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A first-aid tool you can stick with
First-aid tape comes in mighty handy when bandages won't do the job or simply aren't around. Because most gauze and synthetic dressings don't adhere to your skin on their own, you need first-aid tapes to keep them in place. Think of these as homemade bandages, custom-fit just for you. Newer, high-tech tapes no longer require a shot of strong moonshine just prior to removal: they are designed to let your skin breathe and leave as little adhesive behind as possible. However, you may still want to consider shaving hair near a wound prior to putting on first aid tape, because you'll get a better seal if the tape is adhering directly to skin.
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Treating a Wound
First-aid tapes are an essential part of any first-aid kit. When a bandage is not the right size or shape to cover a wound or if bleeding is too profuse, you may need to turn to gauze products or synthetic dressings in order to cover the wound and protect it. The problem with most gauze products and synthetic dressings is that they require secondary dressings like first-aid tape because they do not stick to the skin on their own.
Please note that contrary to previous practice, extensive research has confirmed that treating a wound by leaving it open to air or drying it with gauze may actually hinder recovery and increase the chance of infection and scarring. Healthcare professionals now advocate maintaining a moist, clean environment for the wound as an ideal way to promote healing.
Oozing wounds are a sign of damage. Consult the advice of a healthcare provider if your wound has been oozing for more than 24 hours.
First-Aid Tape Choices
New technology has created first-aid tapes that stay put even under intense wear and tear and transfer little to no adhesive to the skin upon removal. They also come in many types and grades. In most cases, pharmacies will carry the more basic first-aid tapes.
First-aid tapes can come with combinations of the following options:
- Hand-tearable tape or tape that requires cutting
- Hypoallergenic adhesive for those allergic to traditional adhesives
- Plastic, paper, or cloth
- Waterproof
- Transparency, for less visible dressings
- Breathable or porous tapes
Find the tape that suits your lifestyle and needs. For example, if the wound is in an area that needs to be washed frequently, such as the hands, choose a waterproof tape. However, to allow the skin to breathe, try alternating with a breathable tape when you change your dressings. We do not suggest the exclusive use of waterproof tape because your skin and the wound do need to breathe.
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Uses of First-Aid Tape
- First-aid tapes are designed to help gauze products and synthetic dressings adhere to your wound.
Technical Aspects of First-Aid Tape
- First-aid tapes have gone hi-tech, and are now designed to transfer little to no adhesive to your skin upon removal as well as to allow your skin to breathe.
- Some tapes are designed to be waterproof. This increases their adhesive qualities but does not allow the skin to breathe. We suggest using breathable tape when you do not plan to be in contact with water.
Assessing the Damage
- Abrasions are wounds resulting from friction or rubbing injuries. They are not deep and only extend to the top level of the dermis (the second layer of skin).
- Punctures are the result of sharp objects jabbing into and piercing the skin. They typically break through the epidermis (topmost layer of skin) into the dermis (the second layer of skin). Sometimes, punctures penetrate deeper than the dermis -- a very dangerous situation. These should definitely be examined by a physician for debris and the depth of damage. Also, consult a physician if the puncture was caused by a rusty object. You may then need a tetanus shot.
- Lacerations are cuts from such sharp objects such as knives. Like punctures, lacerations can penetrate many layers of tissue and should be evaluated by a physician.
Treating Minor Cuts and Scrapes
- Your first priority, if you have a small cut, is to stop the bleeding. If possible, raise the wound above heart level to reduce pain and bleeding. This can be easily accomplished if you lay down. You can also stop bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with your fingers.
- Next, clean out the wound.
- The point of cleaning the wound is not just to clean the skin around the wound but to clean inside the wound.
- Even if it hurts, you need to irrigate the wound with soap and water or just water. This does not mean just letting a light stream of water trickle over the injury. Water must be of significant pressure to flush all the dirt out of the wound.
- One of the best ways to get adequate pressure is to fill a 10cc, 18 gauge syringe with water or saline solution, point it at the wound, and spray. Don't prick yourself.
- If you have an abrasion with small pebbles stuck under your skin, consult a doctor. These can get trapped under the skin as the wound closes.
- Only very diluted antiseptics should be used inside the wound. Antiseptics may be used on the intact skin around the wound up to three times per day.
- Only five substances have been classified by the FDA as safe and effective as first-aid and pre-operative antiseptics:
- Iodine tincture (USP)
- Povidone-iodine complex (5% to 10%)
- Iodine topical solution (2% to 7%)
- Alcohol (60% to 95%)
- Isopropyl alcohol (50% to 91.3%)
- Are you surprised that you didn't find hydrogen peroxide on the list? Though it is one of the most widely used at-home first-aid antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide is one of the weakest antiseptics on the market. It can cause tissue damage because of the fizzing and should never be poured into abscesses.
- Even saline solution (nine grams of salt per one liter of water) will do an adequate job as an antiseptic.
- A topical antibiotic can be applied if the wound is not a deep puncture.
- The following antibiotics were deemed safe and effective by the FDA:
- Bacitracin
- Neomycin
- Chlortetracycline hydrochloride
- Combination products containing oxytetracycline hydrochloride
- Polymyxin B sulfate
- Usually, applying both an antiseptic and an antibiotic is not necessary; one will suffice.
- The most important thing is to clean the wound thoroughly. You have until eight hours after the injury occurs to clean the wound thoroughly.
- Make sure the skin that the adhesive will be sticking to is dry, otherwise the adhesive won't stick properly
- Cover the wound with a dressing that will keep it moist, while allowing oxygen exchange. A topical antibiotic can be applied if the wound is not a deep puncture.
Applying a Bandage
- Make sure that the skin is completely dry and all cleansers have been thoroughly rinsed.
- You might consider shaving the area to reduce pain when you have to change the dressing and remove adhesive tape.
- If shaving is impossible or undesirable, consider using paper first-aid tape as a barrier between your skin and the adhesive tape.
- If your dressing will require frequent changing, using paper first-aid tape can be helpful in avoiding the pain of removing adhesive tape and possible irritation from adhesives.
- Hold the gauze in place and tape around the edges of the gauze. Don't tape over the gauze that sits on top of the wound. You want to avoid any chance of the gauze sticking to the wound.
- Never apply a bandage too tightly. This can hinder the healing of the wound.
- Do not change the dressing often. Frequent changes can slow the healing process by removing new layers of skin. Change it only if it is dirty.
- Check to see that the wound is healing properly. In particular, check for infection. A noxious smell and worsening pain are signs of infection, but initial redness and swelling are not. Other signs of infection are crusty, oozing lesions and fever.
- Consult a physician if you suspect infection or if the wound occurred in a dirty area. Do not risk infection.
- Bandages should be changed:
- When the gauze pad is saturated with fluid from the wound
- If the skin has become dirty
- After excessive sweating
- After showering or if the bandage has become wet
- If unpleasant odors are coming from the gauze pad.
Wounds a Doctor Should Treat
- Deep punctures or lacerations
- Wounds that do not heal
- Infected wounds
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Using Tape To Hold Gauze On Wounds
- Make sure the tape does not adhere to any broken skin. Pulling the tape off can cause trauma to the injury site.
- If you notice that your skin is itching around the tape areas, you may be allergic to the adhesive. Remove the tape immediately. Wash and carefully dry the skin and switch to a hypoallergenic tape.
When the Injury Is Serious
- If you have been punctured by a rusty object, seek the advice of a doctor as you will need a tetanus shot.
- Puncture wounds that are deep need to be treated by a doctor -- bacteria and dirt can be impossible to remove at home and can cause infection.
- What is considered a deep puncture wound? Use common sense. A deep wound on the bottom of the foot should absolutely be seen by a doctor, while a one-third-inch-deep puncture in your buttock is less serious.
- Seek the advice of a doctor if you have an abrasion that affects a large portion of your body or if pebbles and dirt are trapped under the skin.
- If the wound is near an artery, it is best to seek the advice of a doctor.
- If you cannot stop the bleeding, seek the advice of a doctor.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. American Medical Association.The American Medical Association: Guide to your family's symptoms. Washington, D.C.: American Pharmaceutical Association 1992.
- 2. Fauci, Anthony S. et al. Eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. New York: MacGraw Hill 1998.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Rahman, Shireen."Sportin' slips: how to prevent and care for sports injuries". Diabetes Forecast; Vol. 48 1/1/1995.
- 2. Schwade, Steve."Bandage wrap-up". Prevention; Vol. 46 6/1/1994.
- 3. Accerrano, Anthony."First aid for wounds". Sports Afield; Vol. 211 1/1/1994.
- 4. Tilton, Buck."Medical cover-ups". Backpacker; Vol. 23 8/1/1995.
- 5. Leibowitz, Ed. "Hot spot bandages try to keep everyone covered". Newsday; 1993.
- 6. Weiss, Eric A. "How to repair your skin: What to do on those occasions when a bandage just isn't enough". Backpacker; Vol. 23 10/1/1995.
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