If you are weighing the usage of micropore tape in the place of duct tape or vice versa, there are a few facts you need to know about the two and the various qualities they possess. The two tapes serve different purposes, which makes each of them either suitable or completely incompatible in certain situations.
Duct tape, to begin with, is very efficient at securing loose items and makes for an essential in the toolkit. But it is not biocompatible, which renders it inappropriate for most medical uses. Duct tape is extremely popular for all kinds of regular uses and is wrongly being used to substitute medical tape by people who simply do not have enough time for a proper wound dressing.
This may be harmful, and using duct tape and any other non-medical adhesives are not recommended for use in closing wounds or treating scars. You must never put tape directly over a cut or even near it, since removing this tape can be extremely painful and could also cause your wound to bleed out more.
This being said, there may be a situation wherein you need a bandage but you cannot find a first aid kit. In such cases, it is advised to use duct tape without sticking it on the injured skin or the wound directly. Instead, it can be used to wrap the fabric that can hold a clean cloth in place. Thus, it is clear that using duct tape for medical purposes may create more problems than solutions.
Micropore Tape is a surgical tape that is made out of microporous material. Microporous material is any material that contains small pores. This tape is affordable. Moreover, it sticks well to the skin and leaves little residue after removing despite its adhesive qualities. While it is a good idea to check the brand before purchasing, the tape is generally latex free and hypoallergenic.
Micropore Tape is used for general purpose surgical taping and is suitable for those with sensitive skin, such as elderly patients and those whose skin easily gets irritated by tapes. Micropore tape usually will not stay on after you take a shower, and even if it does, you will have to change it. It is thus better not to use it under wet conditions. However, it can be applied to damp skin.
The porous quality allows it to let in air and moisture, in a way letting it “breathe”. It is not as flexible though, almost like paper, which makes it hard to use on parts of the body that need to be flexed or extended. One of the advantages is the fact that it is adhesive and adheres to the skin without leaving residue or causing pain when it is removed.
The way it easily sticks onto the skin and peels of with equal ease, is perhaps its best quality. Not only skin, but it manages to stick well to plastic, glass and other tapes as well. The other common uses for micropore tape include dressing wounds or holding medical tubing in place. Because of its “breathing” quality, it is perfect for these cases. It also adheres well to moist skin, but not too firmly to dry skin, while sticking long enough to make it versatile. It works as long as not too much stress is applied on the tape.
Mostly, when a wound or tube needs adhering, micropore tape is the one which is used until it proves incapable of handling the task. This is because it is so user-friendly. It sticks on and comes off fairly easily, especially in comparison to the aforementioned competitor duct tape. It causes less skin trauma for the patient, and is easy to handle for the doctor. For situations that have different needs, there are different variations of tape that can be used to deal better.
Lastly, micropore tape price makes it one of the less expensive and more affordable types of tapes. While you may argue that duct tape has more diverse uses, it is clear that for something as important as a medical procedure something as compatible as micropore tape is a requirement.
To know more details about micropore tape, or about any other similar medical tapes, you can log on to Smart Medical Buyer. Smart Medical Buyer is a platform where you can buy hospital supplies and medical consumables such as a stethoscope online at great prices.
