WHAT IS MEDICAL TAPE?
Medical tape, also known as surgical tape, is an adhesive tape that is used to hold the dressing against a wound. They should offer security and structure to your dressing, so it does not fall apart.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
When choosing your medical tape, you will want to consider factors that are individual to your body. These factors include your skin’s sensitivity, how long the wound will still take to heal, and the size of the wound dressing. It is very important that you thoroughly research so you can understand the best choice for you in your situation. For example, medical tape containing latex can cause skin irritation, which is undesirable for sensitive skin types. Choosing this kind of medical tape could affect other health areas in your life, such as causing a lack of sleep, which as a consequence could increase the intensity of the pain and decrease your pain tolerance. Prioritise maximum comfort.
HY-TAPE
Hy-Tape is a top-rated medical tape in terms of comfort due to its thermal adhesive qualities. This means the tape offers no discomfort upon removal, and decreases the chance of skin tears, tape burns, and general irritation. It is suitable for sensitive skin types and will leave your skin feeling soothed and still healthy after removal. Other benefits of Hy-Tape are its malleable properties, meaning that it will conform to your body contours, and it is also waterproof.
OTHER FORMS OF MEDICAL TAPE
Medical tape can generally be categorised into four main groups: micropore, zinc oxide, strapping, and retention tape. They all have their own special qualities that make them the appropriate choice for specific situations. For example, strapping tape can be used as a preventative measure as well as a barrier to protect you from your already-sustained injury. In addition, another taping option is Kinesiology tape, which is more of an all-rounder tape option due to its aim of aiding anyone from a young athlete to an elderly person.
HOW TO APPLY THE TAPE
Before the actual application, it is essential that you are working with clean and dry skin. After that, it is your choice whether you want to take some further protective measures, such as skin prep wipes, to ensure that the tape has the very best surface to stick to. When applying the tape, be sure not to stretch it as this could cause damage to both your skin and the tape. Instead, you will want to ensure that you are using enough tape so that this is not a problem, perhaps by measuring beforehand.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS
Until your body is fully healed from your injury, you will want to take precautions when trying to fit back into your daily life routine. For example, if you are usually an avid gym-goer, a tip for staying fit is focusing on targeted rehabilitation, so you can maintain strength in the area of your injury. This could also speed up the recovery process, but do not push yourself too hard if you are feeling severe pain from doing this. Your medical tape should ensure that your dressing stays in place while working out, and investing in a more flexible form of the tape will benefit you more than a restrictive tape as you will feel more comfortable stretching your limbs.
