It's very common to get cuts and bruises while doing household chores, cutting vegetables in the kitchen, or when a naughty child is playing. Sometimes, just applying a regular plaster to the wound will fix the problem. But some wounds are a little deeper, and sometimes the skin looks like it's peeling off on both sides. But they're not big enough to need stitches. That's when the "Butterfly Bandage" or Steri-Strips come in handy. Today, we'll talk about how to use them exactly, what types of wounds they're good for, and when we should definitely see a doctor.
Simply put, what are these Steri-Strips?
Steri-Strips are very thin, adhesive bandages. They are used to hold a small wound or cut together to help it heal faster. Think of them as temporary stitches. Doctors sometimes use Steri-Strips to close incisions after surgery. They hold the edges of the skin together. This helps the wound heal faster and also prevents germs from entering and causing infections .
You probably have these Steri-Strips in your first-aid kit at home. But the most important thing to remember is that they should only be used on minor wounds. They don't work for every wound.
What are the pros and cons of using Steri-Strips?
This is very important. This information will help you decide whether to treat an injury at home or to see a doctor right away.
| Steri-Strips can be used for wounds like this 👍 | Do not use on wounds like this! 👎 (See a doctor immediately) |
|---|---|
| If the wound is not deep (usually if the bleeding stops after about 5 minutes of pressure). | If the wound is very open and the two sides are too far apart to be brought together. |
| If the edges of the wound are straight and neatly cut. | If the wound is very deep (for example, if yellow fatty tissue is visible under the skin). |
| If possible, keep the wound dry. | If the bleeding continues. |
| If the wound is in a place where the limb does not bend or move much (otherwise the bandages will come off quickly). | If the edges of the wound are rough, ragged, or torn . |
| If an animal (such as a dog or cat) or a human was bitten and injured. | |
| If you get injured by a rusty nail or something dirty (you should also think about piercing the back). |
Remember, if you have any doubts about the injury, do not even think about treating it at home. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or your family doctor.
Steri-Strips, Butterfly Bandage, Butterfly Stitches... Are these the same thing?
Although we often use these names interchangeably, there are slight differences between them.
- Steri-Strips: These are straight, uniform-width strips. They are the type most commonly used by doctors in clinics and hospitals.
- Butterfly Bandage: This is shaped like a butterfly. It is wide on both sides and thin in the middle. The thin part goes over the wound. These are commonly found in first aid kits available at pharmacies for home use. They work similarly to Steri-Strips.
- Butterfly Stitches: This is something completely different from the previous two. This is not a bandage, but a type of actual stitch. This name refers to a special stitch method in which a doctor uses a needle and thread used during surgery to place stitches through the layers of skin in the shape of a butterfly. This is an intracutaneous method.
Simply put, Steri-Strips and Butterfly Bandages are adhesive bandages that you can use at home. Butterfly Stitches are a type of actual stitch that a doctor places.
How do you apply a Steri-Strip correctly?
Doing this correctly is very important for the wound to heal quickly. Follow the instructions on the packet. These are the general things to do.
1. First, wash your hands thoroughly: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water. It is essential that your hands are clean before touching a wound.
2. Clean the wound and surrounding skin: Gently wash the wound and surrounding skin with lukewarm water and a mild soap (e.g., baby soap). Then gently pat dry with a clean cloth or piece of gauze.
3. Apply the first strip: Find the exact center of the wound. The first Steri-Strip should be applied in the middle, not at the top or bottom of the wound. Apply one side of the strip to the skin on one side of the wound and press firmly. Then lift the other side.
4. Bring the edges of the wound together: Now, with your fingers, gently pull the two edges of the skin on either side of the wound together and press them together. There should be no gap here. The two edges should be firmly joined together. Otherwise, the wound will open up again and there is a high chance of germs entering.
5. Apply the other side of the bandage: While holding the edges of the wound together, place the other half of the bandage you were lifting on the skin on the other side of the wound and apply it firmly. Do not apply the bandage to the wound, only to the skin on both sides. Also, do not pull the bandage to stretch it.
6. Apply the other bandages: Now apply the other bandages in the same way, above and below the first bandage. Leave a small gap of about 3 millimeters (about 1/8 of an inch) between each bandage. Apply the bandages in this manner until the entire wound is covered.
7. Apply more tape for security (optional): Now you can apply two more tapes on either side of the previous tapes, parallel to the wound (along the wound). This will help the tapes stay in place and not come off. It will look like two rails.
If you suddenly notice blood oozing from the Steri-Strips, it means the bleeding has not stopped yet. If this happens, seek medical advice immediately.
How long should Steri-Strips be left in place? How do I remove them?
Steri-Strips can usually be left in place for about two weeks. Most of the time, they will fall off on their own after that time. If the edges of the strips start to peel before two weeks, you can carefully cut off just the edges with a small pair of scissors. Do not attempt to remove the entire strip.
After two weeks, you can slowly remove these.
The correct way to remove Steri-Strips
Shouldn't you try to remove these like you would a regular plaster, just like you would a regular plaster, and then just pull it off? Doing so could cause the healing wound to reopen.
- First, remove the two strips that are glued on at the end like rails (if they were glued on).
- Then remove the main bandages applied across the wound one by one.
- Gently lift one end of the tape away from the skin and slowly pull it toward the wound. Pull it toward the wound, not away from it.
- As you take it off, gently press the newly exposed skin with a finger of your other hand. This will prevent the skin from pulling up.
- Remove the dressing until it reaches the top of the wound, and stop there. Do not remove the part above the wound.
- Now slowly lift the other end of the belt in the same way and bring it towards the side where the wound is.
- Now all that's left is the small piece above the wound. Finally, lift that piece very carefully and remove it.
This slow, two-part removal can prevent the wound from reopening.
Can you shower with Steri-Strips on?
Yes, you can shower while wearing Steri-Strips. However, if you have had them after surgery, your doctor may advise you not to get wet for 24-48 hours. So always follow your doctor's instructions.
Typically, you can gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then gently pat dry with a clean towel. Never rub or pull on the Steri-Strips. Remember, there is a healing wound underneath.
Symptoms that definitely require seeing a doctor
When using Steri-Strips, there is a small chance that the wound underneath could become infected. So be very aware of these symptoms. If you have any of these, don't try to treat them at home and see a doctor immediately.
- If the skin around the wound is red, swollen, feels hot to the touch , or the pain is increasing.
- If a pus-like fluid is oozing from the wound.
- If there is a bad smell coming from the wound.
These are the main signs of a wound infection. This cannot be treated at home. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious conditions such as ``cellulitis`` (infection of the skin and underlying tissues) or ``septicemia`` (blood poisoning).
Take-Home Message
- Steri-Strips are a very useful item to use at home for small, shallow, straight cuts.
- Before treating any wound, it is imperative to thoroughly clean your hands and the wound .
- If the wound is deep, bleeding profusely, caused by an animal bite, or by something dirty, do not treat it at home and go to a doctor or a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- While using Steri-Strips, always be on the lookout for signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, pus, or a foul odor from the wound. If this occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have even the slightest suspicion about an injury, the safest thing to do is to consult a doctor.
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