Do you need to bandage a wound or injury? Most first aid kits contain sterile gauze, absorbent bandages, medical tape, bandage rolls, and a triangular bandage, in addition to regular plasters. In an emergency, you can use a clean, absorbent material as a bandage. Slightly different techniques are required to apply dressings to deep cuts, treat severe puncture wounds, manage open fractures and burns. Make sure you know how to move correctly before proceeding.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Apply Patches
Step 1. Know when to use this type of dressing
Patches come in many shapes and sizes. They are perfect for protecting small cuts, scrapes or minor injuries. They are particularly effective for lesions on the hands and / or fingers, as they can cover small ones without difficulty and remain firmly attached even when applied at abnormal angles.
Step 2. Choose the correct size
There are packs with assorted patches and packs with only one model and size. When choosing the type of patch, make sure the padded gauze is larger than the wound you need to cover.
Step 3. Remove the wrapper
Most patches consist of a strip of adhesive fabric or elastic material on which a small piece of gauze is placed; each is individually packaged. Remove it from the wrapping and peel off the protective films from the adhesive side before applying it.
Step 4. Place the gauze over the wound
The patches have a small square of gauze attached to the center of the adhesive strip. Let the swab make contact with the wound. Be careful not to cover the cut with the sticky part, otherwise you will reopen it when you remove the patch.
- If necessary, you can apply a small amount of antibacterial ointment to the gauze before covering the wound.
- Try not to touch the gauze with your fingers, so as not to transfer germs and dirt to it.
Step 5. Apply the sticker firmly
When the cut is covered with gauze, gently stretch the sticky part and glue it to the skin surrounding the wound. Make sure there are no loose areas or gaps between the skin and the patch, so that it is secure.
Step 6. Replace it regularly
You need to remove and replace the patch frequently. When you change it, be sure to clean and dry the wound carefully and allow it to be exposed to fresh air for a few minutes before sticking on the new bandage. When you remove the patch, be careful not to jerk or pull the cut.
You should replace the patches every time they get wet; you should also change them as soon as the gauze pad becomes soaked with the fluids oozing from the lesion
Method 2 of 5: Apply an Elastic Bandage
Step 1. Know when to use an elastic bandage
If the wound is too large to cover with a plaster, it is best to protect it with gauze and an elastic bandage. This bandage pattern is ideal for large injuries on the extremities, such as the arms or legs, as it wraps neatly around the limb.
Step 2. Secure the gauze
Elastic bandages are not designed to cover wounds. You must therefore first of all dress the lesion by protecting it with a sterile gauze. Make sure it covers the entire cut; it is best to use a type of gauze that is slightly larger than the lesion itself.
- If necessary, you can put duct tape around the edges of the dressing to hold it in place while you wrap it with the bandage.
- Again, you can apply antibacterial ointment to the gauze pad to help the wound heal.
Step 3. Wrap the bandage
When the gauze is well in place, you need to cover the area with the bandage. Start from the area downstream of the wound and move upwards, making sure that each coil overlaps the previous one for half its width. You can stop when you reach the area upstream of the injury.
Step 4. Secure the bandage
Once applied, you need to block the free end. You can use different materials for this, such as a piece of duct tape or metal hooks. Make sure the bandage is not too tight before fastening it.
Step 5. Change the dressing regularly
To allow the wound to expel fluid and heal, you need to remove the dressing from time to time. Check each time that the lesion is dry and clean by letting it "breathe" in the air for a few minutes. As a general rule, you should replace the dressing at least once a day or whenever fluids soak the gauze pad.
Method 3 of 5: Learn the Basics of Wrapping
Step 1. Know the purpose of the bandage
While many people think it is used to stop bleeding or prevent infection, the bandage is actually meant to hold the gauze in place. The bandages are available with built-in small squares of gauze (such as plasters) or are simply wrapped over a separate sterile pad. This detail is very important, because if you put the bandage over the wound without a dressing, the wound continues to bleed and could become infected. Never apply a bandage directly over a cut.
Step 2. Do not over tighten
If you've ever had a tight bandage applied to you, you know the discomfort it can cause. If the bandage is wrapped too tightly, it can aggravate the trauma and cause pain. It should be snug so that the dressing does not get exposed to the air and loosen, but not to the point that it interferes with blood flow.
Step 3. Use a bandage to treat fractures or dislocations
Not all bandages are used to heal wounds and cuts; you can also use them for broken bones and dislocations. If you are a victim of this type of trauma, you can use a bandage to provide support and protection to the injured area. The only difference from what was previously described is that a dressing is not necessary. In these cases, different bandages are used than similar plasters and bandages. Typically, triangular bandages, "T" bandages or kinesiology tape are chosen to provide support for musculoskeletal trauma.
In this way, any suspected fracture or injury can be supported until medical attention can be sought
Step 4. Know when to see a doctor
Wrapping minor wounds is an appropriate home treatment, but in the case of serious injuries you should only dress up for protective purposes until medical attention can be received. If you are unable to assess the severity of the injury, you should call 911 and get help from the telephone operator.
- If you have bandaged a wound and it does not begin to heal or causes severe pain even after 24 hours, you should see a doctor.
- If the cut is larger than 3 cm, involves underlying tissues and / or has caused areas of skin to be lost, it is best to go to the emergency room.
Step 5. Clean and heal the wounds before dressing them
If you are not in a hurry and are not in an emergency situation, you should take the time to clean the wound thoroughly before bandaging it. Use water to rinse it off and remove debris, as well as soap or disinfectant to kill bacteria. Pat the area dry and apply antiseptic cream to avoid infections. The dressing and bandage should be applied over the ointment.
If there is any debris around the wound, use gauze to scrub it off before washing it, making movements from the cut out. In this way, you allow the water to eliminate the particles that are inside the lesion
Method 4 of 5: Dressing a Minor Wound
Step 1. Use a patch for small cuts
This is the most common bandage and is produced by many pharmaceutical companies. It is perfect for small wounds and abrasions affecting the skin surface. To apply it, remove the protective film and place the gauze pad on the wound. Secure the patch to the skin thanks to the adhesive tabs, being careful not to pull them too hard, otherwise they will come off.
Step 2. Use a knuckle patch if the lesion is on the fingers and toes
This has a special "H" shape, which simplifies its application on cuts and abrasions of the fingers. Remove the wax paper film and place the flaps between your fingers centering the gauze portion on the wound. This way, the patch stays in place longer. This detail is very important, because the cuts on the fingers affect areas of the body that are subject to a lot of movement.
Step 3. Use a butterfly patch for cuts
This pattern is easily recognizable because it consists of two adhesive strips connected by a narrower central part (just like a butterfly) that is not adhesive. It is used to keep wounds closed and not to absorb blood or prevent infections. If you have suffered a cut injury whose flaps tend to open, you should use this type of patch. Remove the protective film and lay it down so that the adhesive wings are on the sides of the wound. Pull the patch lightly to allow the flaps to come closer. The center portion without glue should be directly above the cut.
You should put a piece of sterile gauze, taped on, over the butterfly patch for at least the first 24 hours to prevent infection as the wound heals
Step 4. Use gauze and medical tape to protect a burn
If you have suffered a minor burn (the symptoms are redness, swelling, slight pain and the affected area is no wider than 7-8 cm), you can treat it at home with a piece of sterile gauze, preferably non-stick, as even first-degree burns can suddenly blister. Use medical tape to secure the dressing in place, making sure it does not come into contact with burned skin.
Step 5. Use a skin protection patch to protect a blister
It is a special type of patch made of foam-like material, on which an adhesive is applied. It is used to avoid friction on the blisters. The skin protector typically has a donut shape with a hole in the center that needs to be placed over the bubble. Remove the protective film and lay the patch so that the blister is in the "donut hole". This simple step prevents friction and relieves pressure on the affected area. When finished, you can apply a regular patch over the skin protector to avoid infection if the blister breaks.
You can make a skin protection patch yourself by taking several pieces of gauze and forming a layer slightly thicker than the blister. Cut a hole in the center so the edges don't touch the bladder. Place the gauze over the area and add a strip of masking tape to block everything
Method 5 of 5: Bandage Serious Wounds
Step 1. Apply a compression bandage
In case of severe cuts and abrasions, you must use this type of bandage. It is a long piece of thin gauze with a padded portion near one end. The thickest area should rest over the wound while the rest of the band is wrapped around to apply pressure and keep the dressing in place. This type of bandage is perfect for avoiding heavy bleeding from wounds or abrasions. You can use medical tape to secure it in place.
Step 2. Use a donut bandage
It is useful for covering puncture and penetrating wounds. If there is a foreign body stuck in the wound, such as a large shard of glass, a piece of wood or metal, you need to choose this type of bandage. It is a thick bandage, molded in an "O" shape, which relieves pressure from the foreign body and the area of penetration. Leave the object in the wound (do not attempt to pull it out) and arrange the bandage all around. Then use medical tape to wrap the donut and hold it in place. Do not apply gauze or tape to the center of the dressing where the foreign body is located.
You can make such a bandage by rolling a triangular band or shoulder strap to form a tight spiral; then adapts the size of the central hole according to the diameter of the object penetrated into the skin (roll the bandage around one finger, more than one or the hand). Grab the loose ends of the spiral, pull them through the center, around the outside of the spiral, and then back into the ring. Tuck the ends of the bandage back into the center of the donut structure to secure them. This way, you can build support for different types of injuries
Step 3. Choose a triangular bandage
This bandage is ideal for locking a dislocated joint or fractured bone. In appearance it looks small, but it can be opened into a large triangular fabric. To use it, it must be bent into the most appropriate shape to support a fractured or dislocated limb. Fold the triangle to form a rectangle and tie the ends to create a shoulder strap. Alternatively, wrap it around the splint or bone to provide some support. You can use this type of bandage for a wide range of injuries, at your discretion.
Step 4. Use the rolled bandages
Choose them to treat second-degree burns that are larger than 7-8cm, red, swollen, painful and covered with blisters. While you should never try to bandage third-degree burns, you should use gauze for second-degree burns. Wrap it around the wound and secure it with tape. This bandage protects damaged skin from irritants and infectious agents, without interfering with blood circulation and without applying pressure.
Step 5. Get an elastic bandage for deep cuts or accidental amputations
It is made of elastic material that can apply a lot of pressure on areas that bleed profusely. If you have gotten a very deep cut or had an accidental amputation, try to remove as much blood as possible and then cover the area with a thick layer of sterile gauze. Wrap the elastic bandage over the gauze and around the wound applying pressure to reduce the bleeding.
Try to lift the injured area higher than the heart before bandaging it to reduce blood supply and the risk of shock. This way, you should also be able to wrap the bandage more easily
Advice
- Pay attention to infections. You should see your doctor if you notice an unpleasant-smelling grayish or yellowish discharge oozing from the wound, if your body temperature exceeds 38 ° C, if you experience intense throbbing pain, if the area is very red, or if you notice red streaks that radiate from the lesion.
- Use tweezers to remove debris from the cut only if rescuers can't respond immediately. If not, wait for a professional to take care of the matter.
- Learn to deal with shock. It is a syndrome that occurs when an individual suffers severe trauma and, if neglected, can be fatal. The main indicator of this state is pale, cold and sweaty skin. Have the patient lie on his back and raise his legs, taking care that the knees are bent. If possible, wrap it in a warm blanket paying special attention to the ends. Speak in a quiet, reassuring voice, ask the victim open-ended questions to get her to talk (ask her name or tell you when she first met her spouse). Call the ambulance immediately.
- Have a first aid kit on hand. The injuries described in this article can be treated effectively with the help of bandages found in a standard first aid kit alone. Find out where the kit is stored in the office, keep one in the house and another in the car.
- When faced with a serious injury, your priority is always to control the bleeding. Infections can be treated later.
- If you have a large peel in a place on your body that is not easy to bandage (such as the knee or elbow), try applying the liquid patch. You can buy it at the pharmacy and also at the supermarket.
- The individually wrapped gauze pads are sterile, as are the gauze pads found on the patches. Try not to touch the area that should adhere to the wound with your fingers.
Warnings
- It is dangerous to use a hand sanitizer on open wounds. Never use it as a substitute for water to wash the wound.
- Wrapping up serious injuries is only a temporary precaution. When the bleeding is under control, try to do everything possible for the patient to receive immediate medical attention.
