Methylated spirit and first aid

-
It is like a tradition to have a bottle of methylated spirit in a first aid box, but do we know what it's purpose is?

If we took a poll on what we use it for during first aid care, a lot of us would probably mention that it's primary use is for wound treatment. 

Nahhhhhh

The facts:
Methylated spirit is great for killing germs and bacteria, hence it is a disinfectant. However it isn't a choice disinfectant for wounds.

It can be used as a disinfectant for unbroken skin e.g. to disinfect the skin before an injection or before a surgery.

If it is applied to a wound it would kill bacteria, but could slow down the healing process as it kills the new cells the body needs to help in healing. 

Methylated spirit can be used to sterilize first aid tools (scissors, tweezers, etc.) and surfaces that might have been contaminated during first aid care.

Don't abuse methylated spirit any longer, use it correctly 👍

#MethylatedSpirit
#MethylatedSpiritUseInFirstAid
#FirstAidCare
#FirstAid
#FirstAidSavesLives
#TheFABS 
#TheFirstAidBoxShop 
#BeFABulouS

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHILD SAFETY: OUR HOMES HAVE MORE POISONOUS SUBSTANCES THAN WE REALIZE

-
Image
Source: Max Pixel I had a friend who told me how her last child mistakenly drank Dettol liquid. She immediately went into panic mode (as you would expect of a mother). She had to ensure her child drank some palm oil to neutralize any possible effect(African first aid,lol). But what is the best way to handle such unexpected events. You first have to understand that children knowledgeable enough to distinguish between what is actually healthy and harmful. They copy what adults do yet not knowing the reason we do them or where to draw the line when taking seemingly risky acts. Remember the scene in Home Alone 1, where Macaulay Culkin's character (Kelvin) used his father's shaving cream. He screamed because of the sensation he felt. He (Kelvin) didn't understand that the actual use of the shaving foam. He just wanted to behave like his dad. Without proper supervision, a  child can pick up any liquid and ingest it. What poisons are in our homes that can be harmful t
Read more

THE TICKING TIME BOMB; HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE HEALTH RISKS OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES?

-
Image
Blood transfusion is usually required to save women with ruptured ectopic pregnancy from shock due to massive internal bleeding. Courtesy wikimedia commons. An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy in which a fertilized egg also known as the  embryo , attaches itself into any other parts of the female genital tract or the abdomen other than the  endometrium  or the inner  lining of the  uterus. While they can be divided into various types, based on location of the ectopic pregnancy in the female genital tract, see  DEFINITION AND TYPES OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES ,  they can also be divided based on presentation at the hospital into ruptured, non ruptured and slow leaking ectopic pregnancies.  Most of the complications of ectopic pregnancies are seen following an unsuspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy.  A ruptured ectopic pregnancy refers to  an ectopic pregnancy that has outstretched its confining structures resulting in a significant tear followed by sudden and massive bleedin
Read more

What's the function of cotton buds in your first aid kit/box?

-
Image
If you own a standard first aid kit/box, you are most definitely going to find some cotton buds in them. No, their inclusion in your first aid kit/box isn't to help apply or take off your make up😝 No, they're not there to "clean", poke or tickle your ears 🤦‍♀️. Putting stuff in your ears is a no-no, it poses the risk of damaging your eardrums  So what are they for? Cotton buds aka Q tips, cotton bud applicators, cotton tip applicators, cotton swabs in first aid kits/boxes are for 👇 1) cleansing wounds or area surrounding a wound 2) applying topical meds (burn cream, antiseptic ointment/solution etc.) 3) to pick out debris in the eye or wounds (in the absence of clean running water) So if you didn't know, now you know😁 It's not sufficient that you own a first aid kit/box, it's important that you know how to use it's contents. #CottonBuds #QTips #CottonTipApplicators #CottonBudApplicators #FirstAid #FirstAidKit ##FirstAidSavesLives #TheFA
Read more