Medical tape isn't something most people have to deal with on a regular basis, but if you work in the medical field or with patients and injuries, it's important to know about the different types of medical tape and which applications they are best suited for. There are five main types of medical tape we stock at Team Medical Suppliers, being Silicone Tape, Sports Tapes & Strapping, Zinc Oxide Tapes (Leukoplast), Hypoallergenic Tapes (Micropore), Retention Tapes (Hypafix), as well as a collection of others, each designed to help address different needs, so understanding the differences between them can make sure you always have the right type of tape on hand when you need it. In this article, we explore the intricate details of each to help you answer this question.

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1) Silicone Tape

Silicone tape is a type of medical tape that is hypoallergenic and resistant to water. As such, it's ideal for use on areas where moisture might cause irritation, as in your armpits or neckline. Silicone provides high bio-compatibility with the skin, ensuring no harm is done to the affected tissue, ideal for patients with sensitive skin. It also comes in handy when you need strong adhesion on areas like knees and elbows since silicone tape provides a good stick-to-skin ratio, conforms excellently to the profile of the body, all while minimizing pain during removal. Silicone will benefit treatment in terms of monitoring the wound, too, as the transparency of the material provides more visibility of the affected area, preventing the common need for removal and more in-depth inspection.

Silicone tape doesn't have great tensile strength, however, so if your application requires an extended period of wear, a different type may be more appropriate.

2) Sports Tapes & Strapping

Injuries in sports are incredibly common, if not inevitable for those with high-intensity, high-contact demands. Sports tape & strapping is utilised by athletes to add both a protective and preventative mechanism over at-risk areas of the body either to encourage particular movement, improve joint stability, relieve pain, or add compression on soft tissue in order to reduce swelling. The highest-quality sports tape will therefore have to provide this support and compression to muscles, tendons, and ligaments without restricting range of motion needed for competition. This tape is best used during both game days and training sessions. It's also good for covering scratches and blisters during a race. This is a practice done not only to rehabilitate players after an injury, but also to prevent re-injury or exacerbation moving forward.

3) Zinc Oxide Tapes (Leukoplast)

You will most likely find zinc oxide tape in a first aid kit as these are one of the best materials for the immediate addressing of common injuries to prevent further complications. Zinc oxide tape is, unsurprisingly, made from zinc oxide, which is a naturally occurring mineral and used to protect skin and soft tissue injuries, such as minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Zinc oxide tape usually comes in strips that stick to themselves when applied to help eliminate wrinkles or skin folds. Sometimes it comes as an all-in-one bandage that has a cloth backing with an adhesive strip on top. These bandages generally stay on until you remove them (within reason) and are ideal for keeping out dirt and other nasty contaminants from wounds, particularly when you can't quite justify a full cast!

4) Hypoallergenic Tapes (Micropore)

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If someone suffers from allergies, then it can be a concern that the medical tape applied to an affected area will only create further complications rather than providing the healing needed. When in doubt, using hypoallergenic tapes is always a good choice. The adhesive doesn't irritate skin, so you don't have to worry about rashes or blisters, yet they are incredibly durable, meaning they will be secure to the point in question. It is for this reason hypoallergenic tapes are the most common choice of medical tape used in hospitals throughout Australia.

5) Retention Tapes (Hypafix)

How to Choose the Right Medical Tape for Wound Care

It's so crucial to select the proper medical tape whenever you need to take care of a wound. There are three kinds of tape to use for this task: 1) Paper Medical Tape, 2) Cloth Medical Tape, and 3) PE Transparent Medical Tape. Here's how each of those works for addressing various cuts, scrapes, and other abrasions.

When to Use Each Type of Tape

• Paper Medical Tape

1. 1. • Paper tape, or non-woven tape, provides ample protection of the wound site whenever there's a risk of infection. This tape has plenty of self-adhesive to keep it in place, and it's soft enough to minimize pain and discomfort when changing it. The adhesive has a soft silicone component to hold the tape in place, but without hindering the healing process.

• Cloth Medical Tape

1. 1. • Cloth tape often contains self-adhesive material, but it doesn't stick to skin or hair as tightly as other paper tapes. This is a superior option for comfort and ventilation, a serious concern for many patients. Although you wouldn't use cloth tape for the most serious wounds (like burns, ulcers, or surgical wounds), it is a fine way to address minor abrasions. Cloth tape also comes in many colorful or fashionable styles that you can coordinate with your clothing.

• PE (Polyethylene) Transparent Medical Tape

1. • Transparent tape is the best option if you need to visually monitor the wound condition. It's also yet another solid choice whenever there's a concern for pain and discomfort. PE tape comes off easily, has reliable water resistance, and has solid breathability. Like paper tape, it relies on a gentle silicone adhesive substance that doesn't leave any residues on your skin or wound site.

Other Factors that Influence Which Medical Tape to Use

Then there are a few patient-specific considerations that should guide how to select the right medical tape.

• A patient's skin type will often dictate the best tape selection. You may have to perform some trial-and-error depending on whether you have dry, moist, or fragile skin.
• Always investigate the wound site to determine proper tape positioning. Avoid applying it directly over hair and sebaceous glands as much as possible.
• Medical tape should not interfere with wound healing or cause epidermal layer separation. Keep an eye on potential problems with friction, tension, and flexion.

If you'd like to learn more about the medical tape, or anything else pertaining to wound care, then you're welcome to reach out to us at Sarasota Medical Products. Contact us anytime with product selection questions at 941-377-.

For more information, please visit Types Of Medical Tape.