How to Wrap a Hand With an Ace Bandage

An Ace bandage is a popular brand of elastic wrap commonly used to treat injured muscles and tissues. Wrapping an injured hand with an Ace bandage helps to support the injured area, reduce swelling and hold wound treatments in place. Using an Ace bandage also ensures you won't use the injured hand and cause yourself more pain or tissue damage.

Things You'll Need

• 2- to 4-inch wide Ace bandage
• Metal bandage clips or medical tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose the width of the Ace bandage based on the size of the injured hand. Children typically need 2-inch wide Ace bandages, adult females usually need 3-inch bandages and adult males generally use 4-inch Ace bandages.

• 2

  Place the loose end of the Ace bandage on the outer part of the wrist of the injured hand. Wrap the bandage around the wrist twice.

• 3

  Cross the Ace bandage up over the back of the hand diagonally and pull it down across the palm diagonally. Now pull the bandage up between the index finger and the thumb.

• 4

  Repeat the above wrapping process until the injured area is completely covered. Make sure the Ace Bandage stays snug against the skin.

• 5

  Finish treating the injured hand by wrapping the Ace bandage around the wrist three times in a little "X" pattern.

• 6

  Fasten the loose end of the Ace bandage with metal bandage clips or medical tape.

• 7

  Make sure the fingers on the wrapped hand still look pink and feel warm. If they feel cool or look pale, the Ace bandage is wrapped too tightly. Remove the bandage and rewrap the injured hand.