Legal Drug Dealer: What should be in your first aid box before lock down

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President of Ghana announced a lockdown for some select municipalities in the country. This is in response to the spread of Coronavirus in these areas. Alongside food and banking services, the President announced that persons in the affected areas are allowed to visit the pharmacies with no restrictions.

It still is imperative to take this time to get yourself and family a first aid kit. It would reduce the number of times to the barest minimum, thereby, protecting yourself and family.

A good first aid kit must contain basic items that are able to take you the first steps of first aid before you go to the pharmacy or hospital.

Your home first aid kit should be able to manage:

• Minor burns and scalds
• Mild Headaches and slight fevers. In these times, you should be intentional about your temperature as well as others in your family.
• Stomach aches
• Stings and cuts
• Diarrhoea and constipation
• Allergies

Below are some things you should have in your coronavirus first aid kit.

Painkillers: Paracetamol for kids and persons with asthma and stomach ulcers. Adults above 16 years old can take aspirin. To reiterate, no child below 16 should be given aspirin.

Antacids: Aluminium Hydroxide tablets; what is commonly known as G tablet. Mist. Magnesium trisilicate.

Dressings: Gauze; Bandages; Gentian Violet; Methylated spirit; Plasters; cotton.

Antidiarrheal drugs

Anti-allergy drugs: This is especially for people who have a lot of allergies.

Thermometer: To check temperatures of the family. Checking temperatures is highly crucial in these times we find ourselves.

Disposable gloves

Nose masks

Rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based sanitizer: Whichever you choose should have an alcohol content of not less than 70%.

Activated Charcoal. For homes with children, activated charcoal is a must. This is used as an adsorbent when poisonous substances are ingested. Note, however, that activated charcoal is not an antidote for all poisons. As your Pharmacist or doctor when in doubt.

Vitamins and minerals: Especially Vitamin C

Cough preparations.

Heating pads

Ice packs

Ointments for inflammations

HOW TO MAKE A FIRST-AID KIT.

Have you been wondering how to get a first aid kit in these times? Some day we will talk extensively about how to make a first aid kit to protect your pharmaceuticals from high temperature, humidity and children. Today, let us talk about the basic things you can use.

The Legal Drug Dealer: Pharmacists are not magicians

The easiest way is to get a pre-made first aid bag or box from a pharmacy and fill it with the other basics that are missing.

You can get:

• The good old cookie tin containers from last Christmas.
• The FAN ICE container in your fridge
• A plastic Tupperware container with a cover.
• Shoe boxes
• Ziploc bags.
• Your drawers
• A small backpack
• A pouch

Ensure that these items are washed and dried up. If possible, get two containers: one for drugs and the other for other chemicals. They should be water-resistant and able to survive falls. Keep them away from sunlight, water and children.

The Legal Drug Dealer: No prescription?

FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

If you have conditions like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia or high cholesterol, asthma etc, you must have at least 2 weeks’ refill of your medications. This will reduce your movement for a while. Most people with conditions like these belong to the vulnerable people who hen infected with coronavirus will have a lot of difficulties.

Good news is, good pharmacies have a comprehensive list for first aid and can dispense to them to you at your request. This would save you the arduous task of doing the compilation.

Stay safe. Until then, I am your Pharmacist.

My tip for this week:

STAY HOME!! The best way you can help fight the virus is to stay home and mind your business.