Smart Shopping for Liquid Bandages

Liquid bandages are products that provide an invisible physical barrier between your wound and the environment. They are great alternatives to traditional bandages for people who wash their hands frequently or who work in a kitchen and can't afford to have their bandages get in the way. They are also great for those tough-to-cover areas such as knees and elbows, to which traditional bandages have a tough time adhering. Liquid bandages are also great for facial wounds, where most people do not find wearing a traditional bandage cosmetically desirable. Instead of drawing your eye to the wound, as some traditional bandages do, liquid bandages can keep things more discreet. Also, because liquid bandages are translucent, they help you keep a closer eye on your wound to make sure that it does not become infected.

What to Look for

Liquid bandages are relatively inexpensive and reasonably comparable in quality across different brands. Generic drugstore brands are always less expensive than the brand name products and are very close, if not identical, in quality.

Common Pitfalls

One of the most common pitfalls people make when shopping for bandages is purchasing liquid bandages for wounds that appear infected. Wound infections are characterized by redness, swelling, drainage, foul odor or worsening pain around your wound. If your wound is starting to look infected, or you have a weakened immune system from cancer, HIV or diabetes, then you may want to avoid using liquid bandages. However, you should always consult with your doctor if you have a compromised immune system and have a wound, as these wounds can rapidly become a serious medical problem.

Also keep in mind that liquid bandages are not as easy to remove as traditional bandages. If you have sensitive skin, this could be a problem if you develop an allergic reaction to the liquid bandage.

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2009

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