How to use bandages and Tape

Drop dressing onto sterile drape or open pack and leave dressing face down in pack, Then cut a piece of tape1.5 time longer than wound and press on upside down dressing.

Lift tape and bandage centred over wound, Dressing should be 3-4cm larger than wound depending on how much fluid there is and also make it bigger if a lot of dermatitis or peeling skin as you don’t want to put tape over fragile skin

Use micropore tape and overlay by halves or picture frame. Micropore or transpore is breathable and tearable. NO scissors needed and fast.

When cutting a roll tape such as mefix, hypafix, fixumull , fold into quarters

Curve all the edges at the same time with scissors, so tape will not curl at corners

Curved wedges of tape

To pull backing off, most of these brands have a split in the back. Pull apart and peel off, or just peel off at an edge.

Overlap tape by a third, folds in tape not serious unless on a foot, where it may cause pressure. Folds at edges can be areas where tape can peel back

Curved tape to picture frame a wound dressing as an alternative to overlapping tape.

Apply 3 – 4 inch crepe bandage to a foot or arm A larger bandage for a leg, but 4 inch will do..Apply with a slight stretch, or will drop down to ankles if too loose. Wrap around a couple times.

Then wrap back and forward around the ankle to stop bandage from rolling off the forefoot when walking

On a foot, use tape to secure as the grips supplied with bandages can dig into the foot or move. It can cause injury to a diabetic foot.

Sofban padding can be applied after surgery for more padding once primary dressing has been applied. Roll around forefoot

Roll over toes loosely

One can keep rolling around as in previous photo or roll around the foot heel to toe

Roll over forefoot and up the ankle or even to knee if issues on the leg as well. Can tape or tear of end of the padding

ONe needs to apply a tubifast/ tubigrip or bandage to hold underpadding in place. One can also roll crepe around the edges of the foot as the sofban bandage. Use with a slight stretch, otherwise it will fall off.

Roll over toes, putting a finger space at the end of toes to ensure the ends are not too tight. Remember, the foot lengthens when walking. Tight bandages can put pressure on a foot. This can cause pain ,or lack of pain if a diabetic , causing the person not to inspect the reason why it’s tight.. Check toes are blanching and of nomral colour.

One can roll bandages around the heel and sides of the foot, as in the sofban bandaging. However, remember loose at the toes.

Cris cross up the foot

Finish around the ankle.

Cut a piece of tubigrip or tubifast either from knee to beyond tips of toes by 5 inches Double if you want more compression on the leg. One can also cut another 1.5 of tubular bandage and twist back to ankle level later instead.

Turn tubigrip inside by a third , as you might do with stockings.

Pull up tubigrip or tubifast stretching it outwards if possible to stop rolling the underlying bandage

Pull up tubigrip trying to stretch it out , not to fold the underlying dressings, This difficult if its tight. Finish 2cmm below back of knee

Twist excess to the fold over toes. If using tubifast , use these sizes: Red : big toes green small limbs, arms Blue : medium to large arms Yellow larger legs Purple large adult trunks Source: https://www.molnlycke.us/products-solutions/tubifast/

Twist once the tubigrip or tubifast which is a similar tubigrip, but lighter and cooler and no compression. 2 twists will form a knot and cause pressure. See a tiny gap in the middle. Tape around edges to secure

Version 2 is to fold over tubigrip to top side of foot. Source for more information https://www.molnlycke.us/products-solutions/tubigrip/ https://www.molnlycke.com/contentassets/b0edfe05c04844f0ab717f65e27fbc6a/tubigrip—–product-sheet-2021hqim002649.pdf

Tape fold down. Take tubigrip off at night. Can wash daily if wet or smelly but discard once stretch disappears. Have a few to rotate.

Twist excess the fold over toes. If using tubifast.

Remove or zoff is one of many tape adhesive removers on the market. They come as a wipe, spray

Wipe on top of tape and then lift and wipe at tape edge where you are pulling. Wait a moment and pull up some more.