Removal of sticky bandage archived
May 10, 2010 at 2:08pm
you might try nail polish remover. apply along the edges and slowly peel back, applying more as you go.
or you could soak a rag in warm vinegar and lay it on top of the bandage for awhile. that should loosen it up and, except for the smell, not be irritating.
if it is sensitive do NOT put nail polish remover! try oiling it... mineral oil, but olive will do... try not to get anything in the wound, though.
Perhaps you could simply lay a warm, damp cloth on it to soften the adhesive and gently remove. I wish I had a brilliant idea... so sorry he's in such discomfort over this. Ow.
One alternative if the adhesive simply won't let go is to cut the pad away from the sticky stuff, do whatever cleaning you need to do and then put a clean bandage on, wrapping it around the remainders of the sticky stuff that's still in place?
One alternative if the adhesive simply won't let go is to cut the pad away from the sticky stuff, do whatever cleaning you need to do and then put a clean bandage on, wrapping it around the remainders of the sticky stuff that's still in place?
That's a thought. I would apply the baby oil around all the edges and peel very carefully, applying more baby oil as new edges and skin are exposed. Good thought.
Thanks! We'd put very wet, warm wash cloths on it and that did help some. Then, while I was online going over answers he managed to peel it the rest of the way off. When I asked him how he did it, he replied "you don't want to know" (I suspect he sucked it up and yanked it off - something he could only do if I wasn't doing the yanking *and* I was out of the room).
I've changed the tape so we shouldn't run into this again, but if we do I'll likely try some of the suggestions. Except maybe the nail polish remover. I'd be tooooo worried about accidentally getting it on the wound and *that* would really, really hurt (and pretty much negate any 'help' it might be for removing the bandage with out harm!).
I've changed the tape so we shouldn't run into this again, but if we do I'll likely try some of the suggestions. Except maybe the nail polish remover. I'd be tooooo worried about accidentally getting it on the wound and *that* would really, really hurt (and pretty much negate any 'help' it might be for removing the bandage with out harm!).
He might have an allergy to the adhesive of the tape. I'd hold a warm wet washcloth to it for 15 minutes and give him something to bite on as you slowly but surely peel it off. But get it off. You might also want to call the ER for advice.
My younger son has an adhesive allergy. We found this out by putting a transparent "tattoo" bandaid on a minor scrape, and a day later, I noticed his skin was red bordering the bandaid. We soaked it, peeled it off, and he had an awful weepy bandaid shaped wound and then scab for a looong time afterward. He doesn't seem to have the same reaction to latex bandaids, but just in case, we give him a plain non-latex bandaid and top it with a smaller Batman (or whatever) bandaid so he doesn't moan about the lack of fancy bandaids.
My younger son has an adhesive allergy. We found this out by putting a transparent "tattoo" bandaid on a minor scrape, and a day later, I noticed his skin was red bordering the bandaid. We soaked it, peeled it off, and he had an awful weepy bandaid shaped wound and then scab for a looong time afterward. He doesn't seem to have the same reaction to latex bandaids, but just in case, we give him a plain non-latex bandaid and top it with a smaller Batman (or whatever) bandaid so he doesn't moan about the lack of fancy bandaids.
Call the hospital that applied it and ask them? I'm sure they've had experience!
His dad did have a mild allergy to adhesives and he's always been a bit sensitive. With everything else that was going on at the ER his sensitivity completely flew out of my mind. But nothing as bad as a weeping sore. I'm sorry you had to go through that!
If it ever comes up again, you might try alcohol instead of nail polish remover. It would still hurt if it got into the wound, but at least it would be cleaning it at the same time. Glad the problem's resolved, and hope the healing goes quickly.
Lotion or baby oil as stated--start with small amount on a cloth or paper towel and gently work around the edge of bandage-(work your way under the bandage as it comes loose)-should come loose after a few minutes....try not to get any on the wound--so don't pour it on...
(note to self - get a small bottle of baby oil to keep in the house.)
Thanks!
Thanks!
Posted By: USMNTFan(note to self - get a small bottle of baby oil to keep in the house.)
Thanks!
Also good for polishing stainless steel! :wink:
For future reference - hydrogen peroxide is very good if a bandage is stuck to a wound - it dissolves scabs/dried blood. If it's simply a matter of adhesive on the surrounding skin, oil is the way to go.
Personally, I would not recommend Alcohol or NP remover. Too harsh.
Personally, I would not recommend Alcohol or NP remover. Too harsh.
You could also use gentle, oil-based, eye makeup removers if you have those on hand...
I used to have to use the giant "TegaDerm" patches when I was pregnant and had a subcutaneous terbutalene pump while I was on bed rest. The things were almost as big as an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper! It is the hair on the skin that adds to the discomfort during removal.
We absolutely have a sensitivity to adhesives and elastic over here.
My youngest can only wear undergarments that have elastic waistbands encased in fabric. Thank goodness for Lil Mismatched!
I used to have to use the giant "TegaDerm" patches when I was pregnant and had a subcutaneous terbutalene pump while I was on bed rest. The things were almost as big as an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper! It is the hair on the skin that adds to the discomfort during removal.
We absolutely have a sensitivity to adhesives and elastic over here.
My youngest can only wear undergarments that have elastic waistbands encased in fabric. Thank goodness for Lil Mismatched!
I had the pump with the tegaderm, too! Are they still doing that (mine was 14 years ago)?
SORRY FOR THREAD DRIFT
debby,
I did it 16 years ago full-time, 13 years ago part-time and not at all 10 years ago.
Funny how science changes and pre-term labor does not! :facepalm:
It is also funny that after 5 months of full time bed rest a woman would get pregnant again and again!
Have you had your bones checked? Terbutalene is a steroid and (along with bed rest) can lead to osteopenia (which I have.)
debby,
I did it 16 years ago full-time, 13 years ago part-time and not at all 10 years ago.
Funny how science changes and pre-term labor does not! :facepalm:
It is also funny that after 5 months of full time bed rest a woman would get pregnant again and again!
Have you had your bones checked? Terbutalene is a steroid and (along with bed rest) can lead to osteopenia (which I have.)
baby oil, mineral oil, canola oil... any non-scented/non-flavored (get your mind out of the gutter--I was thinking of sesame oil!) type of oil will work. Even olive oil--in a pinch. The idea is not to dissolve the adhesive but to make unable to do it's job. That's why luc's suggestion of peanut butter would work--although it might take more time.
I think I would stay away from any foodstuffs for fear of infection, no?
I wouldn't use olive oil, but I think canola oil has got to be at least as sensitive to skin as mineral oil (but that may be just me since I am allergic to it).
edited to add: Oh, you meant peanut butter... I think that could be kind of gross in any case but would probably work.
edited to add: Oh, you meant peanut butter... I think that could be kind of gross in any case but would probably work.
Sesame oil or grapeseed oil might be good, too, as they are both very gentle and less likely to cause an allergic response.
You can not reply as this discussion is Closed!
It's on his hip and you'd think soaking might be an option, but he can't easily get in or out of the bathtub due to other injuries. In the corners where we've managed to get a bit removed, his skin is an irritated red. (yes, if we are ever in the ER again, I will tell them NOT to put the bandage on, but in the meantime i need to get this one off to change it).
Tried ice, but the injury/skin is too sensitive and it hurts him.
TIA for any help.