As much as we try to avoid injuries, they can still happen to the best of us. Sometimes, all it takes is a small cut or a scrape to throw our day off. Luckily self-adhesive medical tapes are readily available to speed up our healing process and restore our routine promptly.
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So, what exactly is a medical tape? Simply put, it is an adhesive tape designed for medical purposes. It has various types, made from different materials depending on the intended use and specific medical application requirements.
The main purpose of medical adhesive tape is to:
Now that we know what medical adhesive tape is, let's look at the different types of medical adhesive tapes available in the market today.
Medical and surgical procedures require specific types of medical-grade adhesive tapes. Understanding the appropriate skin-safe adhesive for a particular wound or for post-surgical care is essential to speed up the healing process. Here are some of the most common medical adhesives you will find in your local pharmacies:
This medical tape is commonly used due to its thin and gentle-on-skin material. Most paper medical adhesives are microporous, allowing breathability and flexibility to a certain degree. They are often hypoallergenic and recommended for elderly patients. Paper tapes are easily torn, making it convenient to bring on emergency first aid kits.
Made from a woven fabric material, this medical tape is stronger and more durable than paper tape. It is used to secure heavier dressings and immobilize joints. Notably, it is highly resistant to water and sweat. This makes it an ideal choice to tie splints in place when administering first aid for fractures and sprains.
This medical adhesive tape has a soft, foam-like material that provides extra cushioning and support. It is well-suited for securing dressings on areas of the body that experience frequent movements, such as elbows and knees.
This tape is made from a clear, plastic material nearly invisible on the skin. It has skin-safe plastic backings that give it a level of waterproofing. It is commonly utilized to secure dressings on the face or other visible areas of the body.
Now that we know the different types of medical adhesive tapes, let's talk about how to use them.
Before applying the tape, clean the area around the wound. Thorough cleaning will help prevent infection and ensures that the tape sticks properly. Once the area is clean and dry, select the appropriate type of tape based on the type and location of the wound.
When applying the tape, make sure it's not too tight or too loose. It should be snug enough to hold the dressing in place, but not so tight that it impedes circulation or causes discomfort. If you're using cloth tape or foam tape, use scissors to cut it to the right size.
Change the dressing and tape regularly to prevent infection and promote healing. Depending on the severity of the wound, you may need to change it every day or every few days. When removing the tape, be gentle and slow to avoid causing further discomfort or damage to the skin.
Medical tape is a simple yet indispensable tool for anyone who wants to stay prepared for injuries and accidents. By knowing the different types of medical adhesive tapes and how to use them properly, you can help ensure that wounds heal quickly and without complications.
Another crucial way to ensure faster and more effective wound healing is to source your medical adhesive supplies only from a reputable supplier.
DermaMed Coatings Company is the global leading supplier of medical-grade adhesive tapes for the skin. We offer a wide range of products, including woven and non-woven medical tapes, breathable films, absorbents, foam adhesives, transfer adhesives, and polyurethane tapes.
Are you looking for excellent medical-grade adhesive tapes to stock your store and pharmacies with? Contact us today!
Medical tape is a tape that is designed for safe and comfortable use on the skin, often to protect or prevent injuries. There are lots of different types of medical tape available, each designed with a specific function in mind ' and some tailored towards specific injuries. That being said, there tends to be four main types.
The four main types of medical tape are: micropore, retention, strapping and sports (more often known as zinc-oxide tape).
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Find out more about what each medical tape does, and when you might need to use them, in this guide.
Micropore Tape
Micropore tape is a lightweight tape that is designed to secure plasters, dressings and bandages. It's a non-stretch medical tape, which makes it easy to tear by hand, and is most suited for frequently changed bandages (without leaving a sticky residue).
Tiny holes, or micropores, in the tape make micropore tape breathable.
As a low-allergy paper tape, micropore tape is suitable for sensitive skin (as well as for 'at risk' skin).
Sports Tape (Zinc Oxide)
Sports tape is a strong non-stretch cotton fabric that provides rigid support, and can immobilise joints. It's designed for extended wear as a long-lasting and kind-to-skin adhesive. This tape tends to work well in humid environments, and can tolerate high levels of sweat and movement.
Most zinc oxide tapes are suitable for delicate skin because there is a reduced risk of skin tears and tape burns.
You might use zinc oxide tape to prevent soft tissue damage and other sports injuries, as well as to protect wounds and stabilize injuries.
Strapping Tape
Similar to a sports tape, medical strapping tape is designed to stabilise and fasten an injured joint or sprain.
Most strapping tapes are hypo-allergenic and wash-proof, with a strong adhesive for long-lasting wear.
You might need to use this after an injury to protect yourself from injuring yourself further when you're ready to get back into exercise or your preferred sport.
Rigid strapping tape can also be used to prevent injuries. It does this by supporting your joints and tendons to minimise painful or excessive movement.
Retention Tape
Retention tape is ideal for fixing dressings to the skin. As a soft, pliable and porous non-woven polyester fabric tape, it conforms to all areas of the body and causes minimal trauma to the patient upon removal.
Retention tape is, however, permeable to air and water vapour.
At morSafe, we stock a range of high-quality and reliable medical tapes, with free next day delivery available. If you need more guidance, please contact us on 611 377 or .
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