Topical medications are commonly included in first aid kits. These can be helpful for wounds and skin reactions.
Antibacterial Ointment
Neosporin (a triple antibiotic) and bacitracin (single antibiotic) are topical treatments that can be applied directly to wounds to help prevent an infection.
However, these medications are not always indicated for every wound, and overuse can contribute to antibiotic resistance—when bacteria figure out a way to evade medications to the point they are not longer effective.
As such, these ointments should be used sparingly.
Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid used to treat skin swelling and itching. This may come in handy for:
- Insect bites and stings
- Allergic skin rashes
- Poison ivy and poison oak rashes