Bandages
- Fingertip Bandages
- The fingertip bandage is shaped to enable it to be applied to a curved surface without wrinkling. It can be used to protect a small abrasion on the finger, toe, chin or nose, as well as protect a shallow laceration on the finger or thumb.
- Knuckle Bandages
- The four adhesive flaps on the knuckle bandage allow it to remain securely in place over a curved or moving area. They can be used to cover an abrasion on a curved area, like the heel or chin, or a cut on the back of the elbow, or any other area where the skin stretches or moves. They can of course be used to protect a shallow laceration on a knuckle.
- Large Plasters
- The large plasters can be used to cover a wound of intermediate size and they will usually be used to cover an abrasion or superficial burn. They will offer the best protection on an area of the skin that remains fairly flat and does not stretch or move.
- Small Plasters
- These can be used to cover a simple, small wound which does not require any padding or compression. They are ideal to be used on an area of the skin that does not stretch or move.
- Wound Closure Tape
- Wound closure tape is also known as Steri-Strips and are ideal for use on partial thick cuts. They are able to close longer lacerations than a butterfly bandage. Whenever any wound is being treated care should be taken to ensure that is has been properly cleaned before applying any bandage.
- Non Adherent Dressing Pads
- These are useful to cover open wounds such as abrasions and burns. The Non adherent dressing pad keeps the dressing from sticking to the wound and therefore ensures the comfort of a patient.
- Gauze Pads
- The gauze pad cushions and protects the wound and they also prevent dryness in an open wound. The gauze pad should not be placed directly onto a wound as they will stick to the wound, however they do allow blood and fluids to pass through and be absorbed.
- Eye Pads
- These padded dressings are used to keep the eye shut following minor eye injuries. The eye pad can be kept in place using micropore tape and if required can be folded to vary the amount of pressure required.
- Roll Gauze
- This is used to secure dressings and comes in a variety of sizes which enable the roll gauze to be used on everything from a finger to a upper arm.
- Padded Roll Gauze
- This can be used to cushion a large wound and allows absorption of blood or puss, whilst preventing dryness in the wound.
- What does Hypoallergenic mean?
- Sometimes people suffer from an allergic reaction to the adhesive used on some plasters and adhesive dressings. The risk of an allergic reaction happening is reduced in plasters that are hypoallergenic. The occurance of allergic reactions is reduced because hypoallergenic plasters contain no common allergens and therefore there is less chance of an allergic reaction happening.
- Why are blue detectable plasters used?
- Blue detectable plasters are used within the catering industry to cover wounds when preparing food. The blue colour is used to ensure the plasters are highly visible and it is essential to buy blue plasters to maintain hygiene standards within the kitchen.
- What makes a good dressing?
- The healing process is encouraged by a warm, moist environment which prevents dehydration and cell death. A suitable dressing will therefore maintain a moist environment at the wound surface and provide both insulation and protection against disease.
In addition the dressing should be non adherent which will enable it to be removed without additional trauma.
Three Steps to a good dressing
In order to aid in the healing process three simple steps should be followed: Clean, Disinfect and Cover.- Clean
Initially it is very important to clean the affected area and remove any debris and other contaminants. This can be done by using an alcohol wipe, or warm water and soap if no antiseptic wipes are available. The wound should be dried off properly to ensure that maximum adhesion is achieved from the plaster. By carrying out the cleaning process it will help reduce the immediate risk of infection.
- Disinfect
The risk of further infection can be reduced by applying a cetrimide cream which will help prevent infection whilst not stinging when applied to an open wound.
- Cover
It is a common misconception that the best treatment for a wound is to leave it uncovered. Indeed by leaving a wound uncovered you are increasing the risk of infection. By keeping a wound covered until it has fully healed you are protecting it from dirt and germs that can cause infection.
