Things like Neosporin gel, do they really lose effectiveness over time? I got a nice gash on my foot Saturday and my wife handed me a tube of Neosporin after I got the cut cleaned. I noticed upon reapplying that the expiration date was 10/2016.

I'd say it's not as effective as fresh, but doubt that it's going to harm you in any way.

assuming it was stored okay -- I'd have no issues using it


https://www.health.harvard.edu...o-they-mean-anything

https://www.propublica.org/art...rug-expiration-dates

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It was stored in a cool dry place. Got a new tube yesterday just in case.

This brings up another question. In a SHTF scenario, what would be the best thing to have for a long term, society falls apart situation?

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:
It was stored in a cool dry place. Got a new tube yesterday just in case.

This brings up another question. In a SHTF scenario, what would be the best thing to have for a long term, society falls apart situation?

Pure honey would probably be a good idea.
Someone will be along shortly with a better one so stay tuned.

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:

This brings up another question. In a SHTF scenario, what would be the best thing to have for a long term, society falls apart situation?

If I knew it was a real SHTF scenario, I’d get thee to the nearest pharmacy and take all the Ceflex, Penicillin, and other antibiotics...forget the painkillers...the antibiotics will save your life

As a medical practitioner I can say a few antibiotics are handy but absolutely would want some oral and injectable steroids and lidocaine. A one gallon zip lock bag of the properly selected medications would last a lifetime.

Lately I've been getting excellent results using old-fashioned "drawing salve" (Ichthammol ointment). The stuff they used to use for drawing out splinters. It is also a very powerful anti-biotic. I've been using it on boils and cuts, and finding it works much faster than Neosporin. The only downside is the smell (tar) and discoloration of clothing (tar). However, there are homeopathic versions which aren't nearly so bad, for example PRID.

I now have tins of PRID in my medicine cabinet and my first aid kit.