What is a medical tape?

Medical tape, also known as surgical or wound tape, is a specially manufactured adhesive material used for efficient wound care. It is used directly on the skin to hold wound bandages and dressings in place. Apart from wound care, these hospital tapes are often used for many different reasons. An ideal wound tape should be gentle on the skin, easy to apply, and possess sufficient adhesive strength to remain in place during activity. HPFY carries varied types of surgical tape at the best prices from top manufacturers like 3M, Reliamed, and Mckesson, to name a few.

Usages of Medical Tapes

Most adhesive tapes for dressing wounds are pressure-sensitive (stick and stay in place with firm pressure). Surgical tapes are used -

To secure secondary wound care dressings.
To secure catheter tubings.
To absorb exudate from high exudate wounds.
To keep the bandage and wound dressings in place while swimming and showering.
To avoid sports injuries or getting reinjured. These sports tapes are also called wrap tapes (kinesiology tapes).
For light compression to decrease swelling and discomfort.

Buying Guide for Wound Tape

Skin is the first line of defense against bacterial and antimicrobial infections. Hence, it is important to keep the skin healthy and fresh. According to the Medical Adhesives and Patient Safety: State of the Science, a research paper published in the Journal of Wound Ostomy Continence, any medical adhesive product should be chosen based on the following factors.

Intended use:
- Defining the purpose of the tape is extremely important (i.e., catheter securement, dressing in place, skin closure, enteral feeding tube securement, etc.).
- Depending on the use of medical tape, go for the one that offers an efficient balance of adhesiveness and gentleness.
Wear time:
- The intended purpose of the tape directly influences the approximate wear time.
- Many wound tapes and bandages are manufactured with better-suited materials for short and long-term wear.
- One should decide on medical tape type, i.e., plastic backing, paper, or cloth tape.
Location of the wound site:
- If the wound site is such that a surgical tape may potentially increase the risk of adhesive-related skin damage, opt for a breathable wrap tape that can stretch and flex with the body.
Conditions of the wound site:
- Whether the area is smooth or contoured, involves movement or friction, is exposed to moisture, sweat, humidity, exudate, or other body fluids, etc., must be considered appropriately.
Patient risk assessment:
- The patient’s age, race, pre-existing skin conditions, allergies, and overall health must also be considered.

Types of Medical Tape

1. Hypoallergenic

Allergies are a serious concern for many people. Hypoallergenic tapes are specifically designed for people with sensitive skin. HPFY offers a wide range of hypoallergenic adhesive tapes for skin and wound care.

2. Cloth

Cloth tapes have a cloth backing, and some of them offer gentle compression on the injury. Cloth tapes are generally used to secure ventilation tubes and intravenous lines and may also be used to tag scrubs and other devices.

3. Waterproof

Waterproof surgical tapes for medical use come in many variants, such as single-sided and double-sided. Using a waterproof tape enables the prevention of water seeping through the bandage and into the wound. It also prevents fluid from the wound from escaping through the bandage. These are especially useful for swimmers.

4. Paper

Paper tapes have pores that make them breathable and ideal for the quick healing of sensitive skin. Also known as micropore tape, this type is ideal for application on elderly people and in cases where wounds need frequent dressing changes.

5. Elastic

Because of their elasticity, elastic tapes are highly conformable and offer multi-directional stretch. They offer the stretch required for dynamic pressure dressing, promote patient comfort, and accommodate swelling.

6. Surgical

Surgical tapes provide secure adhesion and are designed for compression applications, specialist applications, and dressing hard-to-reach areas. They are available in cloth, paper, plastic, and foam. Surgical tapes are suitable for securing dressings, IV tubing, catheters, stabilizing body parts, etc.

7. Transparent

Transparent tapes allow the wound to be viewed and reviewed without the removal of the tape. Suitable for holding facial dressings, IV tubes, and catheters, these clear tapes are permeable from the inside and, therefore, breathable.

8. Dressing Retention

Dressing retention tapes are designed to hold primary dressings, like gauze and foam, in place. They also hold catheters, cannulas, and IV tubing in place. A dressing retention tape stretches for easy application and is breathable and highly conformable.

9. Sports

Sports tapes are meant to provide high tensile strength and strong support to active persons. Strong adhesive is used, which leaves behind a minimal residue. Multi-purpose in nature, sports tapes are easy to tear.

Our Best-Selling Adhesive Tape For Skin

3M Micropore Surgical Tape - White: designed to secure wound dressings that require frequent dressing changes. Excellent for general-purpose taping.
3M Medipore H Soft Cloth Surgical Tape: designed with a strong adhesive that securely sticks to the skin without unnecessary removal. It is gentle and highly breathable soft cloth tape to maintain skin integrity.
3M Durapore Silk Cloth Surgical Tape: designed for secure and reliable wound dressing applications. It features a silk-like cloth backing that provides strength and durability, allowing it to adhere firmly to the skin.

How do you apply adhesive tape?

Prepare the skin

Clip or trim hair.
Clean and dry the skin properly.
Apply a skin barrier to protect "at-risk" skin.
Let the barrier dry completely.

Apply the Dressing Tape

Apply tape to the skin without stretching it
Apply firm pressure to activate the adhesive and come into contact with the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions on Tape for Wounds

1. Is wound tape safe?

Yes, adhesive tape for dressing wounds is fairly safe for use. These are gentle on the skin and offer strong adhesion while leaving very minimal or even no residue behind.

2. Are these tapes toxic?

Most medical tapes available at HPFY are non-toxic and hypoallergenic. These do not cause skin irritation and heal wounds quickly.

3. Can first-aid tape be waterproof?

Yes, we carry a wide range of waterproof tapes, such as 3M Transpore Surgical Tape, a transparent and perforated plastic medical tape with an easy bi-directional tear, which makes it easy to handle even with surgical gloves. The surgical tape is ideal for those with latex sensitivity; it has a hypoallergenic adhesive for reliable adhesion. The breathable, water-resistant tapes secure tubings, devices, and bulky dressings with utmost ease.

4. How to make the sterile tape stick better?

Cleanse the skin - Adhesive tape works best when the area is clean and free of dirt, oil, or debris. Eliminate anything that can get between the skin and the tape. Use a good quality skin cleanser for it.
Use the correct type of tape - One tape does not suit all! Therefore, it is important to identify which one would suit your needs and go for it.
Storage of the surgical tape - Store the tape at room temperature, away from light and moisture, for longevity. Cold or humid temperatures may also affect the adhesiveness of the tape.
Ensure hand hygiene - Greasy or dirty hands can infect the tape and disrupt its adhesiveness. Wash your hands properly to keep the adhesive tape sterile.

5. How can I protect my skin from tape?

Continuous use of medical gauze tape may perturb the skin integrity. Use a skin barrier wipe, spray, or a film like the Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film to protect your skin from getting irritated.

6. How do you remove surgical tape?

Usually, tapes for wounds fall off on their own within 7 to 10 days. If it does not come off within ten days, consult your medical care team before taking it off yourself. In case you are told to remove the tape on your own -

Put baby oil around the tape edges and let it soak in for easier peeling off.
You can also rub alcohol to reduce pain while removing the medical tape. Avoid alcohol in case of an open wound.
Put a lukewarm washcloth and place it over the tape for about 10-15 minutes. Slowly peel the tape back. Rewarm the washcloth if the tape is still sticky.
If the tape is not waterproof, take a long bath and soak the taped area. The sogginess and less adhesiveness will make peeling off easier.

Where to buy Medical Tape online?

Health Products For You is your one-stop shop for all your wound care needs. We offer a wide range of wound care supplies, including quality and medical grade wound dressings, dressing retainers, dressing protectors, tapes, and more from top leading manufacturers such as Medline Industries, BSN Medical, and Curad. Place your order today and earn reward dollars on every purchase. You can use these earned reward dollars on your next purchase.