Bandage adhesives contain acrylic polymer, which is also used in making other adhesives. Bandage adhesives are used to protect wounds or scabs from bacteria, damage, or dirt. By doing this, the healing process of the injury would complete smoothly without any disturbance.
This makes bandages very important in healing wounds. There are different types of bandages; gauze bandage, adhesive bandage, liquid bandage, compression bandage, triangular bandage, tube bandage, and kirigami bandage.
A band-aid is very different from a bandage. While a band-aid may be more elastic or less, a bandage is rigid. Some bandages don’t stick to the skin but the one we would discuss is the adhesive bandage that sticks to the skin and might be hard to remove. We would discuss the possible removal methods in this article.
How To Remove Bandage Adhesive From Skin
There are 3 different ways you can remove a bandage adhesive from your skin. Let’s start with the simplest.
● Home Remedies
Water weakens the adhesive stuck on the skin, by making it either fall off or easier to peel off.
Soak the sticky area in warm water till it becomes weak. It may come off on its own or might require little scrubbing.
Some adhesives tend to loosen their grip on the skin when a few drops of olive, canola, vegetable, coconut, or sunflower oil are applied to the skin. For quick results, allow the oil to soak the adhesive for a minute or two, then peel it off.
You might need to repeat it more than once to get all the adhesive out.
Pour lemon juice into a bowl and soak the skin in it for ten to fifteen minutes. Or use a cotton swab to rub the juice directly on the area to ensure the adhesive is soaked in the juice. After which you could try peeling it off or use a washcloth to remove it.
You could also apply Ice with a paper towel and leave it for five minutes. The ice would make the adhesive loose after which it would either fall off or become easier to peel.
● Skincare Product Remedies
- Use of Baby Oil
This has almost the same mechanisms as “use of oil”, except that it is more gentle and it’s a great choice for sensitive or delicate skin. Most baby oils are mineral oils with a sweet scent.
In the absence of baby oil, you can use mineral oil and it will get the job done.
- Use of Lotion
Most lotions are made with an oil or lipid base and so, they can work for removing bandage adhesive. Rub a small amount and allow it to sit for some minutes. Then use a towel or cotton wool to remove it.
It is best to use unscented lotions because scented lotions might cause irritation, pain, and rashes to sensitive or delicate skin types.
- Use of Warm Compress
This entails heating a towel till it is warm, but not too hot to handle, in an oil mixture. Apply the oil to the affected area and hold the warm compress over the oil. Let the oil soak into the adhesive to make it easier to peel off.
● Chemical Products
- Rubbing Alcohol
This is a very effective method of removing bandage adhesive. Apply a small amount on a ball of cotton wool and apply on the affected area. Allow it to sit for some seconds and rub gently to remove.
Rubbing alcohol might dry out or irritate the skin, especially in sensitive areas. To prevent this, use only a few drops and allow your skin to rest in between trials.
- Use of Nail Polish Remover
The active ingredient in nail polish remover is acetone, which is the chemical solvent that removes artificial nails. Apply a small amount of a ball of cotton wool and apply gently to the affected area.
Allow it to sit for some seconds before trying to remove the adhesive. Be cautious when using this particular method as it is highly flammable and should not be used in combination with heat.
It is also important to note that this method has a similar effect to rubbing alcohol as it might dry out and irritate the skin.
- Use of Petroleum Jelly
This works just like oils and lotions. Petroleum Jelly is a thick ointment and can sit for minutes on the skin without drying or irritating the skin. This is the most effective and easiest way to remove bandage adhesive on the skin.
Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area and allow it to sit for minutes before peeling off the bandage adhesive.
How To Prevent MARSI
MARSI stands for Medical Adhesive Skin Injury. It happens when the bandage adhesive and the skin are stuck together strongly. This is not a pressure injury and it is not caused by pressure.
Not everyone is at risk of a MARSI after removing a bandage. Some persons that are at risk are babies, elderly adults, people with sensitive skin, and malnourished people.
How To Prevent MARSI When Removing A Bandage Adhesive From A Baby’s Skin
Babies have delicate skin and their epidermis and dermis are not tightly joined as adults. It is advisable to use baby oils to remove bandage adhesives from a baby’s skin to prevent MARSI.
When removing bandage adhesives from a baby’s skin you can add a drop of food coloring to the affected area. The oil from the substance would penetrate the adhesive and remove it, it would also act as a distraction for the baby.
How To Prevent MARSI When Removing Bandage Adhesive From Sensitive Skin
When removing bandage adhesives from sensitive skin you either use petroleum jelly oils, lemon juice, or warm water as they won’t cause any reaction on the skin.
Avoid using scented lotions as they might irritate you. Also, avoid using Alcohol and nail polish removers as they are not compatible with sensitive skin.
How To Prevent MARSI When Removing Bandage Adhesive From A Skin Of An Elderly Person
When removing bandage adhesive from the skin of an elderly person, it is very advisable to use Petroleum Jelly as the skin is loose and weak. Petroleum jelly is hydrating as it would hydrate the skin while making it easy to remove bandage adhesive without any reaction.
Summary
Bandage adhesive helps to heal wounds faster and easier but in the process, it might stuck on the skin. This article has discussed ways to remove this adhesive without creating a reaction on our skin.
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