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Dressing

Different type of dressing is done in different types of accidents and wounds for quick

recovery of the wound.

Aim of dressing

To protect the wound from contact with pathogenic (disease causing) organisms

and germs.

To stops bleeding.

To absorbs the elimination from the wounds.

How to do the dressings.

While you dress the wound take care of the wound as well as the dressing.

One should not cough or sneee over the wound or bandage while dressing.

!f possible" hands should be washed with soap and water before dressing and must

do it after dressing. While doing dressing do not touch the wound and also that part of the dressing

which is going to touch the wound because this can lead to pus formation.

#pply any antiseptic cream or lotion and dress the wound with clean gaue and

cotton pads.

Types of dressings

$. Adhesive dressing-These are available in different sies. !n these

dressings a thick pad of cotton is fi%ed" on which antiseptic medicine isapplied. They have a sticking substance on them by which they can easilystick on the place it is applied. They are available in plastic or paper cover.

&efore applying them the skin around the wound should be dried and all

corners should be pressed with thumb or finger after applying so that itmay not come out. These types of bandages are proper for small wounds

and instant use. 'or e%ample &andaid.

. Gauze or lint dressing* This type of bandages" gaue or net cloth is cutin different sies. These bandages are soft and absorb the blood and other

discharge" so are usually used for dressing bigger wounds. The wound is

washed properly with antiseptic solution and antiseptic cream is applied.The wound is then covered with a piece of bandage of cotton gaue and

bandaged with uniform pressure (neither loose nor too tight). The

advantage of this type of bandage is that if the wound is bleeding it can bestopped.

+. Elastic roller bandage* it is designed to keep continuous pressure on the

body part. When properly applied" they can effectively control swelling or

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support in,ured limb. -lastic bandages are available " +" /" 0inch

width. These are effectively used in athletic environment" where in,uries to

muscle" bones or ,oints are common.

/. mprovised dressings used in emergency if the above types of bandages

are not available at the time of accidents then various other temporarybandages can be used. Towel" clean piece of cloth" handkerchief" piece of

paper" long socks" ties and other things can be used. Though there use is

temporary" still they are useful in condition of emergency because severbleeding can be controlled by these. #fter taking the patient to the doctor

or hospital other antiseptic bandages are used.

1. !et dressing* These are rarely used now a day because of possibility ofinfection. These types of bandages are used to control bleeding and

swelling. #ny available cloth" towel or handkerchief is made wet and tied

on the wounded area and water is poured on it at intervals. #ctually their

use is more effective in swollen wound.

Types of bandages

$. Triangular bandage* these bandages have three corners and three sides. Theseare $meter long and broad.

2se it is used for chest" back and head.

. "ling bandage*These are used to support wounded arm" shoulder" neck" and

chest.

+. #oller bandage* 3 inch to $ inch broad (for fingers)a. 4 inch to inch broad (for neck and head)

b. " $5 inch or + inch broad (for ,oints of hands and legs)

c. / inch to 0 inch broad (for chest and hip)i. These bandages should be folded and tied neatly and properly.

ii. There should be no crease or folds.

iii. These bandages are used to keep the ointment and cotton gaue inits original place.

iv. These should not be tied too tightly.

#ules for application of roller bandages

$. 6eep the person in comfortable position.. 7ive support to the portion on which bandage is to be tied.

+. !f the bandage is tied on the left organ than roller bandage should be kept in the

right hand and vice versa./. 6eep the open end of the bandage on the affected area and go on rolling.

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1. Do not open the bandage more than to + inch while rolling.

0. The pressure applied in tying the bandage should be same throughout.

8. 9heck that bandage may not be too loose or too tight because there is danger oflack of blood supply to the affected area.

:. The fold during bandaging should cover 5+rdpart of the previous fold.

;. 6eep cotton pads wherever necessary so that there is no rubbing of the bandagewith soft skin.

$. This is applied on leg andfore arm in place of reverse spiral.

1. Spica roller bandage* it is a bandage transformed in shape of the figure of eight

and is used for hips shoulders and upper part of the thighs.0. Sling Bandages - #rm sling" 9ollar and cuff sling" triangular ?ling" 9love hitch

knot.

8. Improvised slings* !f you don>t have any thing at hand and if a person is wearinga shirt or a coat then tuck the sleeves with the garment of the chest to give support

to the in,ured portion. !n emergency a handkerchief" muffler or belt can also be

used.

What is a @eef 6notA

# @eef 6not is double type of knot that is used for tying the bandage. !t should not be too

big or raised high" because with this there is a possibility of scratch and feeling ofuneasiness. #fter tying" the remaining end of the bandage should be inserted at the back

of under the bandage so that hanging end should not look odd.