I’m usually good about keeping my hands safe, but every now and then I suffer an unavoidable scrape or cut. I keep a variety of Band-Aid and Nexcare adhesive bandages at home, in a workspace first aid kit, and in the car. There are a few styles and sizes I tend to prefer, but for smaller wounds I greatly prefer Nexcare’s clear waterproof bandages.
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What I like about Nexcare’s waterproof bandages is that they’re super-thin and easily conform to the many contours found on the hand. You can usually still wear gloves, as these bandages don’t easily snag.
You would think that some of the “tougher” bandage styles would be better, but they tend to be large, thick, and less conforming than these Nexcare bandages. These bandages also tend to endure hand washing pretty well.
The only downside of Nexcare’s clear waterproof bandages is that I sometimes forget I’m wearing them. Yes, they’re that comfortable and non-distracting to apply. That happened this morning when I was driving and remembered that I wanted to let my newly scraped pinky finger air out overnight.
These bandages are also pretty quick to apply. You unwrap the bandage, apply it to your skin, and then remove paper support backing.
You can buy these bandages online, but you’ll typically find better pricing at the local supercenter or pharmacy.
The 50-count box comes with 20 of the smallest size and 15 each of the two larger sizes.
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Nexcare also makes flesh-colored and neon waterproof bandages as well, and while I like using those too, they’re not at all the same as these. These clear waterproof bandages almost form a second skin over a wound, while the other waterproof bandages tend to encumber hand and finger flexibility and have much greater physical presence.
Andrew
I never thought I’d have a band-aid preference, but I happened to buy a box of the generic brand at Fred Meyers that was on sale for less than $1.50 and they have been the best I’ve used so far. I believe that would make them the Kroger brand.
They’re really tough, and if you need/want pressure from the band itself, they don’t unravel if you wrap them tight. They’re also noticeably thicker than most other band aids, which makes them extra tough, and the glue is well matched to them.
They aren’t waterproof, but they do hold up while getting wet as well. You’d probably want to put a fresh strip on after you’re done getting wet to prevent infection, but while you’re in the middle of it you don’t have to worry about them coming off.
When I found out I was moving away from any Kroger owned stores I loaded up on boxes of them because my wife is accident proned with our kitchen knives, and they were also on sale at the time.
Stuart
The reason I like these Nexcare ones is because they don’t restrict joint flexibility or hand movement in the way thicker bandages do. In the past month I had them on my left palm, left pointer knuckle, right forefinger, and left pinky.
Andrew
Yeah, I did pick that up, but I also never really felt uncomfortable wearing them. You’ probably always know they are there compared to these, but they stick so well that they flex with you without really worrying about them coming off. Someone I know had a rare chicken pox like itchy rash and was wearing about 30 of them on their torso at once to prevent their clothing from agitating the itchy bumps and they wore most of them all day.
So these will never be the second skin type of band aids, but they’re definitely “heavy duty.”
Art Cunningham
And for more serious “oops” …
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DPVERM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gordon DeWitte
+1 for the Nexcare Bandages. Just used a few after cleaning up fence and tree debris from a recent thunderstorm that roared through here with 70+ mph winds. They’re my go-to bandages; I really like their waterproofness and adhesion.
Mick
Nexcare is my first choice for bandaids. I wish someone would please come out with a fingertip bandaid that can be applied easily, fits well and protects a wound. Oh how I hate wrapping one down over and another around to secure it.
Thanks Stu……
*looks around*
great site ya have here
Stuart
Thanks, glad to have you as a reader! =)
Band-Aid does make a combo pack of fingertip and knuckle bandages that work really well. I haven’t seen them in stores for a while, but Band-Aid still lists it as a current product.
The fingertip bandage has wings that are usually enough to eliminate the need for a second wrap-around bandage.
http://www.band-aid.com/products/active-lifestyles
Scroll down to where it says “flexible fabric.”
You can order them from Amazon, but as with the Nexcare bandages discussed here, you can save a bit if you can find the fingertip and knuckle Band-Aid pack locally at Target, Walmart, or at a pharmacy or supermarket.
joe
They hold up pretty well even more if you first wast the oil of the skin. For sure they have a place in my tool box plus disinfectant wipes… those that come in little packages.
Stuart
I used a little single-use disinfectant wipe today. I have a few that came in a portable first aid kit, and they do come in handy. Oh boy did it sting a lot.