DIY

DIY first aid

It’s the height of summer, and many of us are spending a lot of time outside. Outdoor adventures increase the likelihood of cuts, bruises, and bug bites. Here are some items you’ll want to have on hand to deal with bumps and scrapes, bites, stings, and sun protection quickly and easily, so you can back to the fun!

Begin with the basics

Having easy access to basic first aid supplies is key, whether you’re on the road or at home. Here are some items to put in your kit: Latex-free gloves Saline wound wash Sterile bandages in a variety of sizes Nonstick, sterile gauze rolls and pads, and adhesive tape to secure them Tweezers and scissors Instant cold packs Thermometer

Topical treatments

Herbal remedies are another helpful addition to your first aid kit. Consider these natural options to deal with a range of ailments: ✚ Peppermint essential oil can ease headaches and muscle pain when used topically—always dilute in a carrier oil first. ✚ Aloe vera gel is an all-purpose healing agent. It can soothe and repair a range of skin ailments including blisters, burns, insect bites and stings, rashes, and sunburn. ✚ Witch hazel can be applied topically to disinfect cuts and scrapes. ✚ Tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar can soothe itchy insect bites and stings. ✚ Ginger is known for its ability to calm nausea. Fresh ginger works best, but for a first aid kit it might be better to have tea, tincture, or real ginger candy on hand.

Sun safety

They say prevention is the best medicine, and that’s certainly true when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Here’s what you need to know about staying safe in the sun: ✹ Broad-spectrum sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sun protection factor (SPF) determines a sunscreen’s protection against UVB rays, but values greater than 50+ can fool people into thinking they can spend more time in the sun, which may lead to skin damage. ✹ Zinc oxide, which helps deflect the sun’s rays, offers an alternative to chemical sunscreens. Be sure to choose a formulation free of nanoparticles that can damage marine life and may pass through skin into the bloodstream in humans. ✹ Keep skin covered, whenever possible, by wearing shirts with long sleeves, pants, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to get the most protection from UV rays. ●

SELECTED SOURCES The Backyard Herbal Apothecary by Devon Young ($21.99, Page Street, 2019) • Body Into Balance by Maria Noël Groves ($24.95, Storey, 2016) • “Bruises,” 11/15/21; “First aid tips,” 12/7/20; “How to treat minor cuts and scrapes,” 11/29/21, www.WebMD.com • “Cuts and scrapes: First aid,” 11/17/21; “First-aid kits: Stock supplies that can save lives,” 7/14/20, www.MayoClinic.org • “Eight little-known facts

about sunscreens”; “Skin cancer on the rise,”

Environmental Working Group, www.EWG.org • “On-the-go herbal first-aid kit for camping, hiking, or anywhere” by Christina Anthis, www. HerbalAcademy.com • Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar ($14.95, Storey, 2012)

Broad-spectrum sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Sun protection factor (SPF) determines a sunscreen’s protection against UVB rays, but values greater than 50+ can fool people into thinking they can spend more time in the sun, which may lead to skin damage.

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