Bandage facts for kids
A bandage is a strip of cloth or other material. It is used to cover and protect wounds. Bandages help to stop bleeding and keep wounds clean.
Sometimes, people use the word "bandage" to mean a dressing. A dressing is the part that goes directly on the wound. A bandage then holds the dressing in place.
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Different Kinds of Bandages
Bandages come in many shapes and sizes. Each type helps with different kinds of injuries.
Gauze Bandages
Gauze bandages are very common. They are simple strips of woven material. They can be wide or narrow, long or short.
Gauze bandages are useful for many things. You can use them to hold a dressing over a cut. They can also help keep a splint in place. Some gauze bandages have a special layer. This layer stops the bandage from sticking to the wound.
Compression Bandages
Compression bandages are special bandages that apply pressure. They are used for different reasons.
Short Stretch Compression Bandages
These bandages are wrapped around a body part, like an arm or leg. They are often used for swelling or venous ulcers. They can get a little shorter after you put them on. This means they do not squeeze too much when you are resting. This is called "resting pressure" and it feels comfortable.
But when you move your muscles, the bandage becomes very firm. This creates a strong resistance. This resistance is called "working pressure." It helps support the injured area.
Long Stretch Compression Bandages
Long stretch bandages can stretch a lot. This means you can easily adjust how much pressure they apply. However, they put a lot of pressure on the body part even when you are resting. Because of this, you usually need to take them off at night. You should also remove them if you are resting for a long time.
Triangular Bandages
A triangular bandage is a piece of cloth shaped like a triangle. It often comes with safety pins to hold it. You can use it in many ways:
- Unrolled, it can be a sling to support an arm.
- Folded, it can be a regular bandage for a cut.
- It can also be used for special areas, like the head.
One cool thing about this bandage is that you can make one yourself. You can use a piece of fabric or even a scarf. The Boy Scouts often teach how to use these. Their neckerchiefs can easily be folded into a triangular bandage.
Tube Bandages
A tube bandage is like a continuous circle of woven material. You put it on using a special tool called an applicator.
Tube bandages are great for holding dressings or splints on arms and legs. They also give support to sprains and strains. This support helps the injured area heal.
Images for kids
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The double-spica bandage used on thigh injuries in ancient Greece
See also
In Spanish: Vendaje para niños
