Question

. . The first aid boxes must be ready by the time college resumes for academic work

Answer 1

A first aid kit is on every “dorm essentials” list and we recommend packing your own for a college-bound kid rather than buying a pre-made one off the shelf. This list, from a pharmacist and mom, has everything, and we mean EVERYTHING, they’ll need.

The pharmacist in me made up a First Aid Kit and supply list for my son which I will put in a plastic box for him to take to the dorm. It seems like a ton of stuff, but our son will be 11 hours from home. I will also include a sheet of instructions of what to take/use for what ailment and how to do so safely.

College first aid kit and other health-care supplies

First Aid

• Acetaminophen – fever/pain
• Ibuprofen-fever/pain/inflammation
• Instant ice packs
• Ice bag/reusable ice packs
• Thermometer – Vicks Digital Thermometer has a flexible tip version and seems to be more accurate than some other digital oral thermometers, and more durable. Since it is sold out in many places now, here is a digital thermometer that is available. The forehead ones and the ear ones are not practical for college students.
• Band aids in various sizes
• Bacitracin or Neosporin
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antifungal cream and powder
• Rolled gauze
• Sterile gauze pads 2×2 and 4×4
• Ace bandages in various sizes
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• 70% rubbing alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Chap Stick of some kind
• Vaseline
• Tiger balm patches for sore muscles (he is an athlete)
• Artificial tears drop – Visene (gets the red out) has ingredients that are not indicated for long-term use and in some cases may not be appropriate at all. {Artificial tears (Genteal, Systane, Blink, Refresh) are recommended by ophthalmologists for dry eyes but also help for tired eyes as a soothing lubricant}.
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Aloe vera gel
• Afterbite
• Anbesol
• Styptic pencil for shaving nicks
• Bactine
• Wound wash saline
• Surgical tape

Cough and Cold

• Saline nasal spray
• Pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine (Sudafed)
• Cough syrup
• Guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin)
• Vick’s vaporub
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Dramamine) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
• Cough drops

Stomach Ailments

• Tums or Maalox
• Immodium
• Gas-x
• Motion sickness medicine

Other Important Reminders for the First Aid Kit

• Copy of health insurance card in a Ziploc bag
• Copy of immunization records in a Ziploc bag
• Vitamin supplements are an individual choice as would melatonin or any kind of sleep aid.
• For Athletes: Any product you plan to ingest as a supplement or medication should be cleared by your trainers and coaches. (The NCAA has very strict guidelines all participating athletes must follow.)
• Depending on location in the country, an emergency survival kit might be in order (tornado, earthquake or flood prone areas). Other types of bad weather usually allow time to prepare (blizzard and hurricane come to mind) so they could assemble necessary items themselves.
• Face Masks .
• Quarantine go-bag in case your student is asked to quarantine.