FIRST AID
Find out what to do in case of minor accidents – and how to treat and heal minor wounds as fast and efficiently as possible.

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First Aid - first measures

Accidents can happen, and when they do it's important to keep it cool. Not everyone is accustomed to seeing blood, and sometimes even something harmless such as cutting vegetables in the kitchen can lead to a deep cut that will bleed profusely. Knowing how to react and having a well-stocked First Aid kit at home and in your car will help you to be prepared.

YOU CAN‘T PREVENT ACCIDENTS,
BUT YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD
FIRST AID KIT AT HAND

Do you have a well-stocked first aid kit?

8 golden rules of First Aid

  1. Stay calm.

  2. Check whether your surroundings are safe. Do not put yourself or the injured person at risk.

  3. Decide if you or the injured person needs medical aid; ask for advice if not sure.
  4. Reassure the injured person. Keep them warm if they are severely injured and under shock. Stay with the injured person, keep them comfortable and do not move them if you suspect an injury to the back or neck. Call for medical help in that case.
  5. Provide the medical experts with as much information about the accident and symptoms as you can. Also share whatever you know about allergies, blood group, vaccinations or medical condition of the person (e.g. whether or not they are on medication).

  6. Make sure you wash your hands before applying plasters or dressings or wear disposable surgical gloves – this will minimize the risk of infection.

  7. Clean the wound carefully, wiping away any dirt and grit.
    Use a clean cotton cloth sprayed with disinfectant or rinse with cold water, then pat the area dry before applying a clean dressing.
    Important: Do not remove embedded objects, leave that to medical staff.

  8. Keep your First Aid kit up to date. Do not forget to replace any items you use from your First Aid kit and check expiry dates regularly. Check the Elastoplast selection to find inspiration.

When do I need to seek medical advice?

Most minor cuts and grazes can be treated effectively with a First Aid kit (see TREATMENT). But how do you know if an injury needs closer attention?

We recommend to contact a medical professional under the following circumstances:

  • If the wound is deep and causes major bleeding.
  • If the wound shows signs of infection such as redness, warmth, pain and swelling.
  • If there foreign objects are embedded in your wound.
  • In case of an animal or human bite or in case of contact with animal blood.
  • If the wound is in the area of the face.
  • If there is insufficient tetanus vaccination
    and of course any time you have questions or are uncertain.
Recommendation: Also, seek medical advice in case of breathing problems, unconsciousness, a deep wound with major blood loss, a severe burn, a suspected fracture or broken bone, a suspected heart attack, a severe allergic reaction, a shock or any condition which turns rapidly worse.
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TREATMENT

The golden rule for minor wounds:

Wash your hands and check if your wound needs cleaning too. If small objects are embedded (sand, glass etc.) remove with a dry clean cloth or rinse under water.

Usually it is recommended to disinfect the graze or abrasion.
Now choose the right plaster: Elastoplast offers a wide range of adhesive bandages for every need, in every size, shape and texture – invisible or extra durable.

Expert Tip - Why wound dressing?

Even if an accident always happens out of the blue, you should take your time to dress the wound instead of keeping it uncovered. Why? Because this will create ideal conditions for undisturbed healing of your skin.

“In every wound the protective function of the skin is impaired. The objective of wound dressings is not only to protect the wound, but also to create conditions in which healing of the skin can proceed as undisturbed as possible, so that the skin’s healthy structure can be restored.

“A PLASTER WILL PROTECT YOUR
WOUND AND IMPROVE
THE HEALING PROCESS
OF YOUR SKIN.”

When treating minor everyday injuries standard First Aid dressings and plasters...

• Protect your wound from external influences and prevent contamination as well as infection.
• Ensure absorption of blood and secretion.
• Improve your comfort by reducing pain and mechanical trauma to a minimum during dressing removal.“

Find out what moist wound healing plasters can do to ensure faster and more beautiful healing here.

Dr. Rainer Wolber, Research & Development, Beiersdorf AG
All the functions of a plaster © Elastoplast
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SOLUTIONS

First choice for first aid: Some products that might help

Finding the right wound dressing has never been so easy: Just rely on these Elastoplast products that should be in every First Aid kit.

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PREVENTION

It’s not easy to prevent minor wounds and scrapes. Trip over a curb, mishandle a dull kitchen knife, and before you know it you‘re bleeding – and wondering if that's going to become a scar.
A wound doesn‘t even need to be deep or severe to leave a scar.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to prevent some scars and reduce others. Follow this advice and you may have a tale to tell about your mishap – but without the scar to prove it.

The best scar prevention: good wound care

The best way to prevent an unsightly scar or reduce its appearance is to do a good job caring for the wound. Use these two steps:

  1. 1. Clean out a recent cut or scrape properly. Proper cleansing helps prevent infection and promotes the best possible healing. Remove with a dry clean cloth or rinse under water. Do not use irritants such as harsh soaps to clean your wounds. In fact, these substances can actually delay healing. Additional disinfection may be recommended.

  2. 2. Keep it covered. Keeping your wound covered with a wound dressing will enable undisturbed healing. A plaster protects the wound by preventing bacteria or dirt from entering and irritating it. Choosing the proper plaster will help speed up the healing process by up to 50%* and help reduce the appearance of scars (also see: 5 good reasons for moist wound healing).

    *Agren MS et al. Occlusion versus air exposure on full-thickness biopsy wounds.
    Journal of Wound Care; 2001, Vol.10, No. 8: 301-304

Do not pick at scabs. Right after you suffer from a cut or scrape your body starts healing the wound. White blood cells attack infection-causing bacteria. Red blood cells and platelets create a clot over your wound. And in no time, a scab forms. If you pick off the scab, you may not only reopen the wound and open the door for bacteria, you could also create a larger scar.
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Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
 
In case you have diabetes proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
 
Please note that none of the tips or recommendations mentioned above substitute medical advice. Carefully read the directions on our product packages. Important: Consult a medical professional in case of any uncertainity of treating your wound properly.
 
The information provided on this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via e-mail at consumerrelations@bdfcdn.com.