Summer is the time to get outside and enjoy nature. People of all ages enjoy taking walks, catching fireflies, hikes, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, camping, rashes, and a myriad of other activities. Sometimes these goings-on result in ouches and itches. It is best to prepare for first aid before it is needed. Assemble a first aid kit for bites, bruises, burns, cuts, muscle aches, seasonal allergies, stings, sunburns, and even summer colds.

Personal Story

It always happens! My children spend more time outside as the weather warmed up and the first aid kit began its regular appearance to give relief for skinned knees, mosquito bites, and the occasional bee sting. Gathering first aid supplies before they were needed an early spring task for me.

Summer Distresses

What aid do we need to prepare to give? Here’s a list of things we may encounter:

• Bites- mosquito, spider, dog, or snake
• Bruises
• Burns
• Cuts
• Muscle aches
• Contact rashes from poison ivy or poison oak
• Scrapes
• Seasonal allergies
• Stings-bee or wasp
• Sunburns
• Summer colds with sore throat, colds, upper respiratory problems
• Upset stomach or diarrhea

Natural Ingredients to Stock

These products are helpful. Many of the items could be purchased at your local grocery store, Walmart, or from Amazon. The herbs could be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs, Herb Pharm, or Gaia Herbs.

• Aloe Vera plant-burns, blisters, mosquito bites, sunburns
• Apple Cider vinegar poison ivy, digestive troubles, food poisoning, indigestion
• Activated charcoal food poisoning, diarrhea
• Arnica-bruises and muscle pain
• Baking Soda-poison ivy, spider bites
• Cayenne powder capsules stops bleeding rapidly
• Chamomile tea for colds and relaxation
• Coconut oil-chapped lips, dry skin
• Comfrey- broken bone healing and minor wounds; make homemade “Neosporin” with it
• Echinacea homemade tincture for summer colds
• Epsom salts- sore muscles, remove splinters
• Eucalyptus- essential oil for respiratory issues and coughing; make homemade “Vapo-rub”
• Ginger capsules digestive illness, motion sickness, nausea, reflux
• Hydrogen peroxide- wounds, prevent ear infection, respiratory illness
• Peppermint herb and essential oil-digestion
• Plantain-bee sting
• Slippery Elm-sore throat
• Vitamin C- flu illness
• Homemade Healing Salve
• Witch Hazel- cuts, scrapes, hemorrhoids

Making your own salves, tinctures, or remedies is usually less expensive, but it’s time consuming.

Supplies to Have on Hand

Miscellaneous items that are useful:

• Adhesive tape
• Bandages- band aids, sterile gauze pad, butterfly bandages (use butterflies for minor to moderate cuts, not punctures)
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Hot water bottle
• Ice pack
• Super glue
• Thermometer
• Tweezers

It is worth the time and money to gather the items your family needs.

Know When to See a Doctor

These symptoms may need medical care:

• Allergic reactions
• Bites-dog
• Bleeding
• Breathing difficulties
• Burns that cover large areas
• Eye injuries
• High fevers
• Infections that hang on
• Lethargy or loss of consciousness
• Toxic exposures
• Wounds of a serious nature

Be sure to contact your physician when any of these symptoms occur.

Action Step

Take a few minutes to make a list of the discomforts your family usually experiences during their summer play and the first aid items you need to have on hand. Then buy the products and make the items that will bring comfort to the person who has the itches and ouches of summer.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Do you have any natural first aid tips? Share in the comment section!

Note: This post is for educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.