I discussed with my GP today whether he thought it was worth carrying antiseptic cream when backpacking. His view was that cleaning the wound was what was important. Antiseptic cream wasn't of much use and so not worth carrying.

Are there any medical Challengers out there who could give a 2nd opinion on this?

My dearly beloved is a GP and he is very much against antiseptic cream because it makes wounds go soggy and take longer to heal. He says clean it and let it get the air as much as possible. We have never carried it on any of our trips.

Ali (of Sue and Ali) is a GP so will no doubt have an opinion!

If it is as bad as needing cleaned what about a small dash of the amber nectar Scottish type.
Dual use of an essential that should be available locally.
Might be a bit nippy.
A bit of a conundrum, splash or swallow ?

Thanks, Ian. That's useful to know. I've started to carry small antiseptic wipes rather than cream to clean wounds. Amazing how much lotions and potions weigh when you count them up.

I carry alcohol wipes with sanitise the wound. If i run out of them i would pee on the wound..

Cream is rubbish.

Remind me not to let you apply 1st aid to me Mark, unless I have wipes

I carry iodine crystals. You just dissolve a few in water to make an antiseptic wash. You can also use them to purify water though I never do in Scotland, they are good at helping to start a fire and they weigh next to nothing.

Ian C.

Once more I,m with Ian on this. I've carried iodine crystals for years for
use as Ian has suggested plus exceptionally good for scalds or burns.
It is possible to buy Iodine patches now.Excellant first aid remedy.

Cheers