Different types of bandage introduction

If you're not familiar with first aid supplies, you may be wondering: what is a crepe bandage, and how is it different from a cohesive bandage? What about conforming bandages? Here we will look at what kinds of bandage are available and which situations they are ideal for.

Crepe bandages

Crepe bandages, commonly made of cotton, are a woven, elasticated bandage. Crepe bandages are ideal to support the healing of sprains and strains. Cotton also allows the skin to breathe, and these bandages are washable and reusable. Crepe bandages can also be used for dressing retention.

Conforming bandages

Conforming bandages are very stretchy and, as their name suggests, conform closely to the body’s contours. These bandages are ideal for securing dressings in place, particularly on limbs. These bandages are lightweight, fray-resistant and breathable. These are usually made with synthetic materials.

Cohesive bandages

Cohesive bandages are designed to stick to themselves, but not to skin or hair. This makes cohesive bandages quick and easy to apply and remove, not requiring any tape or pins to hold them in place. These bandages can be used both for holding wound dressings in place and for supporting and providing compression to injured muscles or joints.

Plaster of paris

These bandages are used for creating casts to provide rigid immobilisation of fractured or broken limbs. Impregnated with Plaster of Paris (calcined gypsum), once immersed in water, these bandages can be moulded to the limb. The bandages then set fast into a strong, solid cast. These bandages should only be applied by medical professionals.

Covering a break in the skin helps to control bleeding and protect against infection. Dressings are pads of gauze or cloth that can be placed directly against the wound to absorb blood and other fluids. Cloth bandages cover dressings and hold them in place.