When do you put on a band-aid? 6 mistakes made with wounds

Oh! If the child has fallen to his knees while playing or you have cut a finger in the kitchen, you need a Band-Aid fast. It doesn’t matter if it’s a scratch, a cut or an abrasion, a dressing protects against dirt and germs.

Mistakes to Avoid with Band-Aids

1. Poor hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly before treating wounds. If possible, avoid touching the wound and the inside of the dressing with your hands to avoid infection.

Wound infection develops when pathogens enter the wound. If the bacteria get into the bloodstream, they can, in the worst case, lead to blood poisoning.

2. Putting on the band-aid too quickly

Before placing a plaster on the recent wound, the wound must be cleaned very well. You only have to rinse the wound superficially with lukewarm running water.

It is better not to rinse deep wounds: have to be seen by a doctor. If there are foreign objects, such as broken glass inside the wound, do not remove them yourself, let a doctor do it.

It is important to have a wound disinfectant at home. You can even carry a disinfectant spray in your bag.

3. Using the wrong plaster

There is a suitable plaster for each wound. In pharmacies and drugstores, the selection of different plasters is huge. We give you a brief description of the types of plasters that you can find:

standard dressings They are suitable for all injuries. They are sticky, which can be an advantage, but it can also be a disadvantage since they are not as easy to remove.elastic dressings They are ideal for joints and body parts that move a lot. They are used, for example, for knee injuries.Bandages for sensitive skin they have a thin sticky layer that does not damage the skin and is easier to remove later.The waterproof plasters They are suitable for showering, bathing and swimming. However, they barely let air into the wound.finger dressings They are extra long which provide a good grip on finger or knuckle wounds.Dressings for blisters or calluses they are only suitable for these purposes.spray dressings they cover the wound like invisible skin and protect the injured area. These sprays are usually a good solution, especially for children.

The best is always have a selection of different types and sizes of plasters at home.

4. Using a band-aid that is too small

A small band-aid is enough for minor scratches or cuts, but for larger injuries and parts of the body where a Band-Aid doesn’t stick well, gauze and bandages are best.

The plaster should be large enough so that the adhesive does not come into contact with the wound. Keep in mind that the skin must be clean, dry and free of grease, otherwise the dressing will not stick.

5. Using old plasters that no longer stick

Over time, the adhesive loses its strength. Therefore, you should check your first aid kit and car first aid kit from time to time to get rid of any overly old band-aids. Replace them with new ones after the expiration date has passed.

6. Removing plasters with the wrong technique

After a while, some plasters stick so tightly to the skin that it is very difficult and painful to remove. With small children it can be a drama. These tricks will help you:

Soak a small piece of kitchen paper in baby oil or oil that is gentle on the skin and place it in the area of ​​contact between the skin and the plaster. Let it act for a while so that the plaster can be taken off more easily.

If the band-aid sticks to the scab, don’t pull it off suddenly as it may start to bleed again. Uses a cotton swab to apply oil under the glued areas and remove the bandage carefully.

The following trick also helps with children: Allow your child to take a long bath in the bathtub, this solves the band-aid problem on its own.