Wound Care & Bandages: OTC Products Every Senior Should Have at Home
Proper Wound Care Prevents Complications
Minor cuts, scrapes, and skin tears are common in seniors due to thinner skin and blood-thinning medications. Having the right wound care products at home prevents infections and speeds healing. Most wound care products are covered by OTC benefits.
Essential Wound Care Products
- Adhesive bandages: Band-Aid, Curad, and store brands are all OTC-eligible. Keep assorted sizes including large patch bandages for skin tears
- Antiseptic solutions: Hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, and antiseptic wash clean wounds and prevent infection. OTC-eligible and essential
- Antibiotic ointment: Neosporin and bacitracin prevent wound infections. Apply to minor cuts before bandaging. OTC-eligible
- Gauze pads and rolls: Sterile gauze pads in 2x2 and 4x4 sizes cover larger wounds. Gauze rolls secure pads in place. Both are OTC-eligible
- Medical tape: Paper tape is gentler on senior skin than regular adhesive tape. Hypoallergenic options prevent skin reactions
Building Your First Aid Kit
- Use your OTC benefit: Spend part of each quarterly OTC allowance restocking your first aid supplies. Don't wait until you need them
- Include these items: Bandages (assorted), gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, scissors, elastic bandage (ACE wrap), instant cold pack
- Check expiration dates: Replace antiseptic and antibiotic ointment annually. Check bandage packaging for damage
When to See a Doctor
- Deep cuts: Any cut deeper than 1/4 inch or that won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure needs medical attention
- Signs of infection: Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus around a wound means it may be infected. See your doctor promptly
- On blood thinners: If you take blood thinners and have a wound that won't stop bleeding, seek medical care. Blood thinners make even minor cuts more serious