Adhesive bandages shorten healing time and reduce the chance of scarring. Keeping a supply of adhesive bandages on hand for abrasions and lacerations that can be tended to at home is a good idea, especially if you have an active household where skin tears are common. There was debate over this for years, when common knowledge indicated that it was best to let cuts "air" and heal by scabbing over. Fortunately, this method has been abandoned as the best way to treat even minor cuts. A combination of bandaging injuries to the skin and using anti-bacterial ointment or cream helps prevent infection, speeds up healing time and lessens the chance of scarring.
Adhesive bandages come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, designed to cover almost any injury on virtually any part of the body. The availability of "butterfly" type bandages have even made it possible to treat slightly deeper cuts at home, given that they are cleaned thoroughly and monitored. Of course, if you think there may be call for sutures, have the injury evaluated by a doctor.
What to Look for
The adhesive should adhere to your skin, but the bandage should not. Look for adhesive bandages that are nonstick and breathable. Even if you are not prone to rashes, an adhesive bandage that completely blocks the air can irritate otherwise healthy skin. Though some adhesive bandages are marketed as being better because they are fabric-based, this is not truly important unless your skin becomes itchy and red under other types of bandages. If injuries requiring bandaging are frequent events in your home, it is probably good to keep a diverse supply of sizes and shapes on hand. Most packages of adhesive bandages come with several shapes and sizes included, so this does not require too much extra effort.
Common Pitfalls
Many adhesive bandages offer antibacterial properties, which are not necessary in a bandage that is simply covering an abrasion. Applying an antibiotic cream or ointment is more effective than relying on the bandage alone to prevent infection.
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