How to Remove Bandages From a Finger

Having a bulky bandage on your finger can be annoying, but exposing an unhealed wound the the environment is dangerous. An open wound on your finger is at risk for bacterial and other infections. Fingers are even more vulnerable than other body parts, given the number of surfaces they touch. Always redress the wounded finger after removing the bandages, if the wound remains visibly unhealed.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Rubber gloves
• Paper towel
• Small bowl
• Antibacterial towelette
• Zip-seal plastic bag

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands using hot water and antibacterial soap. Squeeze the soap into your hands and scrub for one minute -- to eliminate bacteria on your fingers -- before rinsing with hot water. Use antibacterial hand gel, if soap is unavailable. Dry your hands on paper towel and put on rubber gloves.

• 2

  Soak the finger in a small bowl of warm water for several minutes. The water loosens the adhesive backing on the bandages, making removal less painful. Massage the bandages under the water, so the moisture penetrates the adhesive.

• 3

  Remove the hand from the bowl. Gently pull the adhesive surface, until the bandage is completely removed.

• 4

  Clean the finger with an antibacterial towelette. Dry the finger thoroughly on a paper towel. Throw away the used-bandages, rubber gloves and paper towel in a zip-seal plastic bag.