First aid
First aid supplies, instructions and situations that need medical care.
Pick a guide below. Each one explains what to look for and how to use the product safely. It also says when to ask a doctor or other expert first. Sources are listed at the end of every guide.
Guides in this section
Hydrocolloid Bandages: What They Are and How to Use Them
How hydrocolloid bandages work, when to use them for blisters, minor cuts and pimples, how long to leave them on, and…
Hydrogen Peroxide: Uses, Safety and Which Strength to Buy
What 3% hydrogen peroxide is good for, why it is no longer advised for wounds, when it expires, the food grade danger…
Rubbing Alcohol: Uses, Strengths and Safety at Home
What rubbing alcohol is, how to compare strengths and labels, why ears need extra care, and safe household use, wound…
Tweezers: How to Choose a Pair for First Aid and Grooming
How to choose tweezers by tip shape: fine-point for ticks and splinters, slant for brows and chin hair, plus how to…
More guides
Adhesive Bandages: How to Use Them on Cuts and When to Change
Adhesive bandages explained: how to clean and cover a minor cut, when to skip a bandage, how often to change it, latex…
Antibiotic Ointment: Triple vs Double, How to Use It and Limits
Antibiotic ointment guide: Neosporin vs Polysporin vs bacitracin, how much to apply, the 1-week limit, when not to use…
Antiseptic Wipes: BZK vs Alcohol vs Iodine and How to Use Them
Antiseptic wipes compared: benzalkonium chloride towelettes, 70% alcohol prep pads and povidone-iodine pads, what…
Burn Gel: Lidocaine for Minor Burns, How to Use It and Limits
Burn gel guide: what 2% and 4% lidocaine burn gels do, cooling first, how often to apply, where not to use it, and…
Eye Wash: How to Use It, Eye Cup Tips and When to Get Help
Eye wash guide: what sterile eyewash does, using a bottle or eye cup, flushing a chemical splash for 15 minutes…
First Aid Kit: What to Put in One, Per the Red Cross Checklist
First aid kit guide: the American Red Cross checklist for a family of four, where to keep kits, what to add, and how to…
Liquid Bandage: How It Works, How to Apply It and When Not To
Liquid bandage guide: what New-Skin and Bactine liquid bandages contain, how to apply and remove them, why they sting…
Travel First Aid Kit: What to Pack, Per the CDC's Checklist
Travel first aid kit guide: CDC's travel health kit list of medicines, supplies and documents, plus TSA rules for…
Butterfly Closures and Steri-Strips: How to Use Them Safely
Butterfly closures and wound closure strips explained: when a cut needs stitches instead, how to apply strips without…
CPR Face Shield: Breathing Barriers, One-Way Valves and Use
CPR face shield guide: what a breathing barrier with a one-way valve does, Red Cross CPR steps with breaths, hands only…
Disposable Gloves: Nitrile vs Latex vs Vinyl and Safe Removal
Disposable gloves guide: nitrile, latex and vinyl, why powdered gloves were banned, latex allergy, CDC steps for…
Emergency Blanket: How Mylar Space Blankets Work and When to Use
Emergency blanket guide: how reflective space blankets and bivvies hold body heat, CDC hypothermia signs and warming…
Gauze Pads: Sterile vs Non-Sterile, Non-Stick Pads and Rolls
Gauze pads explained: sterile vs non-sterile, woven vs non-woven, non-stick pads like Telfa, rolled gauze, sizes for a…
Medical Tape: Paper, Cloth, Clear or Silicone, and Gentle Removal
Medical tape guide: paper vs cloth vs clear plastic vs silicone tape, how to apply it without blisters, how to remove…
SAM Splint: How a Moldable First Aid Splint Works and Sizes
SAM splint guide: how a moldable splint gains strength from curves, 4 to 36 inch sizes, MedlinePlus splinting steps…
Snake Bite Kit: Why the CDC Says Skip Suction, and What to Carry
Snake bite kits explained: why the CDC says not to suck out venom, cut or use a tourniquet, the first aid steps that…
Tourniquet: When to Use One and How to Apply It Correctly
Tourniquet guide: when severe limb bleeding needs one, placing it 2 to 3 inches above the wound, tightening the…
Waterproof Bandages: Swimming, Showers and Covering a Wound
Waterproof bandages explained: how the seal works, CDC advice on swimming with a cut, saltwater and Vibrio risk…
Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Doses, the 4,000 mg Limit and Safety
Acetaminophen explained from FDA guidance and Tylenol labels: 325 mg vs 500 mg doses, the 4,000 mg daily limit, hidden…
Capsaicin Cream: 0.025% vs 0.1%, the Burn and How to Use It
Capsaicin cream explained from Zostrix and Capzasin HP labels: 0.025% vs 0.1%, why it burns, 3 to 4 times daily, 2 to 4…
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Dosing, Warnings and Who Should Avoid
Ibuprofen explained from Advil and Motrin labels: 200 mg dosing, the 6-per-day limit, stomach bleeding and heart…
Naproxen (Aleve): 12-Hour Dosing, Limits and NSAID Warnings
Naproxen sodium explained from Aleve and store-brand labels: 220 mg every 8 to 12 hours, the 3-per-day limit, stomach…
Voltaren Gel (Diclofenac 1%): How to Use It for Arthritis Pain
Voltaren and generic diclofenac 1% gel explained from labels: arthritis pain only, the dosing card, 4 times daily, up…
Excedrin Migraine vs Advil Migraine: OTC Migraine Relief
OTC migraine relief compared from labels: Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine) vs Advil Migraine, the…