Each house has its own variation of a first-aid box. It has the usual suspects — band-aids, painkillers, gauze, and some medicines for specific uses. But did you know that your first aid box should also have some items to battle skin problems?
The importance of a skincare first-aid box cannot be understated. It should be your first option in case of skincare emergencies, and here are some items that can help you.
Potassium permanganate: This compound is the derma world’s best-kept secret. As an oxidising agent, potassium permanganate takes care of acute skin infections and prickly heat rashes. An antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal solution, it has been a staple in the treatment for many skin conditions such as impetigo, carbuncles, and folliculitis. It is also used to wash vegetables.
Dr D’s tip: Use lukewarm water to dissolve a few potassium permanganate crystals till the solution turns light pink. Use a handkerchief or cotton gauze to dab it on the affected area. Once applied, wait 5-10 minutes and then use normal water to clean the treated area, and follow it with the medicinal cream suggested by your doctor.
Antiseptic creams and solutions: These are essential items that most people should have handy. Make sure that you keep an antifungal powder, especially during the summer months.
Dr D’s tip: Avoid sulfur-based antibacterial creams for best results. Make sure to check your neosporin content, as it is commonly combined with sulfur. Better to get mupirocin.
Antiallergic medication: The rising pollution levels have contributed to the increasing occurrence of allergies among many people. Fexofenadine tablets are safe for adults and children to treat any basic allergies. Moreover, increasing Omega-3 in the diet reduces the risk of allergies.
Dr D’s tip: If you see weals (inflammation) around the eyes and lips, it could possibly be a life-threatening allergic reaction. Go to the nearest hospital and get it checked.
Maintain hygiene first
A skincare first-aid box may help solve some dermatological issues, but behavioural changes are key to healthy and happy skin.
Bathe often and keep your nailbed clean. In case you love long nails, get them manicured often.
Don’t use perfume directly on the body — spray it on your clothes. Better to use translucent, scent-free soaps rather than shower gels, especially if you have allergy-prone skin.
Consume more plant-based foods with a healthy balance of curd and other gut biome-friendly food. If you love meat, it is better to have it cooked at home.
First-aid for your fur baby too
Yes, you read that right. There’s a really important family member who needs the same level of care — your dog.
I learnt this from my mother, a retired senior doctor and additional medical superintendent at Ram Manohar Lal Hospital, who makes sure our dogs are given a bath within five days. She tells us that regular bath and cleaning is the first step in maintaining hygiene for pets. She also makes sure the dog handler uses the antifungal dusting spray on its paws, ears, and tail before a walk — it reduces chances of infection.
When the dog is back, the handler uses potassium permanganate to keep its feet clean.
In case your dog develops a mouth infection, you can try using a soft muzzle — it helps in containing the infection within a localised area.
Keep a bottle of cotton balls and hydrogen peroxide handy in the first-aid kit for your dog.
Antimicrobial spray/cream over non-furry areas helps promote better healing of wounds and reduces skin dryness.
Milk of magnesia does wonders when your dog eats that suspicious-looking plant in the park. It helps counter poisonous threats. But make sure to check with your veterinarian about the correct dosage.
Use microfiber cloth towels to clean your dog’s body and paws post-walks to reduce the chances of fungal infections. It is especially important for dogs’ ears, which often get dunked in food and water while they eat.
Keep a pair of sharp scissors to snip off the fur in areas around wounds to make sure the skin can breathe freely.
Regular hair and nail trimming is a must, especially if you have dogs that grow thicker fur.
An oft-forgotten part of the routine is cleaning your dog’s ears. Trim the fur outside the ears to the minimum length and use cotton gauze and antiseptic cream to clean the inside.
Check your dog for allergies and tweak its diet if you do not see any improvement in its skin condition.
Investment in an infrared lamp is a boon for your older dogs — in combination with cannabis oil, it does wonders for any pain-related symptoms.
Start listening to your skin
The skin is a mirror to our health — if it’s itchy, inflamed, breaking out, or anything out of the ordinary, it is a sure-shot sign that we need to find the underlying cause and treat that.
The next time your family complains of itchy skin or your dog keeps licking the same spot on its body, fetch your first-aid kit.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)