Covering a cut/scrape with a bandage

[bcla]

I know this has been covered here in some form or another. I remember talking about Band-Aid brand bandages when they used to come in a metal tin and had that little red thread to tear through the paper packaging. I guess one advantage of those were that they didn't contain any latex adhesive (to seal the paper) in the packaging.

So, my mom has always been of the "let it dry" persuasion. I know perhaps it stops being moist, but I've had some pretty visible scars and issues with scabs cracking. When it just wouldn't heal, I kept on hearing "I told you so" from her, although I found out it was just contact dermatitis with Polysporin (I'd stopped using Neosporin before then) which actually increased the raw area. I was prescribed a corticosteroid ointment (which kept the wound moist) to use and cover with a dressing. It was literally looking almost healed overnight, although I did have some peeling dead skin. I didn't even need it any more after two nights. I could see where the wound area used to be, but it felt like normal skin.

So in the meantime, I've discovered that I can't even use bacitracin ointment as I've become sensitized. Just plain petroleum jelly was recommended to me (it was recommended before, along with bacitracin) and I've found it actually works quite well to keep the wound moist and protected from dirt, with minimal scarring. However, the choice of bandage seems to be an issue. The worst is a cut on my fingers since I'll end up washing my hands and the wound will get wet and usually absorb too much moisture and swell a bit. I've tried using 3M Nexcare bandages (similar to hospital Tegaderm dressings) which are supposed to keep water out. They work pretty well for a while, but if it's a place that flexes a lot, it will eventually come loose. Traditional bandages of course don't seal out water (and I remember those old Band-Aid commercials where someone showed it was still on in the water).

So I guess that's what I'm reduced to - using plain petroleum jelly and trying to keep it moist without getting wet. What do you guys do? Keep it dry? Just cover it up? Maybe plain Band-Aids and just replace them when wet? Or maybe using one of these fancy water-resistant bandages.

I know there's been years of people just using Neosporin on a cut. However, the way my doctors have told to me, it generally doesn't do anything that plain Vaseline would unless there's a known bacterial infection. And many get sensitized to it and get an allergic reaction later on.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know this has been covered here in some form or another. I remember talking about Band-Aid brand bandages when they used to come in a metal tin and had that little red thread to tear through the paper packaging. I guess one advantage of those were that they didn't contain any latex adhesive (to seal the paper) in the packaging.

So, my mom has always been of the "let it dry" persuasion. I know perhaps it stops being moist, but I've had some pretty visible scars and issues with scabs cracking. When it just wouldn't heal, I kept on hearing "I told you so" from her, although I found out it was just contact dermatitis with Polysporin (I'd stopped using Neosporin before then) which actually increased the raw area. I was prescribed a corticosteroid ointment (which kept the wound moist) to use and cover with a dressing. It was literally looking almost healed overnight, although I did have some peeling dead skin. I didn't even need it any more after two nights. I could see where the wound area used to be, but it felt like normal skin.

So in the meantime, I've discovered that I can't even use bacitracin ointment as I've become sensitized. Just plain petroleum jelly was recommended to me (it was recommended before, along with bacitracin) and I've found it actually works quite well to keep the wound moist and protected from dirt, with minimal scarring. However, the choice of bandage seems to be an issue. The worst is a cut on my fingers since I'll end up washing my hands and the wound will get wet and usually absorb too much moisture and swell a bit. I've tried using 3M Nexcare bandages (similar to hospital Tegaderm dressings) which are supposed to keep water out. They work pretty well for a while, but if it's a place that flexes a lot, it will eventually come loose. Traditional bandages of course don't seal out water (and I remember those old Band-Aid commercials where someone showed it was still on in the water).

So I guess that's what I'm reduced to - using plain petroleum jelly and trying to keep it moist without getting wet. What do you guys do? Keep it dry? Just cover it up? Maybe plain Band-Aids and just replace them when wet? Or maybe using one of these fancy water-resistant bandages.

I know there's been years of people just using Neosporin on a cut. However, the way my doctors have told to me, it generally doesn't do anything that plain Vaseline would unless there's a known bacterial infection. And many get sensitized to it and get an allergic reaction later on.

When I get a cut, I glop on whatever antibiotic cream I have on hand, and immediately cover it. Leave it for at least a day. Then change out the bandage daily, using either first aid creme or vaseline to keep it moist under the bandage.

If I have a bandaid on my hand and have to do something that will get it wet (dishes, cleaning) I wear a rubber glove on that hand.

 

[bcla]

When I get a cut, I glop on whatever antibiotic cream I have on hand, and immediately cover it. Leave it for at least a day. Then change out the bandage daily, using either first aid creme or vaseline to keep it moist under the bandage.

If I have a bandaid on my hand and have to do something that will get it wet (dishes, cleaning) I wear a rubber glove on that hand.

I've tried that before. Heck - I've even gone to the bathroom with a rubber glove on, but after a while it just feels weird. Eventually I'm just going to want to wash my hands. Those Nexcare waterproof bandages work pretty well and they're sealed all around. However, the shape of the pad is pretty strange. They look like this:

http://www.organizinghomelife.com/nexcare-waterproof-bandages-review-and-giveaway/

This one doesn't look like it's that well sealed at one end. I've got a cut next to a joint on my finger, and it's tough trying to put it on where it's not going to loosen from flexing. Eventually it starts loosening a bit. I prefer to use plain Vaseline (like I said, can't even use bacitracin) and that sort of migrates after a while and messes with the adhesive. I can't really tell if the seal is broken without removing it, but I have found that if it is and it gets wet, the wound area can get mushy since the water is partially trapped in.

Still - I keep on hearing that Neosporin as a preventative is mostly useless. And obviously I can't use it now.

 

[MickeySP]

Honestly when I get a minor cut/scrape I walk about 150feet and hit fresh salt water. Natures anti bacterial.

 

[POOHsie]

I use 2 products from the same shelf on the Band-Aid aisle. First, Band-Aid brand small Gauze Pads, 2x2". They come individually wrapped, 25 count, in a red paper box. They're double-thick, 4x2", folded in half to 2x2". I cut them at the fold, into 2 pads of 2x2". They are still plenty thick after I cut them in half.

Then I use 3M Nexcare Sensitive Skin tape on a roll. The tape is baby blue. You pull out 2 six-to-seven inch lengths (break off with your fingers). Center the gauze on the wound and put one tape strip across the gauze in one direction, one tape strip across the gauze in the other direction.

The gauze pad is breathable, the Nexcare tape can be repositioned, and it's waterproof. So your wound cover is comfortable and the tape doesn't pull your skin. But the tape can be pulled up and replaced a little looser. I swear by this system instead of bandages, which pull, leave residue, and are usually too small a covering over a medicated area.

If you're going swimming or something, my system is no good. But dry, I can apply Bacitracin (or petroleum jelly) on the wound and it'll stay on, clean and covered.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have eczema on my hands. It is a constant battle with cuts on my hands and I am also allergic to the sporin's. It is torture.

I have tried everything known to man. Obviously prescription creams are the best when it gets bad.

Right now I am trying out organic products from LUSH in combo with prescription and the Nexcare bandaids.

I do think covering it helps it heal on your hands.

 

[Christine]

I allergic to all the antibiotic creams too. I use Vaseline if I need to keep a wound moist; however, I rarely have a wound that requires that. Especially if it's on my finger.

I just put a Band-Aid on (non waterproof and always Nexcare because their adhesive doesn't bother me) and I change it every time it gets wet. Which can be often in the morning because after my coffee/tea, I use the restroom a lot and wash my hands a lot.

 

[bcla]

I use 2 products from the same shelf on the Band-Aid aisle. First, Band-Aid brand small Gauze Pads, 2x2". They come individually wrapped, 25 count, in a red paper box. They're double-thick, 4x2", folded in half to 2x2". I cut them at the fold, into 2 pads of 2x2". They are still plenty thick after I cut them in half.

Then I use 3M Nexcare Sensitive Skin tape on a roll. The tape is baby blue. You pull out 2 six-to-seven inch lengths (break off with your fingers). Center the gauze on the wound and put one tape strip across the gauze in one direction, one tape strip across the gauze in the other direction.

Ever tried using the 3M self-adhering wrap (Coban)? I remember getting one of these every time I gave blood. I'd get sterile cotton on the needle entry area, and then they'd wrap a long piece around my arm. It also applied direct pressure to stop any bleeding. I suppose one issue is if one has a latex allergy. I bought some myself when I had a scrape on my arm.

 

[POOHsie]

Ever tried using the 3M self-adhering wrap (Coban)? I remember getting one of these every time I gave blood. I'd get sterile cotton on the needle entry area, and then they'd wrap a long piece around my arm. It also applied direct pressure to stop any bleeding. I suppose one issue is if one has a latex allergy. I bought some myself when I had a scrape on my arm.

I have some self-adhering wrap. It's good stuff I wrap my ankle with sometimes. I also have some in a small size (1-1/2") for a finger joint that aches sometimes. Wrap it for a few days, and the pain goes away.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I'd never heard about putting Vaseline on a wound until last month. I went to a dermatologist to have a cyst removed from my back. The doctor said he wasn't going to put in any stitches so the wound would heal from the inside out. As the nurse was dressing it, she said not to put any anti-bacterial ointment on it. In fact, she said if I had any of it in the house to toss it in the garbage. Apparently people are increasingly becoming allergic to it and it does more harm than good. The only thing is does is lubricate the wound so it won't stick to the bandage. That can be done with good old Vaseline. Each time I redressed the wound, I applied a little Vaseline. It healed up nicely, without stitches and without anti-bacterial ointment. I found some large, waterproof bandages that worked well to keep it dry. I would change it after showering. They were CVS brand. Nothing special, but they did the trick.

 

[bcla]

I'd never heard about putting Vaseline on a wound until last month. I went to a dermatologist to have a cyst removed from my back. The doctor said he wasn't going to put in any stitches so the wound would heal from the inside out. As the nurse was dressing it, she said not to put any anti-bacterial ointment on it. In fact, she said if I had any of it in the house to toss it in the garbage. Apparently people are increasingly becoming allergic to it and it does more harm than good. The only thing is does is lubricate the wound so it won't stick to the bandage. That can be done with good old Vaseline. Each time I redressed the wound, I applied a little Vaseline. It healed up nicely, without stitches and without anti-bacterial ointment. I found some large, waterproof bandages that worked well to keep it dry. I would change it after showering. They were CVS brand. Nothing special, but they did the trick.

I've actually heard some say just bacitracin ointment or ordinary petroleum jelly. The gist was that bacitracin was supposed to be the least likely to cause an allergic reaction. However, bacitracin is increasingly causing more and more allergic reactions. My understanding is not simply that it has allergy potential, but that it's typically trapped under a bandage or other dressing, and that it's most likely going to be used on a small area.

I remember when I had a long scratch and used PolySporin on it. I thought it was infected or something, and the area of broken skin started getting bigger and turned dark pink. A nurse practitioner took one look at it and told me to stop using it. That was when I was prescribed the corticosteroid which fixed it up quickly. However, one time I tried using generic bacitracin because it was actually cheaper than the smallest jar of Vaseline, but then I realized I was allergic to that too.

Vaseline does more than just lubricate. It also keeps the wound area supple, which helps with healing. I've heard that a wound covering was the first use for Vaseline. The chemist who first developed it for sale apparently found that oil workers were putting this goopy stuff on their wounds and he then extracted a purer form of petrolatum. The legend was that Robert Cheeseborough would go on the road and actually go so far as to cut, stab, burn, or even apply acid to his skin, then apply Vaseline to show that it healed quickly.

http://www.damninteresting.com/story-of-vaseline/

Of course the thing about petrolatum is that it has no medicinal qualities. It's purely mechanical - keeps out germs, lubricates, and keeps the underlying skin from drying out.