A bandage is a piece of material used in medical care primarily to support a medical device, such as a dressing or a splint, or to provide direct support and compression to an injured body part. While often confused with the dressing (the material placed directly on a wound), the bandage serves as the outer layer, functioning to secure, protect, and apply controlled pressure to the affected area. Understanding these functions is important for effective first aid and injury management.
Essential Functions of Bandages
Bandages serve several roles. Their most frequent action is securing the primary dressing over a wound, ensuring the sterile material stays in direct contact with the injury. This prevents the dressing from shifting or becoming dislodged, maintaining a barrier against external contaminants like dirt and bacteria.
Another central function is the application of controlled pressure to the injured area. This pressure is vital for hemorrhage control, stabilizing blood loss and encouraging clotting. For soft tissue injuries like sprains, the pressure helps to minimize swelling (edema) by reducing fluid buildup in the damaged tissues.
The bandage also assists in managing wound exudate (fluid discharge) by securing absorbent materials in place. In orthopedic situations, bandages are used to support or immobilize a suspected fracture or joint injury. This minimizes movement, prevents further harm, and allows the body to begin the natural repair process.
Common Wound Covering Bandages
Bandages designed for direct wound care and covering are the most recognizable types found in home first aid kits. The adhesive strip, commonly known by brand names like “Band-Aid,” consists of a small, non-stick gauze pad attached to a flexible adhesive backing. This design creates a quick, convenient sterile cover for minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions, protecting them from debris and bacteria while absorbing small amounts of fluid. Specialty versions of these adhesive bandages exist, featuring unique shapes for areas like knuckles and fingertips to ensure a snug seal even during frequent movement.
Gauze rolls and pads are versatile, fundamental components of wound care, used for wounds that are larger or exuding a greater volume of fluid. Gauze is typically made from a loosely woven fabric, often cotton, which allows for breathability and high absorbency. These are often used as the primary dressing placed directly on the wound, then secured with a roller bandage or tape.
Gauze can be purchased in sterile pads for direct placement on open wounds or in rolls for wrapping and securing. Modern alternatives for very small, superficial cuts include liquid or spray-on bandages, which form a protective polymer film over the injury. This film provides a waterproof barrier that seals the wound, eliminating the need for a physical strip in some cases.
Bandages for Support and Compression
Beyond simple wound covering, other types of bandages are specifically engineered for structural support, immobilization, and sustained compression. Elastic bandages, such as crepe or cohesive wraps, are woven with elastic fibers to provide a controlled degree of stretch and rebound. These are primarily used to treat soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains by applying moderate compression to limit swelling and provide external support to the joint. Cohesive bandages are a variant that sticks only to itself, allowing for secure wrapping without the need for clips, tape, or sticking to skin or hair.
Tubular bandages are seamless, tube-shaped pieces of elasticized material designed to be slipped over a limb, finger, or toe. They provide uniform, circumferential compression and are often used to hold dressings securely in place on cylindrical body parts or to give light support to joints. Because of their shape, they maintain pressure without requiring complex wrapping techniques.
The triangular bandage, often made of thick cotton, is highly versatile and can be folded into different configurations. Its most common use is as a sling to support an injured arm, wrist, or shoulder, distributing the weight across the back and neck. It can also be folded into a narrow strip, called a cravat, to secure splints or to apply firm pressure to a bleeding wound.