Helpful First Aid Hints

First aid for minor burns/scalds - Take off any restrictive clothes and items around the burned part of the body. To stop damage to the tissue under the skin, it is important to cool the burn for at least 20 minutes, to take the heat away from skin and reduce swelling. Use cold running water, may be under the shower, but do not use ice as it may further damage the skin. If unable to get under flowing water, immerse the burn in cold water or place cool, wet cloths on the burn area. If any blisters rise, don't break them as this makes them vulnerable to infection.

Apply Bepanthen First Aid or Bepanthen Antiseptic Creamto the wound, apply sterile dressing/ gauze and avoid adhesive dressings as they may peel away the skin. If wound size is greater than 3cm (say a big coin), go to the nearest emergency room/doctor.

First aid for simple wounds - Minor cuts, nicks and grazes usually do not need a visit to the doctor. Proper care is essential to avoid infection and complications. The first thing to do is to try and stop bleeding by applying some gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage for about 5 -20 minutes. Rinse wound with clean water. Soaps and detergents can irritate the wound so avoid getting them in direct contact with the wound and clean thoroughly to reduce risk of infection. Once wound is cleaned, wipe it dry. If wound cannot be cleaned or if wound is deep, more than 5-6 millimetres, or flesh or fat is poking out visit the nearest emergency room/doctor. Quick closing of wound, within a few hours, ensures faster healing and reduces infection risks. If the wound is shallow, apply Bepanthen First Aid and cover wound with sterile gauze/bandage to keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. Change the dressing daily or as often as needed and if the wound isn't healing, visit your doctor.