It’s so crucial to select the proper medical tape whenever you need to take care of a wound. There are three kinds of tape to use for this task: 1) Paper Medical Tape, 2) Cloth Medical Tape, and 3) PE Transparent Medical Tape. Here’s how each of those works for addressing various cuts, scrapes, and other abrasions.
When to Use Each Type of Tape
- Paper Medical Tape
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- Paper tape, or non-woven tape, provides ample protection of the wound site whenever there’s a risk of infection. This tape has plenty of self-adhesive to keep it in place, and it’s soft enough to minimize pain and discomfort when changing it. The adhesive has a soft silicone component to hold the tape in place, but without hindering the healing process.
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- Cloth Medical Tape
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- Cloth tape often contains self-adhesive material, but it doesn’t stick to skin or hair as tightly as other paper tapes. This is a superior option for comfort and ventilation, a serious concern for many patients. Although you wouldn’t use cloth tape for the most serious wounds (like burns, ulcers, or surgical wounds), it is a fine way to address minor abrasions. Cloth tape also comes in many colorful or fashionable styles that you can coordinate with your clothing.
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- PE (Polyethylene) Transparent Medical Tape
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- Transparent tape is the best option if you need to visually monitor the wound condition. It’s also yet another solid choice whenever there’s a concern for pain and discomfort. PE tape comes off easily, has reliable water resistance, and has solid breathability. Like paper tape, it relies on a gentle silicone adhesive substance that doesn’t leave any residues on your skin or wound site.
Other Factors that Influence Which Medical Tape to Use
Then there are a few patient-specific considerations that should guide how to select the right medical tape.
- A patient’s skin type will often dictate the best tape selection. You may have to perform some trial-and-error depending on whether you have dry, moist, or fragile skin.
- Always investigate the wound site to determine proper tape positioning. Avoid applying it directly over hair and sebaceous glands as much as possible.
- Medical tape should not interfere with wound healing or cause epidermal layer separation. Keep an eye on potential problems with friction, tension, and flexion.
If you’d like to learn more about the medical tape, or anything else pertaining to wound care, then you’re welcome to reach out to us at Sarasota Medical Products. Contact us anytime with product selection questions at 941-377-1451.