Do you have a cut or injury that needs a bandage? Most First Aid (First Aid in Accident) boxes come with sterile gauze, absorbent bandages, medical tape, rolled bandages, triangular bandages, and tape. In an emergency situation, any material that absorbs liquid can be used as a bandage. Methods of using bandages to cover deep cuts, severe stab wounds, burns, and broken bones vary slightly. Learn the proper method of using a bandage before trying to bandage a wound.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using Plaster
Step 1. Know when plaster is needed
Plasters are available in various types and sizes. Plasters are best suited for dressing cuts, abrasions, and other minor injuries, especially those on the fingers and/or hands, as they cover small cuts and adhere well to parts of the body at unusual angles.
Step 2. Choose a plaster of the right size
Plasters are available in various sizes, in single or multiple packages. Purchase a gauze pad that is wider than the wound.
Step 3. Unpack the plaster
Most plasters, which are made of elastic or adhesive-coated fabric with a patch of gauze in the center, are available in single packs. Unpack and remove the wax paper covering the adhesive layer of the plaster before applying the tape to the wound.
Step 4. Place the gauze, which is in the center of the plaster, on the wound
There is a gauze pad in the middle of the plaster. Position the pad on the wound. Do not let the adhesive tape stick to the wound because it can cause the wound to open again when the tape is pulled off.
- If necessary, rub a gauze pad with a small amount of antibacterial ointment before applying it to the wound.
- Try not to touch the gauze with your fingers to avoid getting dirt or germs on it.
Step 5. Apply the plaster
Once the gauze pad is in place on the wound, stretch the edges of the tape that has an adhesive layer and apply it to the skin around the wound. Make sure there are no wrinkles or gaps in the adhesive tape to prevent the tape from sliding.
Step 6. Change the plaster regularly
Remove and replace the old plaster with a new one on a regular basis. Each time you change the bandage, clean and dry the wound well before applying a new one. Be careful not to pull the wound when you remove the old plaster.
Wet plaster should always be replaced with a new one. Also, if the gauze pad is wet from the liquid seeping from the wound, replace the bandage with a new one as soon as possible
Method 2 of 5: Using Rolled/Elastic Bandages
Step 1. Know when a roll/elastic bandage is needed
If the wound is wider than the bandage, cover it with gauze and a roll/elastic bandage. Rolled/elastic bandages are best suited for dressing wide wounds on a limb such as an arm or leg because it can bind that part of the body well.
Step 2. Use gauze to cover the wound
Rolled/elastic bandages are not meant to cover wounds. Cover the wound with sterile gauze before wrapping it with a roll/elastic bandage. The gauze should cover the entire wound surface. Use gauze that is slightly wider than the wound.
- If necessary, use medical tape to attach the gauze to the wound until you can cover it with an elastic bandage.
- An antibacterial ointment can be applied to the gauze to help prevent infection and promote wound healing.
Step 3. Wrap an elastic bandage
After placing the gauze on the wound, cover it with an elastic bandage. Begin applying the bandage from the bottom of the wound. Wrap the bandage upwards, overlapping at least half of the previous bandage. End when the bandage is over the wound.
Step 4. Glue the bandage
Apply a roll/elastic bandage after wrapping it on the injured/injured body part. One way to attach the ends of a rolled/elastic bandage is with medical tape or clips. Make sure the bandage is not too tight before the end of the bandage is glued.
Step 5. Change the dressing regularly
In order for the wound to dry and heal, change the dressing regularly. Every time you change the dressing, clean and dry the wound well. In general, dressings need to be changed at least once per day or when the gauze gets wet from fluid seeping from the wound.
Method 3 of 5: Learning the Basic Method of Dressing Wounds
Step 1. Understand the purpose of using the bandage
Bandages are actually used to hold gauze on a wound although many people think the function of a bandage is to stop bleeding or prevent infection. There are bandages that are already equipped with a patch of gauze (for example, plaster). However, you can also provide the bandage and gauze separately. This is very important because a wound that is immediately wrapped in a bandage, without being covered with gauze first, will continue to bleed and may become infected. Remember, the wound should not be immediately covered with a bandage; cover it first with gauze.
Step 2. Do not bandage the wound too tightly
Bandages that are wrapped too tightly can further damage the wound/body and cause pain. The bandage should be wrapped tightly enough so that the gauze doesn't come off or shift from the wound, but it shouldn't hinder blood flow.
Step 3. Use a bandage to cover a broken bone or dislocated joint
Bandages can be used to bandage broken bones and dislocated joints. Not all bandages have to be used to cover wounds. If you have an injury such as a broken bone, dislocated arm joint, eye injury, or other internal injury, a bandage can be used to support and support the injured body part. The only difference between internal and external wound dressings is that gauze does not need to be used. Special types of bandages (not regular plasters or bandages), such as triangular bandages, “T”-shaped bandages, and adhesive bandages, are needed to bandage and support an internally injured body part.
Any part of the body that is suspected of having a fracture or dislocation can be bandaged in this way until you see a doctor
Step 4. Know when professional medical help is needed
Minor wounds can be dressed alone. However, for severe injuries, self-administration is required only until professional medical help is obtained. If in doubt whether the injury/injury you have suffered is serious or not, contact the emergency department for advice. If the wound has been bandaged, but after 24 hours it does not improve or is very painful, see a doctor immediately.
- If the bandaged wound doesn't start to heal or causes severe pain after 24 hours, you should see a doctor immediately for help.
- If the wound is more than 3 cm in size, is accompanied by peeling of the skin, and/or involves deep tissue, you should seek medical attention.
Step 5. Clean and treat the wound before dressing
If it is not an emergency or in a hurry, the wound should be cleaned carefully before dressing. Use water and soap/disinfectant to clean dirt and kill bacteria. Pat the wound with a towel until it is dry. Apply an antiseptic cream to prevent infection, then cover it with gauze and cover it with a bandage.
Before rinsing the wound, wipe the gauze in a star-patterned motion to remove any debris from the surrounding area, if any. This will help prevent the debris from entering the wound as it is rinsed
Method 4 of 5: Bandaging Minor Wounds
Step 1. Use a bandage to bandage a small cut
One of the most common types of bandages is plaster. Plasters are best suited for dressing abrasions and minor cuts that occur on flat areas of the body. To apply the plaster, remove the wax paper covering the adhesive layer of the plaster, then place the gauze, which is in the center of the plaster, on the wound. Spread the edges of the adhesive tape and apply it to the skin around the wound. Do not stretch the edges of the tape too hard as this may cause the tape to come off.
Step 2. Bandage the finger/toe wound with a knuckle bandage
Knuckle plaster is a special plaster that is shaped like the letter "H". This shape makes it easier for the plaster to be affixed between the fingers/toes. Remove the wax paper covering the plaster adhesive layer, then position the plaster wings between your fingers/toes. Remember, the gauze, which is in the center of the plaster, must be right on the wound. The shape of the knuckle tape that resembles the letter "H" ensures that the tape does not slide easily when used between the fingers/toes (parts of the body that move frequently).
Step 3. Cover the cut with a butterfly bandage
This plaster consists of two adhesive wings connected by a thin non-adhesive tape. This plaster is effective at keeping the iris closed; It is not used to absorb blood or prevent infection. If the cut can 'pull open', apply this bandage. Peel off the adhesive layer cover paper on both plaster wings. Position the two wings of the tape so that it clasps the wound. Tighten the wound tightly so it doesn't open again. The center of the tape, which is a thin, non-adhesive tape, should be right over the wound.
A piece of sterile gauze and a bandage should be placed over the butterfly bandage for at least 24 hours to help prevent infection during wound healing
Step 4. Cover the burn with gauze and an adhesive bandage
Minor burns (with symptoms including redness, swelling, mild pain, and measuring no more than 7.5 cm) can be treated alone with basic dressings. Cover the burn with a piece of sterile gauze, then cover it with an adhesive bandage. The adhesive bandage should absolutely not touch the burn.
Step 5. Cover the blistered skin with moleskin plaster
Moleskin plaster is a special foam plaster that is attached to the blister to prevent it from rubbing. This plaster is usually shaped like a donut (a hole in the middle for a blister). Peel off the adhesive layer of the moleskin plaster. Position the tape so that the blister is in the hole in the center of the tape. This plaster prevents friction and reduces pressure on the blister. If the blister bursts, apply a regular plaster over a moleskin patch to prevent infection.
You can make your own moleskin bandage by stacking layers of gauze until it's slightly thicker than the skin on the blister, then making a hole slightly larger than the size of the wound. Place this bandage on the surface of the skin, cover it with non-stick gauze and glue it
Method 5 of 5: Bandaging Severe Wounds
Step 1. Use a pressure bandage
Bandage severe cuts and abrasions using a pressure bandage. A pressure bandage is a long thin band of gauze with thick, padded gauze near one end. The thick part is positioned on the wound, then bandaged with a thin part to get enough pressure and not shift. These bandages are most effective at preventing severe bleeding from abrasions or large cuts. Medical tape can be used to attach the ends of the bandage.
Step 2. Use a donut bandage
This bandage is effective for treating stab wounds. If there are objects still stuck to the wound, such as broken glass, wood chips, or pieces of metal, use a donut bandage. This bandage is a thick bandage shaped like the letter "O" that can reduce pressure on deep stab wounds or objects that are still stuck in the wound. Do not try to pull out objects that are still stuck in the wound. Just put a donut bandage around the object. Then, cover the edges of the donut bandage with gauze or adhesive bandage so that the donut bandage does not slide. Do not cover the center of the donut, where the object stuck in the wound is located, with gauze or bandages.
You can make your own donut bandage by rolling a triangular bandage or a sling bandage lengthwise like a snake, then making an appropriate loop to protect the sliced body part (loop around your fingers, or hands for support). then take the end of the bandage and thread it through the loop around the outside and back again. Tuck the end of the bandage into a donut-like wrap to keep it in shape. In this way, donut bandages can be used to protect various types of wounds
Step 3. Use a triangular bandage
Triangular bandages are effective for dressing broken bones or dislocated joints. This bandage is used by being folded into a small one, but is actually a large triangular shape. Once folded, this bandage is used to bandage a broken bone or dislocated joint. Fold the triangular bandage into a rectangle, then tie it in a loop to form a sling. In addition, triangular bandages can also be used to cover splints/broken bones, as a support. The method of using a triangular bandage varies, depending on the condition of the injury. So, to use this bandage, consider it well.
Step 4. Use rolled gauze
Rolled gauze is effective for dressing second-degree burns. Symptoms of a second-degree burn include skin that is blistered, painful, swollen, red, and measuring more than 7.5 cm. Although third-degree burns should not be bandaged, second-degree burns should be wrapped loosely with sterile gauze covered with medical tape. This will help protect the wound from dirt and prevent infection without blocking blood circulation or compressing the wound.
Step 5. Use a tensor bandage
Tensor bandages are effective at dressing deep cuts or accidental amputations. These bandages are made of thick elastic that can apply enough pressure to the wound to stop severe bleeding. If you have a deep cut or accidental amputation, remove as much blood as possible, then apply thick sterile gauze to the wound. Next, cover the wound with a tensor bandage to keep the gauze from sliding and apply sufficient pressure to help stop the bleeding.
Try to position the injured body part higher than the heart before dressing it because it can reduce blood flow and the risk of shock. This position also makes the tensor bandage easier to apply
Tips
- Watch for signs of infection. If the discharge is gray or yellow and has an unpleasant smell from the wound or if you have a fever over 38 degrees Celsius, seek professional medical attention immediately.
- Remove debris from the wound using tweezers only if professional medical help cannot be obtained immediately. If help arrives soon, just wait; Let medical professionals treat your wounds.
- Learn how to deal with shock. Severe injuries can cause shock which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Lay the patient in a supine position. Raise the patient's legs with the knees bent. If possible, cover the patient's entire body, including all limbs, with a blanket. In a calm voice, invite the patient to chat; ask open-ended questions, such as “what is your name?” or “how did you first meet and become acquainted with your lover?”, to keep the patient talking. Immediately call the emergency department. Learn in more detail by reading the article on how to deal with shock.
- Always have a first aid kit. The various injuries/injuries mentioned in this article can be effectively treated with only the bandages provided in the first aid kit. Know the location of the first aid kit in your workplace. In addition, a first aid kit also needs to be provided at home and in the car.
- If the wound is severe, stopping the bleeding is the first priority. The infection can be treated later.
- If you have extensive minor injuries to areas of your body that are difficult to bandage, such as your knees or elbows, use a liquid bandage. Liquid bandages can be purchased at pharmacies.
- Single pack gauze and gauze pads on plaster are sterile gauze. As much as possible, do not touch the part of the gauze that will be attached to the wound.
Warning
- Do not clean open wounds with hand sanitizers as this can make the condition worse.
- Bandaging a severe wound is only a temporary solution. Once the bleeding is under control, seek professional medical attention as soon as possible.
Related article
- How to Deal with Shock
- How to Treat Burns
- How to Stop Bleeding
