Use a gauze pad on any wounds that are too large to cover with a smaller adhesive strip bandage. Gauze pads also are effective for treating minor burns. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Use an impregnated gauze pad that’s soaked in petroleum jelly or antibacterial ointments to help your wound heal faster.
Be sure to tape all 4 sides of your gauze pad to keep bacteria and potential infections out. [4] X Research source
Using roller bandages also allows you to secure gauze without using any tape. If your bandage is so tight that it causes pain or cuts off your circulation, loosen it a little bit so it’s snug but comfortable.
If blood soaks through the gauze pad, replace it right away so it doesn’t drip or leak.
If an adhesive bandage isn’t large enough to cover your wound, then you may need to apply a gauze dressing instead.
If you’re worried about the adhesive sticking to itself, bend the backing paper in half without fully pulling it off the bandage yet. That way, you expose the gauze to apply it to the wound, and you can easily peel the backing paper off once you position the bandage.
Try to avoid touching the gauze with your fingers so that you don’t transfer any dirt or germs to the bandage.
If there are gaps or any raised areas of the adhesive, bacteria could get into your wound which may lead to an infection.
Stop using bandages as soon as your wound completely heals.
If you don’t have a knuckle bandage on hand, you can cut the adhesive ends of a strip bandage in half to make the wings.
The wings fit around your finger so you can easily bend your knuckle without the bandage coming loose or falling off.
If your bandage feels uncomfortable, try lifting up one of the wings and making it fit a little looser.
You can cut a large rectangular adhesive strip bandage into an hourglass shape if you don’t have one made for fingertips.
Butterfly bandages are used for keeping a cut closed, not for absorbing blood or preventing infection. You may need to use multiple butterfly bandages to hold a large cut closed. If your cut is over a joint or cannot be closed, you may need to get stitches.
You can make your own makeshift moleskin by taking layers of gauze slightly taller than the blister and cutting a hole out in the middle that’s the size of the blister. Put the gauze over your blister and top it with a piece of nonstick gauze.
Avoid wrapping the bandage so tightly that it cuts off your circulation. If you feel discomfort, undo and loosen the bandage.
Pressure bandages are great to help apply firm pressure on the wound to help it stop bleeding in an emergency.
You can also wrap a large dressing or wound with a triangle bandage for additional support.
Do not wrap any gauze or tape over the center of the doughnut where the impaled object is located.
For added protection, you can put on non-sterile gloves before caring for your wound.
Try to apply a bandage as soon as you clean your wound so there’s less chance of developing an infection. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or rubbing alcohol to clean your wound since it could cause more irritation. [26] X Research source
You can instead apply an antibiotic cream to help prevent further infections, but petroleum jelly offers similar protection.
If you bandage a wound and it has still not begun to heal or causes significant pain after 24 hours, you should head to a doctor for help.
