How to Use a Band-Aid Patch Properly (and Which Are Best)

A little over a hundred years ago, a New Jersey cotton buyer had a visionary idea that changed the world of first aid. It was easy to apply protection for minor scratches, cuts and burns. Yes: we are talking precisely about the plaster patch, one of the main protagonists of any medicine cabinet, present in all bathrooms and in a good part of the world’s handbags, backpacks or bananas.

When Josephine Knight got married Earl Dickson , at the beginning of the 20th century, she also took on the role of a housewife. Her duties included preparing dinner and other meals, something some people may find easy but for others, like Josephine, it’s a real challenge to maneuver between sharp knives, steaming pots and hot ovens. . Because of this, minor burns and cuts began to proliferate on his hands, wounds that had no solution but to be covered with a piece of cloth tied at one end, which did not last long in place. .

“A sensible trick, no doubt, but perhaps not the safest nor the most sterile”, they report on the site of Johnson & Johnson . As her husband worked in this company then specialized in medical supplies, she shared with him her difficulties and one day she returned home with antiseptic gauze, surgical tape and crinoline fabric (to prevent it from sticking to him- same), and together they designed the first prototype of the bandage patch. Band-aid was called in English, patented in 1921, and inducted the Dicksons into the Inventors Hall of Fame.

It was a revolution for home care, so much so that today, as the saying goes, you put on a bandage even before you have a wound. These dressings are used not only for cuts but also for scrapes, scrapes, burns and even to cover acne, often automatically. However, before using or caring for this dressing, care should be taken as the moisture it retains hampers the healing process.

If you’re using Band-Aid patches, you need to do it right.

Cecilia Henríquez, assistant director of nursing at RedSalud, knows that the use of the bandage patch is very common and difficult to avoid, but she still recommends that wounds, especially those that do not require surgery, be exposed to the air. “Always protect it from the sun, so it can heal properly.”

“This type of patch should only be used on small, shallow, extensive wounds,” he says, especially in areas where “friction causes the person pain,” such as the hands or feet.

The most important function of the dressing patch is to “protect the wound from external influences, such as friction and pressure, as well as to prevent contamination”. That’s why “use and how long it should stay on a wound will depend on how long it’s been exposed to clothing or dirt.”

Henríquez says that if the person is an adult, is at home, and without too much exposure or risk of opening or contaminating the wound, try to keep the affected area outdoors. With children it may be different. “We know that toddlers are continually exposed to drops or contact with different surfaces, so having the option of a bandage patch on them can be a good solution to protect the area,” he points out.

First, the wound area should be clean and dry. “Otherwise, the dirt can stay there and cause an infection,” says Henríquez. To avoid issues, please provide the following process:

Step 1

Wash the wound with plenty of tap water and neutral soap, then rinse very well. “Avoid using cotton, alcohol (which also kills regenerative cells), powders or other ointments,” he says.

2nd step

Dry the wound with gauze, not the bath towel (which may be dirty). “The drying must be done in small touches from the inside out, without rubbing”, he explains.

Step 3 (optional)

Apply a disinfectant solution. “Especially if the wound has been exposed to dirt or a contaminant,” he says.

Step 4

Finally cover with a Band-Aid patch. The RedSalud specialist recommends changing them frequently, especially when they are wet, because “if the wound is macerated, very moist when removing the patch, it is recommended to stop using it”.

When the wound exceeds the dimensions of the dressing, it is better to use a dressing – square and more extensive patches -, “of the transparent or foam type, which can then be fixed with an adhesive fabric”, explains Henríquez. There are some, like these Nexcare ones, that don’t stick to the skin, making them easier to remove. These dressings should be changed every 24 hours or as soon as they become wet.

For example, in home environments or sports activities, it is common to generate cuts, scratches or even minor burns. For this, the specialist recommends “washing, disinfecting and using this type of semi-permeable dressings, which allow the exchange of moisture, accelerate healing and avoid friction with clothing and other elements that can cause discomfort or pain. “.

In these cases, there is also usually heavy bleeding. For this, Henriquez suggests “pressing the area with sterile gauze for five minutes, directly and evenly, and thus stopping the bleeding”.

“If despite the compression the bleeding does not stop, or when there are objects that have become embedded in the wound, then the best thing is to go to the emergency room”, explains the specialist, because in this place it will be possible to better assess the need for and treatment of the wound.

Usually, in the decision to buy a Band-Aid patch, the price may prevail, which is often not reciprocated by its effectiveness, even charity, since it is common to buy them from street vendors with pitiful speeches .

But what is essential in bandage patches are the glues they provide and the way they adhere to our skin. According to duke a leading American medical product development and manufacturing brand, there are three attributes we need to consider when selecting an adhesive bandage:

The idea is that the patch will last at least a day to protect the wound and therefore should not fray, break or fall apart. The point is to help us not worry a little about the pain, not cause us another annoyance.

This is the “viscosity” of the material. Different levels of grip provide longer wear and different levels of comfort when removed. Adhesion should also be considered on aged, sensitive or delicate skin. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a bandage that comes off after two hours or ends up tearing your finger off like a different size ring.

It is the ability of the patch fabric or material to allow moisture vapor generated by the body to escape. Ensuring that a wound has adequate breathability ensures an ideal environment for healing. Conversely, a patch that retains too much moisture can end up impairing the healing process, as moist skin is less able to regenerate.

Although many may not know it, Band-Aid patches have different materials, which gives them different benefits and characteristics.

Plastic patches provide soft and flexible wound coverage. It is an inexpensive material (but very polluting), even if there are biodegradable formats.

Equate patches have been tested by members of Práctico and with very good results. Coming from the universe of classic options that can be found in pharmacies or supermarkets, this brand offers very good adhesion —it manages to stay in place for 24 hours—, water resistance and excellent aesthetics, since they are totally transparent.

For many people, fabric is the most comfortable material in a Band-Aid patch because it is flexible and conforms comfortably to the body. It is also a good alternative for more sensitive skin, although it is not as resistant as the plastic ones.

This material moisturizes and keeps the skin supple, which helps relieve pain. It is focused on the regeneration of irritated nipples of nursing mothers, whose skin does not necessarily have sores but shows a lot of burning and sensitivity. Unlike other patches, these provide moisture to the area. They should not be used for other types of injuries.

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of April 14, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.