An adhesive bandage, also called a sticking plaster, sticky plaster, medical plaster, or simply plaster in British English, is a small medical dressing used for injuries not serious enough to require a full-size bandage. They are also known by the genericized trademarks of Band-Aid (as "band-aid" or "band aid" in Australia, Canada, India and the US) or Elastoplast (in the UK).
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The adhesive bandage protects the wound and scab from friction, bacteria, damage, and dirt. Thus, the healing process of the body is less disturbed. Some of the dressings have antiseptic properties. An additional function is to hold the two cut edges of the skin together to make the healing process faster.[1]
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An adhesive bandage is a small, flexible sheet of material which is sticky on one side, with a smaller, non-sticky, absorbent pad stuck to the sticky side. The pad is placed against the wound, and overlapping edges of the sticky material are smoothed down so they stick to the surrounding skin. Adhesive bandages are generally packaged in a sealed, sterile bag, with a backing covering the sticky side; the backing is removed as the bandage is applied. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
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A hydrogel dressing. An entirely transparent adhesive bandage, with a transparent hydrogel pad and adhesive waterproof plastic film (removable backing is blue and white).The backing and bag are often made of coated paper, but may be made of plastic.
The adhesive sheet is usually a woven fabric, plastic (PVC, polyethylene or polyurethane), or latex strip. It may or may not be waterproof; if it is airtight, the bandage is an occlusive dressing. The adhesive is commonly an acrylate, including methacrylates and epoxy diacrylates (which are also known as vinyl resins).[2]
Some people have allergies to some of these materials, particularly latex and some adhesives.[3]
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Due to being widely available only in a standard color, some people with skin tones darker than the standard bandage color have expressed frustration at having to use bandages that looked less conspicuous on the skin of lighter-skinned people. This has led to greater support for pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these bandages in a variety of skin tones.[4]
Some bandages, especially those designed for children, may come in a wide variety of colors or may feature cartoon characters.
Special bandages are used by food preparation workers. These are waterproof, have strong adhesive so they are less likely to fall off, and are usually blue so that they are more clearly visible in food. Some include a metal strip detectable by machines used in food manufacturing to ensure that food is free from foreign objects.[5]
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A wound held closed with butterfly closuresTransdermal patches are adhesive bandages with the function to distribute medication through the skin, rather than protecting a wound.[6]
Butterfly closures, also known as butterfly stitches, are generally thin adhesive strips which can be used to close small wounds. They are applied across the laceration in a manner which pulls the skin on either side of the wound together. They are not true sutures, but can often be used in addition to, or in place of actual sutures for small wounds. Butterfly stitches can be advantageous in that they do not need a medical professional to be placed or removed, and are thus a common item in first aid kits.[7]
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Self-adhesive bandage wraps (also known as cohesive bandages or cohesive wraps) are common in first aid kits alongside other medical supplies that stick to themselves without needing gauze pads or medical tape. Self-adhesive bandage wraps are reusable, stretchy bandages that stick to themselves but not to hair, skin, or clothing. Despite their stretchy nature, self-adherent bandages are natural rubber latex-free. They are constructed of a non-woven material called coban, which is coated in a substance that enables the bandage to stick to itself.
These types of wraps tend to be more durable than standard cloth versions, as they hold their shape better over time and maintain an intact seal as long as they aren&#;t torn away by accident. We&#;re going to take a look at the many uses of this type of bandage.
A cohesive bandage can wrap tight to keep a sprained joint (such as the ankle, knee, or wrist) stable and secure while tendons and ligaments heal. Since self-adherent wraps are soft, porous, and breathable, they can be worn comfortably for long periods. Because they don&#;t stick to skin, readjustment is simple.
Self-adhesive bandages can also keep a wound dressing in place. It can also hold an ointment-impregnated bandage for skin care purposes. The self adhesive bandage can be taken off for access to the injury for wound care and reapplied, provided it was not contaminated with blood, pus, or other body fluids. It&#;s important to note that a self-adhesive bandage is non-sterile and should not be applied directly to open wounds.
Applying the bandage roll in a spiral will provide a secure, tight fit. A clockwise spiral is standard and preferred to counterclockwise because it allows for better tension distribution and less slippage. The spiral should be tight enough that it doesn&#;t slip during use, but not so tight that it causes pain or discomfort for the patient. The direction of application should be consistent throughout all layers of the wrap to prevent injury from pulling on skin or muscle tissue.
Today, many self-adhering bandage wraps are available in different colors (other than the usual tan or beige) to allow users to distinguish between different types of injuries. Plus, brightly colored bandages are very popular with children!
The uses of self-adhesive bandage wraps aren&#;t just limited to healthcare settings; they&#;re used on the playing field as well. It has many advantages over athletic tape. When applied without stretching it, self-adhesive bandage wraps can be applied in more layers to create more support. Since it sticks to itself but is non-stick to the skin, it doesn&#;t stretch and loosens over time like athletic bandage tape. It also won&#;t degrade over time like elastic bandages. Self-adhesive bandage wrap can also be easily torn by hand, so there&#;s no searching around for scissors when an ice pack or splint needs to be applied immediately.
Self-adhesive bandage wraps are an effective way to provide support for injured areas of the body. They can be used on sprains, strains, and other injuries as a wrap or a sling to stabilize the area.
They are a useful addition to any healthcare toolbox, whether in an athletic first aid kit, an ambulance, or an emergency room. You can find self-adhesive bandage wraps along with almost every type of bandage at Penn Care. Gauze bandages, water-resistant wound dressings, and even Band-Aids are available at the best prices when you shop Penn Care&#;s selection of medical supplies and devices.
Are you interested in learning more about What Are Adhesive Bandages Used For? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!