There are a variety of bandages available in the market for various types of wound management. Bandages are used to protect wounds, promote healing, and either provide, retain, or remove moisture from the site to provide the optimal wound healing environment. The location of an injury or wound can affect how it is bandaged and what type of materials are used to sid in the healing process. A bandage is a material used to wrap or cover an infected or injured part of the body. Bandages can be strips, pads, tape, or rolls that are either wrapped or placed directly on the wound or used to secure a wound dressing.
Some of the various types of bandages are:
Silk bandages - Silk has many advantages as a wound bandage This type of bandage has a minimal inflammatory reaction, is capable of promoting wound healing, and is lightweight.
Surgical and Medical tape - Surgical and medical tape are pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes typically used to hold a primary dressing onto the wound site.
Paper tape - Paper tape is a type of bandage that is frequently used in hospital settings and can be referred to as micropore paper. Paper tape is lightweight, breathable, and gentle and is excellent for sensitive skin.
Adhesive bandages - Adhesive bandages and tapes require no other heat activation or solvent to stick and stay on the skin. By putting firm pressure on an adhesive bandage, it will stay in place until removal is needed.
Bandage rolls - Bandage rolls are a strip of cotton material prepared in a roll. Bandage rolls provide pressure to control internal or external bleeding, absorb drainage, and secure primary dressings.
Elastic or Stretch bandages - Elastic bandages are stretchable and used to create localized pressure. They are commonly used to treat muscle sprains and strains by reducing the blood flow to a particular area of the body by distributing an even amount of pressure.
Cohesive bandages - Cohesive bandages are a self-adhering type of bandage that wraps around and coheres to itself but not to other surfaces. Cohesive bandages are often used to cover the antecubital area of the arm (inner part of the forearm) after venipuncture.
Gauze rolls - Gauze rolls are layered, woven cotton that is rolled tightly and individually packaged. Gauze rolls come in a variety of different thicknesses depending on the treatment needed. They protect wound sites from bacteria, dirt, and debris and are typically used to hold a primary wound dressing in place by delivering varying amounts of pressure.
Unna boot - An Unna boot is a special gauze bandage that is commonly used to treat venous stasis ulcers and other venous insufficiencies of the legs. An Unna boot can also be used for any type of sprain or strain in the lower leg, foot, and ankle to provide support.
