Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why trust us?

Make like a Girl Scout and be prepared.

From a kitchen cut to a sprained ankle, stuff happens—but nearly half of us don't keep a kit of supplies handy for emergencies. Not you, not now. Here's what every woman should stock in her first-aid kit at all times. 

Quickly calm bug bites, hives, and allergic reactions.

Size is crucial: teeny ones for pinkies and H-shaped for knuckles.

Stops severe, life-threatening bleeding when pressure isn't doing the job.

Disposables go under the tongue just like glass ones—but don't break.

For moderate bleeding, the hash-work material promotes clotting.

Wrap a sprain with this bad boy to reduce swelling.

Superabsorbent for serious bleeding—or as a barf bag (think: carsick).

No ice in sight? This chills out sports injuries or bruises.

Watch a hot doctor explain why that stubborn bruise won't heal:

Curved and blunt-tipped, they cut clothing or bandages safely.

Prevent cross-contamination from blood or dirty hands.

Heat-reflective and ultrathin, it keeps you warm and dry.

Shield your eyes from bodily fluids while treating an injured person.

These versatile rolls secure bandages, but paramedics also write treatment notes on them—or draw pictures on them to calm a frightened kid.

Use to remove a tick or splinter, but nothing from an ear or nose.

Watch a hot doctor teach you the best way to clean your ears:

After controlling bleeding with gauze, wrap this around the dressing and secure with tape.

When doing mouth-to-mouth, this barrier blocks germs and helps more oxygen get to the lungs.

Hydrocortisone keeps a rash from flaring up and soothes poison ivy.

Wounds heal best when moistened with this and then covered.

A possible heart-attack victim chews two while you call 911.

Soap and water are always best, but in a pinch these can clean debris from wounds or germs from your hands.