In daily life, Band-Aids seems to be the first choice for many people to treat wounds. However, you may not know that if Band-Aids are used incorrectly on some wounds, they will not only fail to protect them, but may also cause serious infections or even worse consequences. As a professional wound dressing factory, we have the responsibility to popularize the correct wound care knowledge to help everyone avoid unnecessary injuries.

Correct use of Band-Aids :

Band-Aids are mainly used to treat some small and shallow wounds, especially those cuts that are neat, and clean, do not bleed much, and do not require sutures, such as knife cuts, cuts, glass scratches, etc. These wounds are usually relatively simple, and Band-Aids can provide a relatively clean environment for the wound in a short time to promote healing.

Do not use Band-Aids on these seven types of wounds :

1. Small but deep wounds

If a Band-Aid is used on a small and deep wound, it will prevent the discharge of secretions and pus from the wound. This environment is very suitable for bacterial growth and reproduction, which can easily cause or aggravate infection, especially anaerobic bacteria such as tetanus. Therefore, for such wounds, the wound should be kept open to allow natural drainage and professional debridement should be carried out in the hospital if necessary.

2. Burns

Skin ulceration and water discharge after a burn are signs that the wound is healing, but using a Band-Aid at this time will hinder the natural healing process of the wound. The airtight environment of the Band-Aid will prevent the discharge of wound secretions, thereby increasing the risk of infection. The correct approach is to rinse the burned area with cold water to relieve pain and thermal damage, and then gently cover the wound with clean gauze to avoid external contamination.

3. There is foreign matter in the wound

When there is foreign matter in the wound, using a Band-Aid may push the foreign matter further into the wound, causing infection or inflammation. The correct approach is to go to the hospital for debridement first, remove the foreign matter, and then bandage it appropriately. If the wound is heavily contaminated or infected, do not use a Band-Aid to cover the wound, otherwise it will aggravate the infection.

4. Being stabbed by a nail

If you are accidentally injured by a sharp object such as a nail or blade, especially when there is rust on these objects, it is far from enough to simply bandage them with a Band-Aid. Rust contains tetanus bacteria, which are more likely to multiply in a closed environment. Therefore, after being stabbed by a nail, you should clean the wound immediately, keep the wound exposed so that the wound can be observed, and go to the hospital as soon as possible to get a tetanus vaccine to prevent tetanus.

5. Animal scratches and bites

Animals' teeth and claws may carry various germs, such as rabies virus. If you use a band-aid after being scratched or bitten by an animal, the germs will accumulate or spread in the wound. The correct treatment method is to immediately rinse the wound repeatedly with soapy water, then disinfect it with iodine, and expose the wound to the air to reduce the growth of germs. After that, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible to get a rabies vaccine to prevent the occurrence of rabies.

6. Various skin boils

Furuncles are localized purulent infections of the skin, with pus usually accumulating inside. Using Band-Aids will hinder the absorption and drainage of pus, and instead provide a good environment for the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use Band-Aids on furuncles. You should choose other more suitable dressings, such as gauze, to maintain the breathability of the wound and promote the discharge of pus.

7. People who are allergic to adhesive tape

Some people are allergic to Band-Aids or adhesive tapes, which manifests as itching, redness, and small blisters on the skin where the tape is applied. For such people, using Band-Aids may aggravate the allergic reaction and cause skin damage. Therefore, people with a history of adhesive tape allergies should choose other methods of stopping bleeding, or use special anti-allergic adhesive tapes to treat wounds.

How to use Band-Aid correctly ?

Simple disinfection before application

Many people are afraid of getting their wounds wet, so they put on a Band-Aid directly, thinking that the medicine inside the Band-Aid can disinfect. However, this method is wrong. Before using a Band-Aid, you should first check whether there is dirt in the wound. If there is, you need to clean the wound with sterilized saline before putting on the Band-Aid. If the wound is pierced by a nail or something and is deep, you should go to the hospital immediately for treatment and inject tetanus antitoxin.

Change the band-aid at least once a day

Observe the wound at any time: If there is a "pulsating pain" similar to the beating of the pulse, or secretions overflowing from the wound, open it in time to observe whether there is redness, swelling, heat or pain around the wound. If there is, it means that the wound has been infected and you should ask a doctor to treat it immediately.

Protect the wound: Do not pinch the wound with your hands frequently. Keep the wound as mobile as possible to avoid collision to prevent it from splitting.

The usage time should not be too long: Band-Aids should be changed at least once a day to avoid covering the wound for a long time which may cause moisture and breed bacteria.

Don't circle your fingers

Many people are used to wrapping a Band-Aid around their fingers after they injure them, but this ring-shaped bandage is actually dangerous. If the bandage is too tight, it can easily cause poor blood flow to the fingers and toes, slowing down wound healing. For example, a 4-year-old girl in Suzhou had poor wound healing due to the cloth strips and rubber bands outside the Band-Aid affecting blood circulation. Therefore, when a finger is injured, you should avoid ring-shaped bandages and choose a suitable bandage method to ensure smooth blood circulation.

Use a medicated band-aid, be careful of allergies

Generally speaking, there is little difference between medicated and unmedicated Band-Aids, but medicated Band-Aids are more likely to cause allergic reactions. If you feel a burning sensation after applying a Band-Aid, stop using it immediately and observe the skin reaction.

Valid for 3 years

Before using a Band-Aid, be sure to check the expiration date on the outer packaging. Band-Aids older than three years cannot be guaranteed to be sterile and should be discarded as soon as possible once they expire to avoid wound infection caused by using expired products.

Gauze is more reliable than Band-Aid

If it is not an emergency, it is recommended to choose gauze instead of Band-Aid to treat the wound. Gauze is more breathable, absorbs exudate, and is less likely to cause local moisture and infection. In general, take a gauze that is slightly larger than the wound by 1 to 2 cm, apply the medicine cover the wound, and then bandage it with a breathable anti-allergic tape. When using gauze, try to keep the wound clean and dry. If the gauze is contaminated or soaked in water, it should be replaced in time, disinfect the wound and re-bandage it. If the wound is red, swollen, painful, and exuding, it means that it is infected and should be treated immediately in the hospital.

Wound care may seem simple, but if you don't pay attention to the method, it may cause greater harm to the body. Although Band-Aids are convenient, they are not omnipotent. Some wounds should never be treated with Band-Aids. I hope everyone can keep in mind the seven types of wounds mentioned above that are not suitable for Band-Aids, properly treat the wounds, and avoid unnecessary infections and complications. If you have any other questions about wound care, please feel free to consult us. We will provide you with professional advice and high-quality wound dressing products to help you better protect the health of yourself and your family. For more information on Innomed®Hydrocolloid Dressing, Refer to the Previous Articles. If you have customized needs, you are welcome to contact us; You Wholeheartedly. At longterm medical, we transform this data by Innovating and Developing Products that Make Life easier for those who need loving care.

Editor: kiki Jia