They sometimes come in different shapes and sizes, or you can cut them to size. Some plasters are waterproof. Is the bleeding light and manageable? Use a sterile cloth to put pressure on the cut for at least 5 minutes. Don’t use Steri-Strips if the cut is still bleeding after 5 minutes. Steri-Strips are sometimes a better option than regular stitches because they don’t need to be sewn into the skin and can be easily removed when the wound heals. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Blisters: foam heel plasters or foot plasters can be used to both soothe and prevent blisters from forming by offering a cushioned area and preventing chafing. Often people use heel plasters for shoes that rub to prevent blisters until the shoes have been broken in.

Medicated plasters contain an active ingredient and are designed to assist with healing or alleviate the symptoms of a wound, such as pain or irritation. They are sometimes called healing plasters . Place more butterfly stitches across the cut — alternating above and below the first strip about 1/8 of an inch apart — until you feel the edges of the cut are adequately held together. Pain-relief plaster s: the local analgesic lidocaine is a common ingredient in pain-relief plasters, capable of soothing the symptoms of post-herpetic neuralgia, a painful skin condition that occurs as a result of shingles. Wash and dry your hands before applying any dressing, and wear disposable surgical gloves if you have them.Lammers RL. (n.d.). Chapter 35: Methods of wound closure.Clinical procedures in emergency medicine, 5th edition. Some plasters for spots offer additional benefits, like micro-darts targeting deep cystic spots, but ultimately, the hydrocolloid provides the active benefit in any spot patch. A hydrocolloid plaster can drain a spot overnight, a process which could take a week if left untreated. However, not all spots can be cured by using spot plasters. They only work if the spot is in its life cycle's pustule or papule stage. If you can see visible pus beneath the surface, this is when the acne plaster is likely to work. Are the edges of the wound straight? Steri-Strips are best for shallow cuts that have straight, clean edges.

Sterile (hygienic) dressing pads come in a protective wrapping. Once out of the wrapping, they're no longer sterile.

How to Apply a Plaster

Takayama S, et al. (2017). Comparing Steri-Strip and surgical staple wound closures after primary total knee arthroplasties. DOI:

Is the wound less than a 1/2 inch in length? Steri-Strips aren’t recommended for cuts that are a 1/2 inch or longer.If you cannot stop the bleeding, go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible. Plasters (adhesive dressings) Bunions can cause pain and discomfort walking, but treating and even preventing them is possible. Find out more in these articles: Position the butterfly stitch across the middle of the cut to hold the edges together, not lengthwise. When considering whether to use Steri-Strips to close a wound, you’ll want to ask yourself the following questions:

A small number of people are allergic to the adhesive strips – ask them if this is the case before applying a plaster. Further informationFingertip plasters are specially-shaped plasters designed to protect minor wounds to the end of the finger. They look like the outline of a butterfly or bow tie, and are applied differently to a normal plaster. Here is the technique: hold the dressing at the edges, keeping your fingers away from the part that's going to cover the wound