Kinds of Bandages

A bandage is as a piece of material used to provide support to an injured body part. Whether used for a sprained ankle or a paper cut, bandages are used to protect the affected part of the body from further injury while healing, and aid in the healing process. There are many different types of bandages and they are used for a wide variety of ailments and injuries.

Gauze Bandage

• Gauze can be used to hold a dressing in place or cover a wound.

  A gauze bandage is a woven piece of material wrapped around the injured body part to aid in healing. It is used to cover an injury or a wound to prevent germs from entering the affected area. It also can hold a dressing in place, which may contain ointment to aid healing and prevent infection. Gauze is used when giving blood at a doctor's office with a cotton ball over the needle site to prevent bleeding and encourage clotting. Gauze will not stick to the skin.

Short Stretch Bandages

• A short stretch bandage is used to prevent swelling due to fluid build-up.

  For certain medical conditions like lymphedema, a short stretch compression bandage is used to prevent swelling and discourage build-up of fluids under the skin by providing resistance. Short stretch bandages are made from tightly woven cotton, so that they will provide sufficient pressure or resistance against the skin so fluid cannot build up causing swelling and discomfort common to lymphedema.

Long Stretch/Ace Bandages

• Bandages can provide assistance in healing by reducing range of motion.

  A long stretch bandage is made of cotton fibers and polyurethane, and is used to provide compression pressure to an injured limb, muscle, or joint. Ace bandage is one type of long stretch bandage, which is used to immobilize an injured body part like a sprained ankle or wrist. It discourages excessive movement that can create further injury, but allows some movement of the area unlike a cast or splint. A long stretch bandage is ideal for a wide variety of body parts including the wrist, ankle, and knee and is made specially for fingers and toes.

Adhesive Bandages

• Bandages come in all shapes and sizes.

  Adhesive bandages are the only type that stick to the skin and do not require tape or other material to hold it onto the body. Adhesive bandages are ideal for covering wounds or cuts, which may get infected if left open. One type of adhesive bandage is the Band-Aid, which was invented in 1920 by Johnson and Johnson, and has become a popular household name. Other companies also make adhesive bandages like 3M. They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes for different body parts including larger sizes and shapes for greater coverage. Some companies have created decorative adhesive bandages which are popular with children.