If you have thin skin, chances are the thick adhesive of the medical tape will get stuck to your skin. It can be quite painful to get off once it’s really stuck there since it was used to keep the cover stable and sturdy. There are some ways that you can use to get the tape off without damaging a layer of your skin. These methods can include washes, oils, and alcohol, all of which act as a lubricant to make sure the tape is off without the person getting hurt.

Adhesive Oil:

Adhesive oil isn’t a specific kind of oil. Any kind of oil can be used to get rid of adhesive, but baby oil is preferred as it is gentle on the skin. People tend to use petroleum jelly as well because it is the best form of lubricant to get rid of sticky substances. Another household product that you can use as a lubricant is baby shampoo. You will use your choice of lube and rub it over the affected area in a gentle manner. This will help get the adhesive off with relative ease.

Dissolve with Alcohol:

Alcohol is also a good option if you want to get rid of sticky substances, like adhesive. However, it is important to use medical-grade alcohol or rubbing alcohol to make sure no extra substances are getting into your open wound. You rub the alcohol over the affected area, slowly and carefully until all of the adhesives are off. However, as soon as the adhesive is gone make sure to wash the affected area with water so that the wound doesn’t dry it. 

Using Ice:

Ice is a method that is used often to get rid of adhesive that is stuck to the skin. Rubbing a block of ice over the adhesive will harden it and make it brittle. The ice will dry out the sticky characteristics of the adhesive and allow you to simply brush off the leftover bits. This trick is especially helpful when you are dealing with the skin of a child. A child’s skin is fragile and if not dealt with care, can lead to significant harm. Ice is readily available and perhaps the cheapest method to get rid of the adhesive.

Create a Flap:

Before you attach the medical tape to the skin, turn a section at the over and stick it to itself. This will create a makeshift flap that you can use later on to get rid of the adhesive. This method can be more painful than the ones mentioned before, but it’s quicker and reliable. It is imperative that you are slow and steady when removing the tape, though. Quick gestures can cause the skin to rip. A trick used by many medical professionals is pulling against the skin of the person, this will remove the adhesive quicker and in a less agonizing manner.

Different Kinds of Medical Tape:

There is a wide range of medical tapes that you can choose from to ensure the safety of the skin and the wound. There is no right medical tape, but it can vary with preference. Here are some of the user favorite choices available at AvaCare Medical.

These are some companies that make tapes that are gentle on the skin while also being resilient and helpful in the process of healing.

Factors that Make a Medical Tape Good:

The medical tape should be:

  1. Breathable
  2. Gentle on the skin
  3. Should stick to the skin
  4. At an affordable rate
  5. Can be waterproof
  6. Flexible

If a medical tape is too stiff it can prove to be quite irritating for the person using it. Breathability accounts for making sure oxygen is reaching the skin. The adhesive used should be of good quality and stick to the skin.

Taking into account all these methods, perhaps the most viable way to take care of your skin is to use a medical tape that is not only high quality but also good for the skin. Anything too sticky can prove to be bad for the healing wound, as well. Aiding in healing is imperative for any medical tape. Regardless, if you do get stuck in a situation such as this, any of these tricks should work like a charm, just be careful and use substances that are safe for the skin. For more medical supplies from well-known companies, do visit our website. You can call us at 1.877.813.779 or email us at [email protected]