or influenza. This medication is not effective in treating chronic coughs caused by smoking, emphysema, or asthma. The medicine comprises multiple active ingredients, such as an analgesic, a decongestant, and an antihistamine. Always read the drug’s formula to see whether it will work for your symptoms.

Allergy Treatment

Anti-itch lotion (Sarna, Cerave) is a topical therapy for dry, itchy skin that works quickly. It treats itching caused by insect bites, sunburn, sumac, or poison ivy by soothing, moisturizing, and soothing. Temporary relief is provided by the lotion, which contains an antihistamine medication.
Antihistamine tablets (Allegra, Claritin) relieve allergy symptoms by inhibiting histamine’s action (a substance involved in the local immune response to allergens). You should visit a physician to obtain the tablets that are most effective for you, as each allergy is unique. The current generation of antihistamine tablets has fewer adverse effects. You should only take one pill per day.

Digestive Disorders Treatment

By neutralizing the acid in your stomach, antacids (Maalox, Tums) alleviate heartburn or indigestion. For the majority of people, over-the-counter alternatives are safe, but you should strictly adhere to the dose instructions.

Antidiarrheal medicine (Imodium, Kaopectate) is used to treat diarrhea caused by contaminated food and water or other reasons. It slows the motility of the intestines and reduces the frequency of bowel movements. However, if diarrhea persists longer than a day or if the stool contains blood, you should see a doctor.

Personal Items

Keep a sufficient quantity of the medications you take on a regular basis. If you suffer from asthma, chronic migraines, or diabetes, we’re sure you’re familiar with the list of required medications. Unfortunately, in an emergency, you may not be able to get to the pharmacy to get them. The easiest approach to prepare for such situations is to stock your first aid box with everything you need.

Useful Tips: First Aid Kit for College Students

Now that you are aware of the most common methods for treating common health conditions, you may like to attempt self-medication. This way, you may receive relief from minor aches and pains. However, in some instances, the following advice can help you avoid health deterioration and extensive, costly treatment.

1. Always adhere to the directions. Before taking any drug, carefully read the directions. Take note of any contraindications or adverse effects.
2. Never combine medications and alcohol. Separately, these two substances should be eaten.
3. Antibiotics should not be used unless prescribed. Numerous people take antibiotics for a variety of ailments. However, they should never be used without first visiting a physician. Antibiotics are effective in a limited number of situations and have a plethora of negative effects.
4. Exercise caution. If you have any of the following: a fainting spell (even a brief one), a bone fracture, eye or ear damage, suspected spinal injury, deep open wounds, or suspected COVID, you will require more than your first aid pack.

If you experience symptoms on a daily basis, you may have a chronic condition. Even if the discomfort does not impair your daily activities, persistent symptoms may indicate a more significant health concern. Consult a physician to obtain a comprehensive treatment plan.
We hope that after reading this post, you feel completely prepared to defend yourself against sunburns, wounds, pains, colds, and allergies. The best course of action at this point is to replenish your college first aid kit with the items suggested previously. If you are aware of any medications that we have overlooked, please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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