Which wounds are not suitable for adhesive bandages?

Band-aids are mainly composed of benzalkonium chloride, elastic fabric, adhesive, non-woven absorbent pads, and PE isolation film. The surface that contacts the wound has breathable fibers, good extensibility, and has hemostatic and broad-spectrum antibacterial effects. They do not stick to the wound, which can reduce the chance of infection. Therefore, when the skin is injured and small wounds with bleeding occur, band-aids can indeed play a role in stopping bleeding and protecting the wound. However, band-aids are only suitable for shallow wounds that are clean, neat, and do not bleed much or require stitches. They should not be used in the following situations.

Small and deep wounds. Applying a band-aid to a small and deep wound is not conducive to the drainage of secretions and pus from the wound. It can easily lead to bacterial growth and reproduction, causing or worsening infections, especially with anaerobic bacteria such as tetanus bacillus.

Burns. Skin breakdown and oozing after a burn should not be covered with a band-aid, as secretions can trigger infections.

Wounds with foreign objects. If there are foreign objects in the wound, a band-aid should not be applied immediately. Instead, one should go to the hospital for debridement or to remove the foreign object before dressing the wound. Some wounds may be heavily contaminated or even infected, and a band-aid should not be used to cover the wound, as this could cause or worsen the infection.

Injuries from iron nails. If a finger or toe is accidentally injured by an iron nail or blade, especially if there is rust on the iron nail or blade, a band-aid should not be used as a simple solution. The wound must be cleaned first, kept exposed to prevent infection, and a tetanus vaccine should be administered at the hospital as soon as possible.

Animal bites and scratches. If a wound is caused by an animal bite or scratch, using a band-aid can lead to the accumulation or spread of bacteria in the wound. Therefore, whether bitten or scratched by a pet or a small animal outside, the wound should first be rinsed several times with soapy water, then disinfected with iodine, kept exposed, and a rabies vaccine should be administered at the hospital.

Various skin abscesses. Band-aids are not conducive to the absorption and drainage of pus, but rather promote bacterial growth and reproduction. Therefore, band-aids should not be used for abscesses.