| Surgical tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, | | | | can be peeled away gently and non-traumatically |
| designed to hold a dressing or bandage to a wound. | | | | without damaging sensitive skin underneath. It is often |
| There are many different types of surgical tapes, | | | | treated with zinc oxide, which has been proven to |
| made of different materials, some treated with various | | | | speed wound healing. |
| medicines and ointments. Among the materials used to | | | | It's most common use is holding a dressing or bandage |
| construct surgical tape are medical grade paper, cloth, | | | | to a wound, but it also can be used to hold a gaping |
| foam, and nylon. | | | | wound closed while surgeons stitch the wound shut. |
| Well made surgical tape is breathable, because it is | | | | Some surgical tape is also used in place of sutures, |
| important to wound healing that air is allowed to | | | | although this is a newer use and most surgeons still |
| circulate around the wound. When air cannot circulate | | | | use it in the more traditional fashion. This use has been |
| around a wound, infection can develop and healing | | | | scientifically proven to reduce the incidence of |
| time is slowed. Therefore, medical tape is best | | | | superficial skin infections, when tapes that are |
| designed with breathability and air circulation in mind. | | | | specifically designed for this purpose are used in the |
| It should be hypo-allergenic, ensuring that it can be used | | | | appropriate cases. |
| on anyone without causing allergic reactions. Some | | | | Because medical tape is easy to cut, it is ideal for |
| surgical tape is latex-free, designed specifically for | | | | wounds in locations like fingers or elbows or any other |
| people who suffer from latex allergies. | | | | area where the tape must be custom-trimmed to fit a |
| It also comes in a variety of widths and sizes, so it can | | | | specific wound size or awkward location. It can also |
| be used on wounds or incisions of any size. | | | | be trimmed to fit wounds of all sizes and shapes, |
| The adhesive should be easy to remove so that, | | | | anywhere on the body. |
| when the time comes to remove it, the medical tape | | | | |