How to choose a Wheelchair that is best suited to your needs

With much advancement in medical technology, equipment and products, getting around when you’re disabled or ill is so much easier than it used to be.

There are a range of different wheelchairs available, all with their own specific features based on your needs. Are you looking for an affordable wheelchair? Take a look at the various wheelchairs available on Supply Doctor (www.supplydoctor.co.za) as well as many other medical supplies, equipment, consumables, disposables, first aid products and so much more.

Here’s how to choose a wheelchair that is best suited to your needs…

Motorized Scooters

        -          This wheelchair is motorized so that means it does not need much physical strength to move it around, this means it is a lot better for the elderly.

        -          It is easier for the person on the scooter to negotiate curbs as well as road crossings.

        -          A motorized scooter is large so it is unable to fit in a regular vehicle, it is also best to keep a spare battery on hand at all times.

Power Wheelchairs

        -          Powered by a joystick, this wheelchair is perfect for anyone who has limited mobility.

        -          Easy navigation on road crossings and curbs.

        -          It is unable to fit in a regular car; however it is possible to fit a power wheelchair in a modified vehicle.

Self-Propelled Wheelchairs

        -          This chair is perfect for someone who needs easy access to shops with simple steering.

        -          A self-propelled wheelchair is able to fit inside your vehicle for total mobility.

        -          You can use this wheelchair without help from anyone else.

        -          Because it is self-propelled it can be hard work for your arms.

        -          Terrain can sometimes be a concern, so always take your environment into account.

Push-wheelchairs

        -          These wheelchairs are suited for people with limited movement or no movement at all.

        -          Majority of these fold and fit easily into a regular vehicle.

        -          It is not possible to use this wheelchair on your own; you will need someone to push you around at all times.

        -          Always remember that this type of wheelchair is not easily manoeuvrable.

When you choose a wheelchair you need to think clearly about your needs and what features are best suited to your needs. Choosing a wheelchair is never simple, so to make the right choice always go through all the features, disadvantages as well as the advantages.

Everything you need to know about taking your child to the doctor

Doctor’s visit can be really scary for children. Many adults avoid the doctor’s office because of the fear that many children experience...

Here are 7 helpful tips for making a visit to the doctor’s office as comfortable for your child as possible:

1. Warn you child about the visit. Telling your little one beforehand will give them time to mentally prepare. It will also teach them to trust you. You don’t have to tell them a week before, the night or the morning before should be fine.

2. Explain the purpose of the visit. Let your child know that the doctor is looking to see how they are growing, or if they are sick. Tell them the doctor is trying to help them to feel better.

3. Walk them through what will happen. Tell them the doctor will look in their eyes and ears and listen to their heart beat. If they need shots too, let them know that too.

4. Read some books about other children going to the doctor. Your child will benefit from books that put them at ease. Books help them to know that it’s a normal part of life, and every child goes through the same thing.

5. Make sure your child is well rested. Schedule the appointment for a time of day when your child is generally happy. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.

6. Arrive early. Your children will feel more comfortable if they aren’t rushed and get comfortable with the doctor’s office. Many offices have toys, fish tanks and interesting things for your kids to look at.

7. Concentrate on the good. Explain to them that your doctor’s office gives stickers or a sweeties for good behaviour. You could also promise and outing afterwards, like to the library or the park.

Shots, nurses and exam rooms aren’t exactly a fun field trip for your kids, but these tips can make a visit to the doctor a lot less painful for you and your child.

Need a reliable supplier of all your medical equipment and supplies? Place your order on Supply Doctor today, call 021 110 0422 or email info@supplydoctor.co.za and choose from our wide range of medical products!

Here’s what to do if you have a sore throat

Having a sore throat can mean it feels painful, scratchy and even dry – have you been experiencing this recently? 

There can be many causes for your sore throat from allergies, dry air and chemicals to strep throat or a bacterial infection.

Besides visiting your doctor, here’s what you can do to relieve your sore throat…

- Drink warm liquids like chicken soup, warm water with lemon or tea with honey
- Buy lozenges and suck on a few throughout the day
- Do not talk too much so you can rest your voice until you feel a bit better
- Gargle warm salt water in your mouth
- Eat something cool and soothing like ice cream or cold water

Please be aware that these home remedies will not cure your sore throat if you have a bacterial infection – you will need to see your doctor for treatment.

Are you looking for medical equipment and supplies that are affordable but still high quality? Supply doctor is an online medical store that has a range of products from blood pressure meters and first aid supplies to hospital equipment, scales, thermometers and stethoscopes.

Place your orders today from info@supplydoctor.co.za or call 021 110 0422

Here’s what a Doctor’s Bag should ALWAYS contain

A doctor’s bag is very important as well as the contents inside the bag, however the equipment may vary according to each individual doctor and what they specialise in.

Besides containing essential medical equipment, a doctor’s bag should also be sturdy, lockable but still portable enough to carry around. Always remember that a doctor’s bag should be stored in a cool, dry place and never in the boot of a car.

Here is a list of the necessary equipment that should always be included in a doctor’s bag…

- Stethoscope
- Pulse oximeter
- Aneroid sphygmomanometer
- A diagnostic set
- Tongue depressors (wrapped)
- Tourniquet
- Scissors
- Alcohol wipes
- Gloves
- Reflex hammer
- Specimen bottles
- A small torch
- Syringes and needles
- Thermometer
- Disposable scalpel
- Peak flow meter
- Glucometer
- Face mask
- Space (for asthma)

What else do you think should be stored in a doctor’s bag?

Supply Doctor can supply you with all you need to fill your doctor’s bag – all at prices that everyone can afford! Place your orders today from 021 110 0422 or email info@supplydoctor.co.za

11 Types of Doctors and What They Do

A doctor is someone who helps people, gives hope to the sick and ultimately saves lives. However, there are a range of types of doctors, each treating different medical conditions according to what they specialise in.

Do you know which doctor you need to see? Here are the 11 types of doctors and what each of them do…

1. Family Practitioner/General Physician – Your friendly neighbourhood doctor who provides treatment for general illnesses and non-emergency conditions.

2. Internist/Internal Medicine Doctor – This doctor specializes in adult medicine, prevention and treatment of diseases that affect adults.

3. Emergency Doctor – Offers medical services in the emergency room and are on call 24/7.

4. Hospitalist – A doctor you’ll see in the hospital that looks after the patients who are hospitalized.

5. Pain Management/Palliative Care Specialist – Helps in reducing the suffering and improving the quality of life of the patients who experience any sort of pain.

6. Infectious Disease Specialist – Studies and treats diseases that are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

7. General Paediatrician – Studies, treats and specializes in general medical problems in infants, children and adolescents.

8. Critical/Intensive-care Specialist – Studies, diagnosis, and treats life-threatening conditions requiring organ support and invasive monitoring.

9. Geriatrician – Provides treatment for the diseases and health problems related to geriatrics or seniors.

10. Anaesthesiologist – Studies and administers anaesthesia during surgical procedures.

11. Surgeons – This doctor performs surgeries related to different sub-specialties of medicine.

There are many specialties of medicine and each specialty has a different type of doctor or surgeon.

Looking for high quality, affordable medical supplies and equipment? Give us a call on 021 110 0422, email info@suppldoctor.co.za or place your order on Supply Doctor today!

4 Easy Ways to Take Control of your Health in 2019

Do you want to change your health for the better in the New Year, but you just don’t know where to begin?

Well, to help you out a bit, here are 4 easy healthy habits that you can adopt to help you take charge of your health and general wellbeing in 2019!

1. Come up with a meal plan

It is so much easier to eat healthy, well-balanced meals if you have the ingredients on hand with all your meals planned out. Make a meal plan for the week and then do one big shop for everything – this makes it easier to plan what you’re going to eat, plus the kids can help so everyone feels involved.

2. Always have a water bottle on hand

It is so important to stay hydrated, so be sure to always try and drink 4 – 6 glasses of water a day! When you carry around a water bottle with you you’ll be less likely to choose a fizzy, sugary drink when you need to quench your thirst.

3. Eat the colours of the rainbow

Always include produce of a range of different colours into your daily diet such as spinach, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, strawberries,bananas, etc. These fruits and vegetables are packed full of nutrients and fibre and can help you stay health and protect you against illnesses.

4. Enjoy what you eat

This tip is an important one, but it is often lost amongst all the new diets and fads that come and go so often. Cooking together with your loved ones, sharing and finding joy in the food that you eat is vital when it comes to staying healthy and happy.

Use these 4 easy, helpful tips to take control of your health and wellbeing in 2019!

Supply Doctor is an online medical supply store that offers reliable medical equipment and products that everyone can afford - place your orders today from 021 110 0422 or email info@supplydoctor.co.za

7 must-haves for your First Aid Kit

Whether it’s a skinned knee or a sprained ankle, having the correct medical materials in your first aid kit is essential. Packaging your first aid kit doesn’t have to be expensive or take up a lot of room at home or in your car.

Take a look at Supply Doctor, an online medical supplies website, for a wide range of first aid equipment as well as bags and boxes.

Here are 7 important must-haves for your first aid kit:

First aid manual – You may not want to waste space in your kit, but having a manual is important as it can offer essential tips and guide you on how to treat certain wounds, etc. Learning how to treat injuries while waiting for professional help can really make a difference.

An assortment of bandages – Whether you need gauze for a large wound or a simple adhesive strip for a small scratch, having assorted bandages in your first aid kit is essential. Bandages come in a range of shapes and sizes, so be sure to pack a variety.

Antiseptic and ointments – Should someone injury themselves, it is vital that everything is sterile to avoid infections. Be sure to include antiseptic, hand sanitizer and sanitary cloths in your first aid kit. Toss in a pair of non-latex gloves to safely apply any antiseptic or ointments.

Instant Compress – Aches and pains also need to be treated, so make sure your first aid kit includes a heat pack as well as an ice pack. An instant compress is recommended to reduce any swelling.

Scissors – A good pair of scissors is a necessity in your first aid kit. In addition to cutting gauze you may need to cut other material like clothing during an emergency. A regular pair of scissors is fine along as they are sharp enough!

Medication – Pain is a big deal, especially to little children, so it’s a good idea to have children’s pain reliever as well as pain relieve for adults in your first aid kit to reduce fevers, headaches, sprains and other pains.

Tweezers – This device isn’t just for plucking stray hairs. Tweezers can come in handy in your first aid kit, especially if you need to remove splinters, glass and ticks.

Accidents of any kind are bound to happen, anytime or anywhere. So, it is crucial for you to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand at all times!

Using a Nebulizer for Asthma Treatment

A nebulizer is an electric atomizer used to deliver medicine to help control severe asthma. It contains the same medicine that is found in your inhaler, except it delivers it in a different, more effective way. A nebulizer is often only used on people who are too sick or too young to use an inhaler.

So how does a nebulizer work? A nebulizer is a device that compresses the medicine and turns it into an air mist that you can breathe in easily using the mouth piece or mask. There are a range of different nebulizers available including convenient, portable nebulizers (click here for an affordable one from Supply Doctor) that you can move around with you when need be.

Here’s how to use a nebulizer…

1. Always check with your doctor first for any specific instructions and read through the package details.

2. Get familiar with every part of the nebulizer before you use it.

3. Find somewhere comfortable, sit down and relax.

4. Hold the mask in place and breathe in and out evenly until the medicine is completely vaporized out of the cup.

5. If you are using a face mask, put it in place over your nose and mouth.

6. Be aware that the process of using a nebulizer can take up to 10 minutes.

7. When you are done, clean the mouthpiece or face mask as well as the medicine cup – not cleaning your nebulizer can result in bacterial infections!

Nebulizers can provide instant relief when your inhaler fails to work. Always ask your doctor first and keep in mind that when it comes to asthma it’s always good to be one step ahead!

Supply Doctor is an online medical store that provides affordable, high quality medical equipment and products, including nebulizers - take a look here...

7 Vital Steps to Take when Treating a Minor Burn

Minor burns are common injury, however they can still be extremely painful. While you can treat a minor burn yourself at home with the help of a fully stocked first aid kit, it is best to get professional help should you have a severe burn. 

Here are 7 vital steps you need to take when treating a minor burn...

1. Run cool water over the burn. This will prevent further damage to your skin. Avoid using extremely cold water, since this can damage the skin around the burn.

2. Remove tight clothing or jewelry. Anything that might constrict your skin as the wound swells needs to be removed. This lets blood flow to the wound and starts healing it.

3. Apply a cold compress. If cool water isn’t an option, use a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Place it over your burn.

4. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, if the pain and swelling does not lessen after several hours; take another does of the medication.

5. Clean the burn. After washing your hands, use soap and water to clean the burn. To prevent infection, apple an anti-biotic to keep the burn clean and Aloe Vera to soothe your skin.

6. Lightly cover the burn with gauze. You may not need to apply a bandage to first degree burns, but small second degree burns will need a wrap to keep out any infection.

7. Watch the burn for infection. Keep an eye on the wound for changes in colour. Seek medical attention if a burn does not heal over several weeks. Let your doctor know if you experience any warmth, tenderness and hardening of the wound area

Need some high-quality medical supplies to clean and treat your burn? Supply Doctor has a wide range of medical equipment that can suit your needs - contact us today on 021 110 0422 or email info@supplydoctor.co.za

How to use a finger pulse oximeter in 5 easy steps

A pulse oximeter is a medical device that measures heart rate and the oxygen level in the blood, expressed as the percent of oxygen saturation. Pulse oximeters operate by shining light through the skin to the blood vessels below. These devices are commonly used in many health care settings and are available over the counter. If you have high oxygen saturation (close to 100%) it indicates that the red blood cells are fully loaded with oxygen from the lungs.

Follow the steps to learn how to use a finger pulse oximeter:

Step 1
Turn on the pulse oximeter by firmly pressing the power button. The screen should light up almost instantly.

Step 2
Place the sensor, the part that opens and closes like a clothespin, on any finger, with the sensor screen above your fingernail. If the sensor doesn’t have a screen, run the cable along the back of your finger or hand. Don’t use the thumb because these readings are less reliable than finger readings.

Step 3
Wait until the pulse oximeter acquires a signal. This may take 10 seconds or more, depending on the device and the conditions. Excessive movement can decrease the accuracy of the result, so make sure to keep still.

Step 4
Look at the display to see the heart rate, usually indicated with a heart or pulsing light. The percent of oxygen saturation is typically indicated by the symbol “Sp02.” Many devices also have a pulse tone that beeps in time with the heart rate.

Step 5
Leave the sensor on for continuous monitoring. The sensor can become uncomfortable or cause pressure sores if you leave it on your finger for too long. Check and move the sensor at least every two to four hours. If only a single measurement is required, remove the sensor and press the power button to turn off the device.

Take a look at Supply Doctor’s wide range of medical equipment and supplies. There are many options to choose from, including pulse oximeters.

Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls during the Wet Weather Season

When the weather takes a turn for the worst, there are usually a lot more people checking into the emergency room for slips, trips and falls.

However, the accidents that come with the wet weather are preventable is you just take the correct steps to protect yourself…

* Always take your time. If it is possible, avoid travelling in heavy rain, sleet or snow. However if you must go out, always take your time and be careful! If you are walking, choose to use sidewalks and pathways that are free of ice, overflowing water, etc. if you have to drive – use these 12 wet weather safety tips from PatrolMan.

* Dress according to the weather. Choose boots and shoes that are waterproof with non-slip soles or treads – L&A Safety offers a range of affordable, waterproof footwear for home and the workplace. Remember to also always wear gloves, a warm jacket and a scarf so you stay warm and avoid getting sick.

* Be careful in parking lots. If you live in an area that has ice or sleet, make sure to regularly clean the parking area or drive way. Hold on to your car door when you exit and take short steps – this tip also applies if you are walking in heavy rain.

* If you are injured, act quickly. Call for help immediately if you have been injured, some injuries may not seem serious, but may get worse later on. It is also a good idea to keep a fully stocked first aid kit close at hand for emergency situations – Supply Doctor offers high quality, affordable medical equipment and supplies, including first aid kits!

The number of slips, trips and falls increase in the winter months; luckily these incidents can be prevented using a few simple steps.

Why you should ALWAYS wear medical gloves

Medical gloves are one of the most important pieces of medical equipment in the medical and health industry! They are an essential PPE that the Food and Drug Administration regulates, and they must ALWAYS be leak and tear resistant and packaged in sterile packaging.

The key fact is to find a reliable medical supply and equipment store and you’re sorted! Visit Supply Doctor, where there are thousands of medical supply products to choose from, including medical glove. Place your order from info@supplydoctor.co.za or call 021 110 0422

Medical gloves are disposable, so they are specifically designed to be worn only once. The main purpose of gloves is to protect patients and health care workers from germs, infection and from coming into contact with certain dangerous substances.

Gloves should be worn every time you touch blood, bodily fluids, bodily tissues, mucous membranes, hazardous drugs or broken skin. Doctors take note here: you should wear gloves for this sort of contact, even if the patient you are dealing with seems healthy and has no sign of any germs.

It is so important that the gloves actually fit your properly and cover the hand and part of the wrist. The gloves should be made of latex or a strong synthetic material like PVC or nitrile. Caregivers should always wash their hands properly before putting on the gloves and take special care when handling sharp objects.

Gloves can accidentally become ripped or torn, this means that they should be changed immediately and the old gloves should be thrown away. In fact, the golden rule is to NEVER ever reuse gloves!
But how you properly remove gloves?

When you take the gloves off make sure the outside of the gloves do not touch your bare hands.

Always follow these 6 simple steps:

1. Grab the top of the right glove with your left hand
2. Pull toward your fingertips – the glove will turn inside out
3. Hold onto the empty glove with your left hand
4. Put two right hand fingers in the top of your left glove
5. Pull towards your fingertips until you have pulled the glove inside out and off your hand. The right glove should be inside the left glove now
6. Throw the gloves away in a proper bin

It is essential to maintain excellent hygiene when dealing with patients, especially during surgeries and operations. Doctors always need to wear medical gloves to protect the patient from infections during surgeries and maintain hygiene.

How to Make your Child’s visit to the Doctor as Comfortable as possible

When it comes to visiting the doctor’s office, it can be really scary for small children, this is why a lot of parents avoid going to the doctor because of the fear their kids have.

Here’s how to make a doctor’s visit as easy as possible for your child…

Warn your child beforehand – Telling your child beforehand that you are visiting the doctor will give them time to prepare mentally. Surprising them with a doctor’s visit will only cause them not to trust you! So, tell them the night before or even the morning of the visit should be fine.

Explain why you are going – Always let your children know why they are going to the doctor, such as to check up on how fast they are growing or tell them if they are sick. Let them know that the doctor is there to make them feel better.

Let them know what will happen during the visit – Tell them that the doctor will check their eyes, ears, mouth and listen to their heart beat.

Read some children’s books about the doctor – Reading a fun children’s book will help to put them at ease. Books let them know that it is a normal part of life and every child goes through the same thing.

Make sure your child gets a good night’s rest – Schedule the doctor’s visit for a time of the day when your child is happy and fully rested.

Arrive at the doctor’s office early – This will ensure your child feels comfortable and give them some time to play and look at the interesting things in the office.

Focus on the good – Explain to them that if they behave well they’ll get a treat from the doctor, like a sweetie or a sticker. You could also give them a reward for their good behaviour afterwards by vising the local park or library.

Going to the doctor isn’t exactly a fun experience for a child, but these helpful tips will make it a lot less uncomfortable!

Need a reliable supplier of all your medical equipment and supplies? Place your order on Supply Doctor today and choose from our wide range of medical products.

Why so many of us avoid going to the Doctor

A lot of us really avoid going to the doctor like the plague. But why? Well, it can bring up feelings of anxiety, fear and stress!

Let’s stop and take a look at the reasons why majority of us avoid visiting the doctor’s office…

24% avoid the doctor because they don’t have insurance
24% avoid the doctor because they are embarrassed about the issue
19% avoid the doctor because it is expensive
18% avoid the doctor because their issue is not covered by health insurance
13% avoid the doctor because they are worries about discovering a condition
7% avoid the doctor because of other reasons

People often lie to their doctors, but what do they lie about?

       -          Eating habits

       -          Exercise

       -          Sex-related issues

       -          Smoking

       -          Alcohol

       -          Drugs

Often it is not the fear or stress that stops people from going to the doctor, but the certain pet peeves that people annoyed…

1. Waiting too long
2. Exposure to germs
3. Paperwork
4. Missing a day or work or other appointments

Because we are living in a digital world, people prefer to go online and google certain topics and symptoms, what are the most popular?

41% Sex-related issues
29% STDS
16% Drugs and alcohol
15% Weight
11% Digestive health
4% Other

Supply Doctor is your one-stop online store for all your medical supplies and equipment. Choose anything from BP meters and disposables to ECGs and ultrasound devices. Call 087 001 0511/2 or email sales@supplydoctor.co.za

VeinViewer – Innovative New Medical Device

It looks like a serious medical problem may have been solved with VeinViewer!

When it comes to drawing blood, finding a vein can be rather difficult at times. Your visit to the doctor can turn into a painful one if your doctor has multiply failed attempts to hit a vein.

The brilliant new VeinViewer device could be the answer to the problem. Using infrared light, medical professionals can spot a vein easily in any patient, even if they have shy veins! By detecting the haemoglobin in the blood, the veins will glow and make it as easy as pie for a doctor or nurse to find a vein.

Patients can now relax and forget about pain, as the VeinViewer allows the vein to be hit on the first try. Hopefully we will see this great device in hospitals and doctor’s offices around the world very soon.

Visit the Supply Doctor online store to browse through a range of medical equipment, such as first aid products, disposables, monitors, BP meters and even theatre tables and lights.

Good Vibes with Co-Workers may Boost your Health

Your social links with your co-workers could have a significant impact on your health, researchers say.

Sense of community

We are less burnt out and have greater well-being when our team and our organisation provide us with a sense of belonging and community – when it gives us a sense of 'we-ness'.

58 studies were analysed that included more than 19,000 employed people in 15 countries. They found that how strongly people identified with their work colleagues or organisation was associated with better health and a lower risk of burnout.

The people in the studies were in wide range of occupations, including service, health, sales and the military.

The review authors said their findings show that social relationships in the workplace – particularly the social groups people form at work – can play a major role in health at work. However, the study doesn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship, so don't panic if you're not in a social work environment.

Membership in social groups

These results show that both performance and health are enhanced to the extent that workplaces provide people with a sense of 'we' and 'us'. Social identification contributes to both psychological and physiological health, but the health benefits are stronger for psychological health.

The mental health benefits may come from the support provided by the work group, but also the meaning and purpose that people derive from membership in social groups, the study authors suggested.

Looking for medical equipment that is affordable and can be ordered online? Visit Supply Doctor's online medical supply store today and place your order from the comfort of your own home!

How to Avoid the Flu in an Open Office

Teamwork is a beautiful thing…until it makes you sick. According to a recent study, it takes just four hours for the germs on a contaminated workplace door to spread to the work surfaces and hands of half the employees in the office! Other office germ hot spots include coffee pots, microwaves and refrigerator door handles.

Protect yourself from office germs with our six tips for staying healthy in an open office environment. You’ll be healthier, more productive, and continue to love your co-workers—even through cold and flu season.

For a number of medical supplies, including disposables, light medical equipment and first aid products - Visit Supply Doctor and place your order from the comfort of your own home!

Google Patent for Implantable Health Device

Google is looking to patent an implantable device that would keep tabs on a person's health.

As first noted by PatentYogi, the patent application describes a method by which a doctor or other healthcare provider would inject a person with a small chip that would analyze fluids in the skin. Data could then be sent to a reader device so doctors can analyze blood and other fluids.

Armed with that knowledge, doctors could make determinations on a person's blood sugar levels and find out how a diabetic's level are fluctuating throughout the day. In addition, Google says the technology could be used to detect heart rate and even a person's body temperature.

Of course, patents don't always translate into actual products.

Google has been working on health-related issues for some time, from its smart contact lenses to needle-free blood draws.

Will we see this implantable health device in the future?

Supply Doctor is an online medical supply store that can provide you with high quality items at an affordable price. Simply visit the Supply doctor website and place your order - it's that easy!

Your Springtime Medical Supplies List

As the warm weather approaches, it's a good time to stock up on those medical supplies that are typically needed in a hurry. Don't wait until you suddenly need them. You won't feel like going to the store to buy them at that point. So get ahead and get prepared. Stock your medicine cabinet up today and be ready!

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

For many people, warmer weather means more time outside.

Getting back to nature heals the body and the soul, but beware of those parts of nature that can give you an itchy rash.

Helpful Medical Supplies:

- Calamine lotion

- Cold compress

- Your doctor may recommend or prescribe antihistamines or prednisone

Scrapes and Cuts

More time outdoors for kids especially means more time running and playing on the playground. Good stuff, for sure, but the more they climb the more their chances for skinned knees do too.

Helpful Medical Supplies:

- Bandages and band aids of course

- Many people think hydrogen peroxide and/or alcohol are primary tools to clean a cut. Not so. In fact, it's simple water and mild soap. The hydrogen peroxide and alcohol can actually damage the skin and slow the progress of healing.

- Antibiotic ointment, covered by a band aid, will keep the wound moist and protected. This is the optimal environment for healing. 

- For more advanced wound care, check out first aid supplies or minor procedure kits. These will be administered by trained medical professionals.

Skin Protection from the Sun

The sun's harmful ultraviolet rays magnify in the hotter months. While many skin care experts recommend wearing sun screen with at least an SPF of 15 all year round, this becomes especially important in the Spring and Summer. SPF protection defends against not only sunburn in the short-term but also skin cancer in the long-term.

If you do get a sun burn, aloe and other natural remedies are a great natural and low-cost remedy for soothing the skin. 

Insect Bites

Bugs come out more in the warmer months too. Mosquitoes not only cause itchy bites that when scratched can become infected, but they also sometimes carry potentially fatal diseases. Stock up on insect repellent and cover up as much skin as you can bear to when you go outdoors, especially during and after dusk.

- Ticks are another bothersome bug that can be harmless, but sometimes may carry lyme disease. Find repellent that specifically has a claim to defend against ticks.

- Bee stings, as long as you are not allergic to them, will mainly just cause an itchy sensation after the initial pain from the sting. An oral antihistamine will help reduce the pain, itching, and swelling.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Over the counter medical supplies are not the answer to snake bites and some spider bites. I could tell you to avoid the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider for example, but if your bit by any type of spider you may not have had the chance to check to see what kind it is. Don't mess around. It's worth a trip to the emergency room to have a snake bite or spider bite checked out. Some bites don't hurt right away and can look harmless but that's because the poison sets in slowly.

For a range of medical supplies and equipment, check out Supply Doctor’s online medical store!

Medical Supplies for Back and Neck Therapy

Is your back and neck bothering you? You're not alone. Muskuloskeletal issues like back pain and neck pain are very common. A number of things can cause back pain, from practical day to day activities like sitting at the office, carrying the groceries home or even gardening.

Here are some ideas for medical supplies that can help you with your back and neck pain management.

Pillows

You spend one-third of your life sleeping. Hopefully, you're getting a good night's rest, with quality sleep, while you're lying down in bed. That can be difficult though, when chronic pain is present and keeping you awake.

Choosing the right shape and softness for your pillow may help put you in a no-pain position so you can relax and doze off. In addition to the traditional pillow shape, which can easily be found in varying degrees of softness and hardness, there are also special shapes you can try until you find the right one. For example, crescent-shaped pillows may allow the neck angle that feels "just right" for you, while a roll-shaped pillow may help someone else.

Back Support

Does your job require you to sit all day? Or perhaps you have a long commute in your car every day? Sometimes a back support rest can help. These portable supports are back-shaped pads with support in various key places to (hopefully) prevent pain. Back supports are designed to align your spine and correct your posture. 

Not all back supports are placed on the back of your chair, whether it be at your desk or in your car. Some back supports are contoured seat cushions. You sit on them, but they support your spine, coccyx, and pelvis to reduce sitting fatigues and pain.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heating pads and cold packs now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and fastening mechanisms. Doctors typically recommend cold therapy to reduce swelling, which causes pressure to build up and manifests as pain. Heat therapy helps with muscle spasm and inflammation caused by tension and stress.

Heating pads are available now as plug-ins, and some are cordless but require you to heat them up in a microwave. You can find heating pad type supplies in the form of body wraps, back pads, shoulder wraps, and other spot target anti-cramp pads.

Ice packs are the same in that they come in many shapes to help you target the pain and swelling. Simple square or rectangular packs are easy to find, but there are also shoulder and neck pads, and some that have straps to keep them in place so that you don't have to hold them. 

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