Gauze and first-aid tape are common staples in most of our first-aid kits or medicine cabinets. Gauze can help you provide compression to a bleeding wound and it can also help keep a wound clean and dry by absorbing drainage. Current research on wound healing tells us that keeping a wound moist speeds healing and minimizes scar formation. Applying gauze over your wound can absorb excess drainage, but it can also help lock in essential moisture. There are several types of dressings available in any drugstore, but basic gauze is adequate enough for most minor wounds.
There are several types of first-aid tape available as well. What's the benefit of using first-aid tape to secure your gauze verses standard mailing tape? Well, many of us would never dream of putting anything on our skin but first-aid tape because of the comfort it provides.
What to Look for
If you are purchasing gauze for a specific wound, make sure that you buy a big enough size. Have an approximate idea of the size of your wound in mind when shopping for gauze and then always purchase gauze that is slightly larger than the area of the wound. This will prevent the edges of the gauze and tape from irritating sensitive areas. In general, most wounds need to have their dressing changed at least twice daily, and more often if you have more drainage or signs of infection.
When purchasing tape, keep in mind that the more adherent tape is not always the best option. If you have sensitive skin, highly adherent tape can be very irritating to your skin, especially if you require multiple dressing changes per day. Paper tape, although not as adherent, is the best choice for fragile or sensitive skin. When purchasing gauze and first-aid tape, you may also want to invest in a pair of first-aid scissors. These are safer than standard scissors, as they have blunt tips and carry a lower risk of injury during a dressing change.
Common Pitfalls
One of the most common pitfalls people make when buying gauze or tape is not purchasing enough. Most wounds take several days to heal completely, and if your immune system is weakened by diabetes, cancer or HIV, your wound healing may be significantly delayed. What does this spell out for you? Lots and lots of supplies. It's never a bad idea to buy double the amount of gauze and tape that you think you'll need. If you don't end up using it for one particular wound, you can always save it for future emergencies, as gauze and tape never expire, provided they are kept clean and dry.
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