(Part 2) Best wound care & dressings according to redditors

Aww I am so sorry that thing is still giving you trouble! I just wanted to offer a bit of unsolicited advice for the scarring:

I have had a few surgeries now including having multiple moles removed from my face and body, both by GP's and plastic surgeons. One of the things I learned from the plastic surgeon who did the first one was to use moist healing whenever possible.

I know how hard it is to get a damn bandage to stick to your face anyway, so here's what I do.

Supplies:

• 2nd skin moist burn pads - these are pricey but form a clear less noticeable barrier that stays moist. I changed bandages daily so buying a box for $35 was cheaper in the long run by far compared to buying 3 single pads for $7 - these are also available in small packs from walgreens.
  
  
• Tegraderm clear adhesive dressing - This stuff is the holy grail of bandages, it sticks without irritating already irritated skin, it is flexible, invisible, and matte so you can put makeup over it. It does not leave a film or residue of any kind. It also comes in a long roll that you can cut to fit, which is what I did as it's cheaper.
  
  
• Skin prep - This stuff makes bandages STICK. I use it on my little girl before putting a bandaid on because she will peel the damn thing off two seconds later. This stuff is amazing! You swab it on before applying a bandage and presto! No peeling, even in water. It also protects the skin from damage and cleans wounds gently.
  
  
• Small sterile scissors (wipe down with rubbing alcohol)
  
  
• sterile tweezers
  
  
• a clean paper towel to lay everything on
  
  The procedure: After cleansing with a gentle cleanser, but BEFORE moisturizing, wash your hands. Cut a small square to fit your wound site from the 2nd skin. This only needs to cover the actual broken skin, but will really help the crusty build up if you decide to cover the whole thing.
  
  Cut a square slightly larger of the tegraderm and round the corners to prevent peeling. You want 1/4-1/2 inch overhang for the tegraderm to adhere properly. Get a skin prep wipe out and tear open package. Don't get any on your fingers, this stuff is sticky.
  
  Peel the blue plastic layer of the 2nd skin and place it on your wound, then using tweezers and your fingers gently peel the clear plastic film from the top. You should be left with a really soothing nice little clear patch of gel - don't worry if you mess this up, the smaller the wound the more fiddly it is at first.
  
  Next, using your tweezers, remove the prep site pad from its foil and swab gently all around the edges of the 2nd skin, covering the whole area that the tegraderm will be covering. Set that aside.
  
  Next, grab your tegraderm. Like the skin prep, this stuff has two layers, there will be a paper liner on one side, the clear film itself in between, and a paper "ring" around the outside to help you with application. Peel the paper liner from that side, exposing the adhesive, and place over your wound, completely covering the 2nd skin. Do not stretch it as you apply, and press gently all around the edges to ensure a good seal. Gently peel the leftover paper ring from the outer edge, and you are done.
  
  You can safely leave this bandage on for a week or more, but you'll probably find if you're wearing makeup that it will start to peel by the end of the day. You can gently apply lotion to your face, and then concealer and makeup over the whole bandage.
  
  Sorry this got long, before I shut up and return to my hole: Some pictures/anecdotal evidence. I had two similarly sized moles removed by a GP, not a plastic surgeon. I used the above method on the one cut out of my face, from the moment I got home with the stitches still in, and left the other mole to heal on its own following the GP's directions of keep dry and covered til stitches removed. (Bandage changes this complicated would have been impossible by myself as that mole was on my shoulder blade.) As you can see the one on my face is nearly invisible, while the one on my shoulder blade puffed up nicely and remains discolored.
  
  I hope this helps!

One thing the doctors never told me about after seeing them a few times after wrecks is Tegaderm. It's amazing for roadrash, actually have some on right now :-\ arrrrgh crashing!
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Tegaderm-Transparent-Film-Dressing/dp/B001CYEWKC

Tubular Stretch Bandage?

Commercial name Surgifix

Get some streatch gauze, wrap it around your left index glove finger. Now you've got a handy wipe anytime.

No need to wash it with hydrogen peroxide twice a day. If you really feel the need to clean it all that often you can use sterile saline or just soap and water honestly. The antibacterial ointment is okay.

If it isn't open or draining any fluid you don't really have to put a bandage on it, unless the rubbing of your pants opens it up, or it is painful without a dressing.

If you still feel the need to keep it bandaged, I suggest a 4x4 gauze (or two depending on the size) wrapped with something like kerlix around your thigh to keep it in place. Don't use an ace bandage or those stretchy wrap bandages because they will tighten throughout the day and can cut off circulation.

you could also keep the gauze in place with a piece of stockingette. Just cut some and it is like a little sleeve you can slip around your thigh over the gauze pads.

So many options! You should be able to pick this stuff up at any pharmacy, walmart, etc.

> 50' roll of Tegaderm (2" wide)

Is this the one? I'd love more input on where and what to buy exactly. All I have is SkinTac, which is great for the smaller infusion sets from Medtronic (Mio).

Here is what I use it’s amazing. Hope it helps luv xx.


Here’s a pic of the one I get link for bandages

>This isn't something you'd want some amateur attempting as it is definitely something that needs professional guidance to do well and most importantly CLEANLY AND SAFELY.

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MILLIONS of people stick needles in their arms EVERY SINGLE DAY.. whether it be for insulin or heroin.

nobody receives special training to use an epipen. stick in leg it about all there is to it.

you could probably learn from a hospital because they need to teach caregivers so nurses don't have to come over every day to inject meds.

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it doesn't sound like they're really concerned about getting it wrong.. take some notes.. maybe.. if you forget.

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https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000660.htm

>Giving an insulin injection
>
>To give an insulin injection, you need to fill the right syringe with the right amount of medicine, decide where to give the injection, and know how to give the injection.
>
>Your health care provider or a certified diabetes educator (CDE) will teach you all of these steps, watch you practice, and answer your questions. You may take notes to remember the details. Use the information below as a reminder.

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there are plenty if DIY recipes for drip hydration.

https://driphydration.com/blog/how-to-make-a-diy-hangover-prevention-kit/

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and you get IV bags on amazon a hundred at a time.

https://smile.amazon.com/Medline-DYND74261-Start-Kits-Chloraprep/dp/B004GC2LTQ/

needles are separate

https://smile.amazon.com/Piercing-Needles-Tattoo-Gauge-Catheter/dp/B01H3PKH34

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Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drip-bar-should-you-get-an-iv-on-demand-2018092814899

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NFL guys just drink pedialyte.

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Abbott Taps Odell Beckham Jr. To Promote Pedialyte For Adults

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2019/09/06/abbott-labs-signs-odell-beckham-jr-to-promote-pedialyte-for-adults/#2f040f0a7845