What company makes the best bandaids?
Bandaids are what I use most often.
Some google searches indicate Band-aid and Nexcare are the best, but I suspect that's mostly marketing on behalf of those two brands.
Curad makes some decent bandages. Whenever I get low on my supply of them, I just hit up the local Dollar Tree (though I guess with the recent .25 cent price increase they announced, it should be called Dollar Twenty Five Tree now).
I've got a lot of no name brand bandages too, but that's mostly because they came with some premade survival kits I bought years ago.
I have extremely sensitive skin and typical bandaid adhesives tend to literally eat my skin away. I have one very specific product that I can use and that's Bandaid brand Flexible Fabric bandaids.
I really wish they would make the same exact product as a surgical tape because I have similar problems with the adhesives used for surgical tape and cannot find one that doesn't hurt me. I will sometimes use the bandaids as if they were surgical tape, but I get really annoyed at how expensive and wasteful that is. Just make some Flexible Fabric surgical tape, Bandaid!
I use latex-free kid bandaids (only until the bleeding stops) or nonstick gauze with self adhering wrap. Freakin' adhesives. Paper tape is the only type I can use, and it doesn't stick worth a hoot.
What prompted me to ask everyone is the wrappers on many of my older generic bandaids are disintegrating now. The bandaid still holds up decent (not great, but servicable). These have been kept indoors in fairly stable temperatures. I'm now expanding my first aid kits in several locations (some subject to temperature extremes) and I will be buying bandaids for them soon.
As far as "staying stuck" goes the two extremes I've found are Curad Skate series that I picked up from shopmedvet for a penny a piece, they fall off after a couple hours and don't even stick to themselves very well. Band Aid brand Waterproof Tough Strips are the ones I EDC in my wallet, 2 days and showers later they're still tough to remove. I'm not certain if I have any of those in my truck FAKs but can check, if so they've been through 0-90F temp extremes for a couple years and I'll field test one of them.
I call "stickyness" and "durable" and "breathable" a quality baindaid. So fabric baindaids have been the best products in any line in my experience. Band-Aid has consistently had the best of those.
I use Nexcare, Curad, and Bandaid brands. Some of the larger bandaids I have are Equate.
If you get the 100/$1 from the Dollar Tree, you'll probably need all of them for when they fall off.
I've always used Band-Aid or Curad. I like the flexible fabric style for finger/knuckle joints. I have some that are so old, the adhesive has dried to the point of not being sticky, so I use either a piece of water block or tough cloth tape to secure them.
I've also been know to just use a piece of gauze and electrical or duct tape to secure in place over a wound also.
FWIW- Neosporin is a favorite of mine too.
I bought "Curad Burn Bandages" for a slight burn on my arm incurred on Thanksgiving. "Long-lasting adhesive for up to 5 days of uninterrupted healing without replacing".
Didn't last half an hour on my arm before starting to come off. They did not account for how much I move. HOWEVER - covered with the self-adhesive wrap during the day and left with just the bandage at night, it's now on its second day.
Quote from: RoneKiln on November 29, 2021, 11:09:25 PM
What prompted me to ask everyone is the wrappers on many of my older generic bandaids are disintegrating now. The bandaid still holds up decent (not great, but servicable). These have been kept indoors in fairly stable temperatures. I'm now expanding my first aid kits in several locations (some subject to temperature extremes) and I will be buying bandaids for them soon.
In my experience, generic bandaids degrade over time regardless of how you care for them. It's one of the reasons I stopped ordering kits and build my own. The quality just isn't there in a lot of FAKs. I think the bandaids with a plastic feel will always degrade faster while the fabric ones seem to hold up better.
The fabric ones are also superior under washing, imo. While the plasticy bandaids tend to come away with multiple washings, the flexible fabric ones stay in place. At most, they begin to fray around the edges, which may not look great, but it remains functional.
Quote from: CG on November 30, 2021, 02:41:44 PM
I bought "Curad Burn Bandages" for a slight burn on my arm incurred on Thanksgiving. "Long-lasting adhesive for up to 5 days of uninterrupted healing without replacing".
Didn't last half an hour on my arm before starting to come off. They did not account for how much I move. HOWEVER - covered with the self-adhesive wrap during the day and left with just the bandage at night, it's now on its second day.
Update: Lasted 2 days, being uncovered at night. For me, that's a very long time - I end up pulling off a lot of them within hours because they're either falling off enough or annoying me enough. I pulled it off this morning before my shower because the bottom was fairly well off. Burn seems to be healing up nicely. Recovered with a new one after my shower. Even more impressive - no red marks where the adhesive was. Apparently my skin does not highly object to these ones.
Quote from: Crosscut on November 30, 2021, 04:03:39 AM
...Band Aid brand Waterproof Tough Strips are the ones I EDC in my wallet, 2 days and showers later they're still tough to remove. ...
A lot of those with the darker brown cloth type fabric can be removed easily with some rubbing alcohol. It inactivates/deactivates/destroys/stops the adhesive... just dab some on it and let it soak for a short while...
Quote from: SCBrian on December 01, 2021, 06:23:32 PM
Quote from: Crosscut on November 30, 2021, 04:03:39 AM
...Band Aid brand Waterproof Tough Strips are the ones I EDC in my wallet, 2 days and showers later they're still tough to remove. ...
A lot of those with the darker brown cloth type fabric can be removed easily with some rubbing alcohol. It inactivates/deactivates/destroys/stops the adhesive... just dab some on it and let it soak for a short while...
Thanks, I reopened a 2 day old slice on my finger trying to get one of these off once. :gonk:
Haven't checked my truck kits yet, got sidetracked troubleshooting a home power issue but it's on the todo list.
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
4 days seems to be my limit for wearing bandages. Now have red lines where the adhesive was. But the burn is healing up nicely!
Mix of plastic and fabric bandaids in our vehicle FAKs, dollar store brands based on no manufacturer name on the outer wrapper. Both varieties are still sticky after something like 5 years in the trucks and the wrappers aren't falling apart. I did store them in ziploc bags just to keep them all together, so maybe the bag keeping moisture/humidity out helps stop the wrappers from deteriorating.
Quote from: echo83 on December 03, 2021, 09:04:17 PM
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
What about that Liquid Bandaid stuff (I think the brand is called New Skin) ?
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on December 07, 2021, 04:06:11 PM
Quote from: echo83 on December 03, 2021, 09:04:17 PM
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
What about that Liquid Bandaid stuff (I think the brand is called New Skin) ?
Good call! I had kind of forgotten about that stuff. Bottles of it also have a brush applicator, which makes it easier to use, I suppose. I've never used New Skin/Dermabond/Superglue on anything major, just on smaller, clean cuts.
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on December 07, 2021, 04:06:11 PM
Quote from: echo83 on December 03, 2021, 09:04:17 PM
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
What about that Liquid Bandaid stuff (I think the brand is called New Skin) ?
I saw that in the store last weekend while buying bandaids and mentally blew it off. But now I'm thinking I should try it.
Thanks for bringing it up and making me rethink it.
Quote from: RoneKiln on December 07, 2021, 10:38:06 PM
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on December 07, 2021, 04:06:11 PM
Quote from: echo83 on December 03, 2021, 09:04:17 PM
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
What about that Liquid Bandaid stuff (I think the brand is called New Skin) ?
I saw that in the store last weekend while buying bandaids and mentally blew it off. But now I'm thinking I should try it.
Thanks for bringing it up and making me rethink it.
Works good for scratches on kids until it dries and they start picking at it anyway. Dog feet (paw pads) too, I keep two bottles with one labeled just for them since the applicator usually gets sand/dirt on it between applications. If there's a flap of pad hanging you can sometimes use this to 'glue' it back down.
Quote from: RoneKiln on December 07, 2021, 10:38:06 PM
Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on December 07, 2021, 04:06:11 PM
Quote from: echo83 on December 03, 2021, 09:04:17 PM
I go with the cloth Band-Aids. For me, plastic ones peel off way too fast, and aren't very flexible. I also have yet to find a brand where the paper sleeves don't eventually deteriorate.
It may seem totally over the top, but a little dab of super glue works wonders. I used to think putting super glue on a cut was like the old "tampon in a gunshot wound," trope, but a few years working in a kitchen made a believer out of me.
What about that Liquid Bandaid stuff (I think the brand is called New Skin) ?
I saw that in the store last weekend while buying bandaids and mentally blew it off. But now I'm thinking I should try it.
Thanks for bringing it up and making me rethink it.
No problem.
I usually tend to use it whenever I've got a cut on my fingers and normal bandages won't stay put.
Some fellow allergy and sensitive skin sufferers have recommended hydrocolloid bandages, but I saw that some people in the reviews of these had allergic reactions while others love them. So I bought two brands; Bandaid Hydro Seal and Welly Kicker Sticker and I have applied one to each arm to test how I respond to them.
These were originally marketed towards blister and acne treatment, so they can be odd sizes and shapes for wound care use. I find the Welly Kicker Sticker to be a decent size for wound care compared to typical bandaids. The ones from Bandaid brand seem to be a bit to narrow or a bit too wide. I bought the narrow size because they're a bit cheaper per use and they'll be sufficient for small cuts.
The hydrocolloid gel is what adheres the bandage to the skin and provides healing conditions, so there is no need for antiseptic or adhesives.
Initial thoughts: The Bandaid brand seems to have better edge adhesion. The Welly one is a better size. They have a sort of cooling feel against the skin. As of 20 minutes wearing them, neither is producing a skin reaction. These might be an option for me.
I found a small stash of (1980's?) Johnson and Johnson band aids in the medicine cabinet at the cabin over the holidays, the kind with the red string to help open the package. The outer packaging feels and looks like wax paper with folded ends and still sealed like they were new. 30 or more years old maybe and kept in a non-climate controlled environment the whole time. Stuck one in my pocket and brought it home so I can test it the next time I get a cut.
Quote from: Crosscut on January 11, 2022, 05:57:23 AM
I found a small stash of (1980's?) Johnson and Johnson band aids in the medicine cabinet at the cabin over the holidays, the kind with the red string to help open the package. The outer packaging feels and looks like wax paper with folded ends and still sealed like they were new. 30 or more years old maybe and kept in a non-climate controlled environment the whole time. Stuck one in my pocket and brought it home so I can test it the next time I get a cut.
Classic! I remember those pull string packages from the early '70s while growing up. I think they discoed the pull string in the early 90s.
Update on the hydrocolloid bandages:
Both brands staid on for 24 hours without skin problems. I even put lotion on my arms with them there (I forgot about them) and that didn't budge them. The Welly brand one took off hair when I removed it. Otherwise, they were not painful to remove.
These are designed to stay on and not be replaced daily as other types of bandages should be. The directions say to leave them on until they come loose and they were definitely not loose at the 24 hour mark.
I think these are a viable option if you tolerate them. I recommend testing one before you use it for injury, just in case you have a sensitivity. I now have more options for bandages for my intolerant skin and I'm comfortable recommending these to others with sensitive skin.
Another update to the hydrocolloid bandages:
I've tried one on an actual booboo now. I have no idea what happened, but I had a cut and a strip of raw skin. Caught it on something, I guess, but didn't feel it until later and, boy howdy, that raw bit of skin was stinging. Cleaned it, but couldn't find the Neosporine (this happens when you have four kids), but then I remembered the Welly bandages and popped one on.
I forgot about it.
I'm not sure anybody who doesn't have skin sensitivities can understand this. I don't forget anything on me. I can't forget my clothes I'm wearing. Everything that touches me bothers me. But this, I don't feel it. It is not bothering me in the slightest. It doesn't hurt like adhesive does. It's not even annoying me like my clothes do. It's just like it isn't even there. It also stays in place well. I've washed and lotioned up with this thing on and it hasn't budged.
I can safely say that I would recommend this to anybody who can't wear adhesive bandages. There are a handful of people who are allergic, so definitely test it before you need it. Otherwise, these are the bomb diggity of bandages.
Welly bandages are the ones that come in like a little tin with a paper slip that calls them "bravery badges", right ?
If so, I've seen them at Walmart and Dollar General, but have never tried them. I need to restock my bandages anyway, so I may pick up a box of them to try out.
Yes, Welly brand comes in a tin and the adhesive bandages designed for kids are called "Bravery Badges". The hydrocolloid bandages were designed for blisters, which frequently happen on the feet, and are called "Kicker Stickers".
I found this article (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24637650/) about silicone tape verses adhesive medical tapes designed for sensitive skin. I'll be trying silicone tape next.
Also, silicone tape is supposedly "reusable" but I'm not sure how that works, exactly. I know that it is "repositionable" but a lot of sellers use both terms, not just one or the other, so I'm not sure if that means you can use it for multiple uses and how you would sterilize it between. I use silicone menstrual cups and those can be boiled to sterilize, so perhaps the tape can be boiled, but then I'm not sure how it maintains its adherent nature. I'm not sure yet, still researching that part but not finding much. Perhaps the packaging of the tape will explain it.
Quote from: Anianna on February 13, 2022, 01:48:05 PM
Yes, Welly brand comes in a tin and the adhesive bandages designed for kids are called "Bravery Badges". The hydrocolloid bandages were designed for blisters, which frequently happen on the feet, and are called "Kicker Stickers".
I've only ever seen the "Bravery Badges" in my AO, but I'll look for the other stuff they make.
Quote from: Anianna on February 13, 2022, 01:48:05 PMYes, Welly brand comes in a tin and the adhesive bandages designed for kids are called "Bravery Badges". The hydrocolloid bandages were designed for blisters, which frequently happen on the feet, and are called "Kicker Stickers".
Awesome! I picked up two tins of the Bravery Badges on sale for when my nieces are around. I'm glad they're truly good quality and not "just pretty."
Quote from: RoneKiln on September 10, 2022, 07:23:42 PMQuote from: Anianna on February 13, 2022, 01:48:05 PMYes, Welly brand comes in a tin and the adhesive bandages designed for kids are called "Bravery Badges". The hydrocolloid bandages were designed for blisters, which frequently happen on the feet, and are called "Kicker Stickers".
Awesome! I picked up two tins of the Bravery Badges on sale for when my nieces are around. I'm glad they're truly good quality and not "just pretty."
Never tried the hydrocolloid bandages, but they came up in a search for weeping/oozing wounds while researching a recent dog injury - did some reading on them and decided they'd be good additions to the med supplies so picked up some 2x2's and 4x4's. Now if the dogs would only cooperate and only get hurt in places where they can be easily sheared/trimmed and bandaged.
Bandaid Flexible 1"x3"
Have used them for years. The pad goes through the entire width. I have showered with the multiple times and they still stayed on.
I carry a couple of them in my wallet.
I farmed, many cuts and scrapes and they were my go-to.