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What are the Different Types of First Aid Bandages?
A bandage is a first aid device that protects the skin from infections that typically come from open wounds. There are many types of first aid bandages available. Each bandage type is designed to cover specific regions and angles of the human body. This provides better support and coverage over difficult joints area including the elbows, hands, and knees. The bandage includes both adhesive strips and a padding area for anti-bacterial medicines.
Bandaging a wound is a fairly simple process. The first step is to clean the wounded area from dirt and debris. This can be performed with water or anti-bacterial medicine. Once the wound is cleaned, first aid bandages can be placed over the wounded area. The bandage should be changed on a periodic basis. This will ensure the wound does not become infected.
Child branded Band-Aids® are the first aid bandages designed for kids. These bandages typically include special cartoon character designs. This type of bandages makes an injury less scary for the child. It has the effect of deflecting the child’s attention to the cartoon character rather then the actual injury.
Small Band-Aids® are first aid bandages designed for fingers or small cuts and injuries. This bandage type is small enough to be worn without infringing on daily activities. There are many small bandages available today, with each designed to support multiple size wounds.
A finger strip bandage is a special first aid device meant for the joint area between the fingers. This bandage is triangular in shape and allows for bettering fitting between the fingers. Because of the excessive bending of the fingers, a normal bandage would simply peel off through daily usage.
Bandages should be placed on wounds in combination with anti-bacterial medicine. This prevents the skin from developing an infection. Some forms of first aid bandages include pre-soaked medication. These are typically labeled as anti-bacterial ointment band-aids. This type of bandage saves time because the medicine is included on the pad area of the bandage.
An emergency first aid kit should include an assortment of first aid bandages. This should include tape, gauzes, miscellaneous Band-Aids®, and antibacterial creams. A first aid kit is a good addition to a home or an automobile. This can provide an individual with quick bandage access when he needs it.
Elbow and knee bandages are large padded bandages that can cover the entire area of the knee or elbow. These bandages are square in design to handle the sharp bending angles of these joints. An elbow and knee bandage is typically more flexible then a normal Band-Aid.
Discussion Comments
@Grivusangel -- I've seen one first aid kit that had all that stuff in it. It was an industrial kit my company had for workers who dealt with the heavy machinery. That kit had every kind of bandage imaginable, along with an impressive collection of over the counter pain killers.
Most people will use the adhesive bandages or maybe a gauze pad or other sterile dressing attached with surgical tape. I don't think I've ever seen a standard first aid kit that had big knee or elbow bandages in it. Most of them usually had an ace bandage and that was used if a knee or elbow was injured.
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