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A liquid bandage is an adhesive used to cover minor, superficial wounds (such as small cuts or scrapes) to keep them clean and prevent bleeding. As its name suggests, this bandage comes in a liquid form, which is sprayed or applied directly to the wound and left to dry. Liquid bandages typically last for 5 to 10 days before naturally peeling off when they lose adhesion. However, if you need to remove the bandage (such as when the wound has healed or if the bandage is damaged), you can do so with a few simple steps.
Steps
Loosen the Bandage Before Removing It
Wash your hands. This is especially important if the wound beneath the bandage hasn’t fully healed and is at risk of tearing during the removal process. Bacteria from dirty hands can enter the wound while removing the bandage.
- Use warm water and soap to thoroughly wash your hands, ensuring you remove all visible dirt from your skin and under your nails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds, or for the duration of singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
- Dry your hands completely after washing.
- If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
- Do not attempt to remove the liquid bandage if your doctor has advised against it.
Wash or wipe the adhesive area and the surrounding skin. Clean the dirt around the adhesive area with soap and water. You can even wash over the adhesive, as soap will not irritate the wound beneath the bandage.
- It is important that the surrounding skin is thoroughly cleaned, especially if the wound hasn't healed fully. Once the adhesive is removed, the wound will be exposed and vulnerable to infection.
- Alternatively, you can remove the adhesive after a shower to ensure the skin is clean.
- Avoid using alcohol, iodine, or other disinfectants, as they may cause skin irritation.
Soften the adhesive to remove it. Liquid bandages are designed to stay on the skin until they naturally peel off, but you can loosen the adhesive by softening the bond between the bandage and the skin.
- You can soften the adhesive by applying a new layer of liquid bandage over the old one. This will help break down the bond between the skin and the bandage.
- Another method is to place a clean, damp cloth over the bandage to soften it and loosen the adhesive bond.
- You can also soften the bandage while showering or by soaking the bandaged area in a bowl of water.
Remove the adhesive bandage. Once the bond is loosened, you can remove the bandage. Be cautious not to tear the wound or damage the skin beneath.
- If the edges of the adhesive don’t lift, use a damp cloth to help lift the bandage. Do this before the bandage hardens again after being softened.
- You may need to gently rub the cloth over the bandage to remove it, but only do so if the rubbing doesn’t affect the wound underneath. Try not to scrub or rub the cloth harshly over the bandage.
Clean or wash the skin and surrounding area if needed. Be gentle to avoid irritating the wound. Perform basic first aid if bleeding begins (see below).
- If the skin (or wound) seems to have healed, you may leave it as is after removing the bandage; it’s not necessary to re-bandage if the skin is healed. However, if the wound hasn’t fully healed, you may need to apply a new layer of bandage (see below).
- Do not apply alcohol, iodine, or other disinfectants to the wound to avoid irritation.
Removing with Acetone
Wash your hands. This step is particularly important if the wound beneath the bandage hasn’t fully healed and is at risk of tearing while removing the bandage. Bacteria from dirty hands can enter the wound during the removal process.
- Use soap and warm water to wash your hands. Make sure to scrub away any visible dirt on your skin and under your nails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds, or for the duration of singing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Dry your hands thoroughly after washing.
- If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
- Do not attempt to remove the liquid bandage if your doctor has advised against it.
Clean the adhesive area and surrounding skin thoroughly. Remove any visible dirt on the skin around the adhesive using soap and water. You can even wash the area with the adhesive, as soap will not irritate the wound underneath.
- It’s essential to ensure the skin around the adhesive is clean, especially if the wound hasn't fully healed. Once the bandage is removed, the wound will be exposed and more prone to infection.
- Alternatively, you can remove the bandage after showering to ensure the skin is clean.
- Avoid using alcohol, iodine, or other disinfectants as they may cause skin irritation.
Pour a small amount of acetone or nail polish remover onto a cotton pad. Acetone, the most commonly used nail polish remover, will help soften the adhesive and make it peel off. However, some people may experience skin irritation when applying acetone, so it’s recommended to use the first method if you have sensitive skin.
Apply acetone to the adhesive. Ensure the acetone covers the entire adhesive area. You may need to saturate the bandage with acetone to soften it effectively.
Remove the adhesive bandage. Once the bond has loosened, you can peel the bandage off. Be careful not to damage the wound or the skin underneath.
- If the edges of the adhesive don’t lift, use a clean, damp cloth to help lift the bandage. Do this before the bandage hardens again after being softened.
- You may need to gently rub the cloth over the adhesive to remove it, but only do so if it doesn’t affect the wound underneath.
Clean or wash the skin and surrounding area if necessary. Be gentle to avoid disturbing the wound. Follow the basic first-aid steps if bleeding begins (see below).
- If the skin (or wound) appears to be healing, you may leave it uncovered after removing the bandage; there is no need to re-bandage if the skin is fully healed. However, if the wound is not fully healed, you may need to apply a fresh bandage (see below).
- Avoid applying alcohol, iodine, or other disinfectant solutions to the wound to prevent irritation.
Apply a new bandage
Clean and dry the area before bandaging. The skin and wound must be completely dry before applying a bandage. Pat dry with a soft cloth and avoid causing pain to the wound.
- If the wound is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding before bandaging. Press a cloth to the wound and hold it in place until the bleeding stops.
- You may also apply a cold compress wrapped in cloth or fabric to the wound to help reduce blood flow and stop the bleeding.
- Elevating the wound above heart level can also help reduce bleeding.
- Liquid bandages should only be used for small wounds, such as shallow cuts, scrapes, and minor abrasions that do not bleed heavily. If the wound is deep or the bleeding lasts more than 10 minutes (even after trying to stop the bleeding), seek immediate medical attention.
Apply liquid adhesive bandage to the wound. Spread the bandage evenly from one end of the wound to the other with a continuous motion until the entire wound is covered.
- If it's a cut, gently press the edges of the wound together with your fingers.
- Do not let the liquid bandage get inside the wound. Apply only to the surface of the skin where the wound is.
Wait a few minutes for the bandage to dry. This step ensures that the adhesive sticks firmly to the skin.
- Do not apply another layer of bandage over the dried one, as this could cause the existing layer to peel off.
Keep the bandage dry. Although liquid bandages are water-resistant, it is important not to submerge the bandage in water. You can still shower or swim, as long as the bandage isn't exposed to water for long periods.
- Avoid applying lotion, oils, gels, or ointments to the wound. These can reduce the adhesive power between the bandage and your skin.
- Do not scratch the area with the bandage as it may cause the bandage to peel off.
- The liquid bandage will naturally peel off within 5-10 days.
Tips
- How you use a liquid bandage may vary depending on the type. Always check the product label and follow the specific instructions.
- Be cautious when removing the bandage to avoid causing irritation or tearing the wound or underlying tissue. If the wound starts tearing or appears to be damaged, do not continue trying to remove the bandage.
Warnings
- You should only treat small, superficial wounds at home. If the wound is large and/or bleeding uncontrollably, seek immediate medical attention.
- Do not attempt to remove the liquid bandage if your doctor advises against it.
- Ensure that the liquid bandage only covers the surface of the skin and does not enter the wound. Do not apply bandages to deep, bleeding wounds.
- Avoid rubbing or irritating the wound when removing the bandage, as this can delay healing and increase the risk of infection.
What you'll need
- liquid bandage
- warm water and soap
- acetone
- cotton balls
- clean cloth or fabric
