Tip #34 Take The Zing Out Of Stings & Bites

This latest outdoors tip was sent in by Bill Sklar in Tucson, Arizona.

For any kind of bite, sting, itch or minor skin irritation, I carry a Zilactin Toothache Swab. Forget the name... it's a 5-inch thin plastic tube that doesn't leak in your pocket. Flex it to break the outer tube and you are left holding a Q-tip-like swab, pre-soaked with 20% benzocaine. That provides instant numbing and cooling of any skin problem. Safe, clean, portable. It's in the toothpaste aisle. Isn't that strange?

AOJ: I would think that it might come in handy to deaden the pain from a burn you might get from the campfire, the stove or a hot pot. Put the benzocaine on first to numb the area and then apply the first aid creme or ointment if you don't have any ice cubes to use out in the field.

Thanks Bill for this handy "field kit." No doubt it might come in handy too for quelling the pain on youngsters' owee's.

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