Medical wound care bandages are used for various medical conditions, including sprains and veins. Correct bandaging will greatly influence how well the condition heals and how long it takes.
See below to learn how to apply compression bandages for better and faster healing. Bandages come in many forms, and we thought we should teach you how to apply them.
Adhesive wound care Bandages
Make sure you choose an adhesive bandage with the size that will cover your wound. There are a variety of sizes available for adhesive strip bandages, whether for a small cut or a larger scratch. Ensure the bandage's gauze section is large enough to keep bacteria out of your wound. You may need to apply a gauze dressing instead of an adhesive application if your wound is not large enough.
You can remove the backing paper by flipping the bandage over and holding on to the loose edge. Slowly remove the backing paper from the adhesive without touching the gauze pad after peeling off the backing paper. If the adhesive sticks to itself, just bend the backing paper in half while holding the bandage. Once you get the first piece off, remove the second piece to expose the adhesive. You can apply gauze to the wound and remove the backing paper once the bandage is placed.
Hold the padded gauze section of the bandage directly over the wound while the gauze is positioned over the wound. Be careful not to apply the adhesive tape now to the wound as it may cause irritation or reopen the cut. Do not touch the gauze with your fingers to prevent the bandage from becoming dirty or contaminated.
When you have covered the wound with gauze, press the adhesive gently against it. Once the adhesive part is stretched and pushed onto your skin, ensure that it does not have any gaps or slack in its adhesive tape, as bacteria could get into the wound and cause an infection. Make sure there is no slack or gaps in your bandage so that it stays firmly in one place.
Changing your bandage at least once a day is important. Change it if the gauze gets wet or if it soaks through the gauze. Gently pull your bandage off instead of tugging or ripping it to avoid hurting your skin or reopening your wound. You should stop using bandages once your wound is fully healed.
Knuckle Bandages
On your knuckle, apply a knuckle bandage by pressing the gauze against it. You can peel off the backing paper of the bandage to expose the gauze. You can also cut the adhesive ends of a strip bandage in half to make wings if you don't have a knuckle bandage on hand. Remove the backing paper, so the gauze is exposed. Gently set it against your wound, so it's completely covered.
For attaching the wings, you will need to remove the backing paper from one side. Working on two wings simultaneously is better to ensure they don't stick together. Remove the backing paper from one side of the bandage completely. Wrap the wings around your finger, above and below the knuckle joint. Ensure the bandage is smooth; even so, there are no raised areas. The wings fit around the finger so your knuckle can be easily bent without the bandage falling off or coming loose.
Put the final adhesive wings on your skin. Remove the backing paper from the other side of the bandage and throw it away. Next, wrap the wings around your finger on the other side. Make sure it isn't so tight that it cuts off your circulation. Lift one of the wings and loosen up the bandage if it feels uncomfortable.
Once your bandage gets wet, you should replace it. If fluids from your wound soak through your gauze or if you get your hands wet, gently peel off the bandage. You can stop using bandages once your injury has fully healed. Clean your wound and let it air out for a few minutes before you put it on again.
Roller bandages
An application of roller bandages is as follows:
Ensure that the rolled part of the bandage is placed above the injury and the unrolled part is placed below. Wrap the bandage twice around the injury to secure it.
Wrap the bandage spirally around the limb, ensuring each layer covers half the previous layer. Seal the end of the application by wrapping it once more.
You can apply bandages to elbows and knees to hold dressings secure or support sprains and strains by flexing the joint slightly, forming an 8 shape, and extending the bandage on each side pretty far.
To apply bandages to hands, work from the wrist inside to the ending of the little finger, leaving the thumb free so dressings stay in place or sprains and strains are supported.
Tubular bandages
The tubular bandages are usually made of seamless fabric tubes to support injured joints or hold dressings on fingers or toes. You can buy elasticized gauze to place over your ankles and fingers. Tubular gauze can cover toes and fingers but does not apply any pressure. Cutting a tubular bandage into smaller pieces may be necessary before applying it over an injury.
Should I use a bandage?
You shouldn't cover a wound that doesn't get dirty or get rubbed by clothing. If the wound isn't in an area where it will get dirty, you don't have to cover it.
An adhesive bandage, sterile gauze, and adhesive tape, or skin adhesive are recommended if the wound is in an area that will get dirty or irritated by clothing (such as your hands or knees). Change the adhesive strip or gauze daily to keep the wound clean and dry.
Keeping certain wounds moist and clean is important to reduce scarring and speed up healing, such as scrapes covering a large body area. It is possible to buy occlusive or semiocclusive bandages without a prescription from drug stores. Your family doctor will tell you if this bandage is right for you.
Post-Injury Follow-Up Care
It is important to change your bandages frequently, use the right products at each stage of recovery, and ensure that you use the right applications and care for your skin. Different sets of healing require different types of wound care bandages to change the dressings. If you do this, you will reduce the risk of infection and skin reaction.
Knowing how to apply wound care bandages correctly, you are ready to stock up on wound care supplies. Check out Sky Medical Supplies' selection of wound care supplies to prepare for any emergency.