Dressings and types of bandages
Bandaging is the process of covering a wound or an injured part.
The aims of bandaging are as follows.
- To prevent contamination of a wound.
- To support the injured area and give it rest.
- To maintain cotton wool pads, gauze, and splints in position.
- To control hemorrhage.
- To immobilize a fracture or dislocation.
- To immobilize an injured part so as relieve pain.
There are different types of bandages, e.g. roller bandage, triangular bandage, many tailed bandage (for abdomen), four tailed bandage (for chin), and T-shaped bandage (for perineum). The bandage may be made of cotton, jute, wool, or of special material, e.g. elastic bandage, crepe bandage. The size of the bandage depends on the part to which the bandage is to be applied, as shown in the following table.
Size of bandage
Part width of bandage length of bandage
Head 6-8 4-6
Chest 10-15 6-8
Upper limb 5-6 3-4
Thigh 8-9 4
Leg 6-8 4
Fingers 2.5 2
Wrist 5 3
Hand 5 3
