Applying wet bandages to a wound is a terrible idea as it creates a breeding ground for infection. If a patient is known to be sensitive to neomycin, plain petrolatum ointment can be used. When more complicated dressings have to be used on the hand, a “mitten-like” bandage that encompasses the entire hand is often recommended. Neosporin is easier to apply to the face than silver sulfadiazine, which needs to be applied in a thick layer. Then dampen the dressing material with filtered water. Topical antibiotic ointments can provide a moist environment for unbandaged wounds. Do you have any other suggestions for making your own wound dressings or bandages? While it certainly works for holding the dressing in place, the problem is that it works too well. The goal is to prevent the stiffening of joints that can occur, especially in elderly patients. I wouldn’t recommend duct tape for bandaging unless you really didn’t have anything else. If it is a small wound, it is better, but if it is a large wound, it may be difficult to bandage without the corresponding knowledge. Improvised Tubular Bandages: Tubular bandages apply pressure all around the wound area, so … See how to make a butterfly bandage here. With the iron at high heat, iron each side of the dressing at least three times. Medical gauze/bandage wrapping method: 1. Carefully remove gauze pads from the … This should be avoided and instead shift the position of the bandage with each wrap. Antibiotic ointment should be applied two to three times daily to prevent dried coagulum buildup that can interfere with suture removal. For small wounds, I have used mullein leaves as an improvised Band-Aid. Wear gloves when you open a package of sterile gauze pads. Even if the leaf looks clean, it contains numerous types of microorganisms which could get into the wound and cause infection. Unfortunately, tape bandages don’t work well on joints because they can pull on the skin and cause the wound to open again. It keeps the wound clean until you can get proper bandages. The original gauze could even be reused if you washed and boiled it. Let’s say that you get injured while camping and don’t have any clean materials to use as a bandage. The petrolatum will soften and disrupt the adhesive. Medical tape is used to tape dressings directly onto the skin. Uncomplicated facial and scalp wounds do not require dressings. How to Use Gauze to Cover a Wound. Depending on the potential for wound drainage and exudation, gauze sponges are placed over the base. Cleaning out all those little cotton ball threads is not a pleasant experience! If direct pressure doesn’t stop the bleeding, apply a tourniquet. Only gold members can continue reading. Continue the … When you go to change the bandage, the duct tape pulls on the skin. Children are more likely to leave Band-Aids in place, because this dressing is recognized as a “badge” for other children to appreciate. You can sterilize wound dressings by boiling them. Like gauze roller bandages, elastic bandages are also long strips of fabric. Specialized dressings for burns are discussed in Chapter 17 . Ordinary dressing Let us know in the comments. The one exception is if you are making DIY butterfly bandages. A good wound covering also has to allow for the passage of exudate so that excessive accumulation does not occur. Type of wound used for: All wounds. Patients can shower between bandage changes, starting 24 to 48 hours following repair. The first decision to make after repairing a wound is whether to apply a dressing at all. Ideally you would apply pressure with a clean compress, such as a heavy gauze pad. They are tied in place, so the knot can be used to apply pressure to wounds to control bleeding. Many forces can disrupt a suture line, ranging from contact with clothing to accidental minor trauma to the wound. Adaptic, Xeroform, and Telfa are examples of nonadherent materials. Strip bandages come in a variety of sizes and types. However, I would never use this on a large wound unless I was really desperate because the risk of infection is too great. When the gauze is removed, it can disrupt healing by disturbing the delicate epithelial covering. Then you’d boil some strips of cloth and carefully hang them to dry. When it came time to change the dressing, you’d use these now-sterile cloths. This can irritate the wound and lead to infection. Make sure you have a first aid kit with items in your bug out bag first aid kit. The image shows an elastic bandage with figure-8 wrapping on a hand injury. Check out our Ebook bundle. Although rest for the injury is necessary, some movement is encouraged within the bandage. Make sure the pad is thick enough to absorb drainage from the wound. Leaves are often very dirty. Roll the gauze wrap around, providing two overlapping layers of wrap. These bandages are ideal for covering small cuts and scrapes and minor wounds. These wounds need the regular application of a petrolatum-based antibacterial ointment to maintain a moist environment and to help prevent crusting that can interfere with suture removal. Because the dressing touches the wound, it must be: Ideally, the dressing material is also white so you can see any signs of infection on it better. When the decision is made to apply a dressing, the following principles should be observed: The wound must remain moist. It is very difficult to remove these fibers from the wound and they could even lead to an infection. Tubular bandages apply pressure all around the wound area, so are particularly good for controlling pressure. However, it takes a long time for bandages to dry. While holding the pad in place, gently begin wrapping a gauze bandage over it. They also reduce dry exudate, or scab, formation, which makes suture removal much easier. Thus, the only time boiling bandages makes sense is if you already have some sterile gauze on hand. Neosporin, Polysporin, and Bacitracin are commonly used. After repair, an antibacterial ointment can be thinly and gently spread over the wound. In a pinch, use any absorbent material will do. This type of bandage is used on narrow gaping wounds (such as knife wounds). Gauze Bandage Roll. Before applying the bandage, you’ll need to: Bandages are made out of two parts: a dressing and the bandage. The base of a dressing, the portion in direct contact with the wound surface, should not be adherent. Bandaging the wound with a dirty piece of t-shirt could lead to infection. Some gauze dressings can be used to cover a wound and other gauze dressings may be packed into a wound.