Aid Tools

Apart from the described medications and many others, pharmahouses also offer first aid supplies such as bandages, dressings, medical tapes, antiseptic wound wipes, as well as syringes and needles. Moreover, there can also be found other useful products matching customers’ needs in certain situations, including a variety of insect protection repellents, anti-snoring devices, compression stockings, and insoles for flat free pain. They could be obtained by anyone and help resolve serious or not so serious but annoying problems (they can act against irritants or eliminate the feeling of discomfort). Here is some more information about each of these products.

  • Bandages

    Bandages are a very important addition to every first aid kit and can be found in every pharmahouse. They are pieces of material used to provide support, bind or wrap a wound, or restrict the movement of a part of the body. There are a few types of bandages that are extremely useful in many different situations. Some bandages are used with and others without a dressing. They are all aimed to relieve pain and make the injured patient feel more comfortable. The most common types include gauze roller bandages, compression bandages, triangular bandages, and tube bandages.

  • Dressings

    Dressings are used to help wounds heal and prevent infections or any other further complications. There is a wide variety of dressings and which one is the most effective depends on the type and the seriousness of the injury and other related factors such as its size and location. In order to be able to make the best choice, it is important to be aware of the different dressings available at pharmahouses. Some of the dressings that are believed to lead to optimal healing include hydrocolloid, hydrogel, alginate, and collagen.

  • Medical tapes

    Medical tapes are materials needed to secure wound dressings, bandages or other devices. They are available in rolls of various widths or pre-cut strips and can be waterproof, breathable; some of them contain an ingredient that helps protect skin. Medical tapes usually have a hypoallergenic adhesive that holds firmly onto skin, dressings, and can be removed easily without damaging the skin. There are many different types of medical tapes included in first aid kits, but not everyone is aware of the difference between them and their uses. The ability to differentiate these wound care products and to find the right type to use according to the situation gets people on the road to recovery. Pharmahouses currently offer micropore paper tape, transpore polyethylene tape, and zinc oxide tape.

  • Antiseptic wound wipes

    Antiseptic wound wipes are an invaluable addition to every first aid kit. They are the safest solution to clean a wound and prevent infection. Antiseptic wipes are much needed in people’s everyday life, as they are perfect in the cases of cuts, abrasions, and punctures. They are sting free and hygienic, as they are the first item used to clean the affected area before applying dressing or bandage. The compounds which antiseptic wipes contain combat bacteria and are an indispensable part of the beginning of the healing process. There are various types of antiseptic wound wipes. For example, providone-iodine prep pads (PVP) and antiseptic towelettes are sold in every pharmahouse.

  • Syringes and needles

    Syringe can be described as a long plastic body with a needle sticking out of it, used to inject fluid into, or withdraw fluid from the body. Many people need syringes in their everyday life to treat a medical condition. It is vital for injection drug users to have access to sterile syringes, as sharing needles has increased the risk of acquiring HIV, hepatitis, or other devastating infectious diseases. Fortunately, the sale of syringes at pharmahouses has been legalized in many countries now, and therefore safe syringes have become easily accessible and more affordable. In order to be able to use these small medical devices for a prescription medicine, it is necessary to know how they work and most importantly be aware of the varieties available. Different syringes and needles have been designed for different purposes. Syringe selections depends on the volume of medication to be injected into the body and the desired pressure flow. Volumes are normally measured in centimeters (cc) or milliliters (mL). Needles are classified according to their thickness and length. Short needles are less painful and usually used to inject a fluid underneath the skin, whereas long needles are the better option for an intramuscular injection. The most popularized syringes are luer lock tip syringes and slip tip syringes.

  • Insect repellents provide protection against insect bites

    Mosquitoes and other insects have always been seen as tiny monsters having the power to ruin one’s holiday or outdoor activity. Apart from being annoying and causing unpleasant symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching, insect stings can pose more serious threats. Some of them might carry and transmit diseases which there is no vaccine for and could lead to long-term complications. The list of the types of infections which insect stings can lead to includes West Nile virus (transmitted by mosquitos), La Crosse encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, malaria (also called paludism), Lyme disease (spread through tick bites), and dengue fever. The best protection for people against mosquitos, biting flies, chiggers, and ticks is to repeatedly apply insect repellent during their holiday or before doing outdoor activities that put them at risk. Insect repellents are available at pharmahouses in a wide variety of forms and concentrations. Aerosol and pump-spray products are not only used for skin applications, but also for treating clothing. Liquids, creams, lotions, and sprays are directly applied to the skin. The choice of an appropriate product should be made according to the level of exposure to insects. The active ingredients of some of the top-performing products are DEET, picaridin (icaridin), and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

  • Anti-snoring devices

    Snoring is most often not a serious health issue, but it can turn into a relationship problem between snorers and their sleep-deprived partners. During sleep the muscles in the soft palate, throat and tongue relax. Some people’s muscles relax too much, leading to loosening of the tissues in the throat which sag and partially obstruct the airway. The reduced breathing space causes these relaxed loosened tissues to vibrate and this is how the harsh and buzzing sound of snoring occurs. Other reasons for snoring might be an obstruction which is a result of nasal deformity, enlarged tonsils, or nasal congestion due to allergies or polyps. They require a medical examination and taking certain measures. Fortunately, there are different methods to deal with snoring, and restore the peace and calmness, which do not necessarily include sleeping in separate bedrooms. They depend on the reason for snoring and how bad it is. Pharmahouses offer various modern anti-snoring devices that can help alleviate snoring right away. Two of the top best and most commonly used anti-snoring devices are Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) and Tongue Retaining Devices (TRD).

  • Compression stockings

    Compression stockings are elastic hosiery worn around the leg. One of the functions of the heart is to pump blood against gravity up to veins and legs. The regular contraction and relaxation of calf muscles around the veins is very important, as it helps blood move back to the heart. Some people have a weakness of vein walls or valves which complicates venous circulation and causes leg swelling, achiness, and leg fatigue. Compression stockings are designed to reduce venous pressure by supporting the veins and increasing circulation. In other words, wearing compression stockings prevents circulatory problems, cramped conditions, and more particularly the occurrence or further progression of diseases such as edema, phlebitis, and thrombosis. They improve blood flow and thus positively influence the work of valves and relieve pain. This product is not only used by people at risk or with medical conditions, but also by athletes, flight attendants, nurses, pregnant women, and others. They are most effective when put on in the morning and removed at bed time. Different compression stockings differ in the quality of fabrics, their sizes and levels of compression. There are knee-high, thigh-high stockings, and tights. Moreover, there are compression sleeves which cover just the tube part without the feet. The most appropriate type depends on the reason for wearing them. Patients who need to wear compression stockings due to a medical condition are instructed by their health provider.

  • Insoles for foot problems

    Insoles, also known as footbeds, are offered by pharmahouses as a solution for any feet-related problems. They are pieces of material that are inserted into the shoes and attached to the upper side for a more comfortable fit and to provide support to exhausted feet. There are a few different materials which insoles are made of including foam, leather, and gel. Different insoles have different prices and satisfy different needs. Everyone’s feet are different which makes it difficult to always find the perfect pair of shoes. Apart from decreasing the size of a shoe that is slightly bigger, insoles also positively affect odor and moisture, absorb shock, and prevent blisters. There are more specialized types of insoles, referred to as orthotics or orthotic insoles, that can help those with more serious feet and posture problems. Orthotics relieve arch pain, heel pain, and pain in the ball of the foot and are a good option for people with plantar fasciitis and achilles tendonitis. One way to deal with the pain and aches for the admirers of high heels is to insert a foot cushion or metatarsal pad which reduces the pressure on metatarsal bones. Some insoles are available over the counter, while others require a prescription by a podiatrist. If wearing this product in their everyday life, it is advisable for users to wash insoles every once in a while or at least take them out and let them breath out and dry from the moisture.