Medical tape burns are an all-too-common ailment experienced by patients who require bandages after surgery or other procedures. These burns occur when a medical tape is applied or removed from the skin. While many patients have no problem at all, some experience serious skin irritation that can slow the overall healing process.
Treatments can be performed to help the skin heal after a medical tape burn. Special tapes, such as Hy-Tape, can also be applied to bandages to keep them in place without any potential skin irritation. In this article, we’ll discuss more details about surgical tape burns, treatments for the situation, and how Hy-Tape can be a good alternative to regular medical tape.
What is Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (MARSI)
Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (also known as MARSI) is a skin injury that is brought on by the tape applied to a bandage and a patient’s skin. The adhesives can cause a reaction to certain people’s skin, leading to substantial skin irritation, bleeding, or rashing.
According to studies, MARSI seems to be closely related to a patient’s age and condition. Babies in neonatal intensive care make up 17 percent of cases. Wounds International states that 1.5 million skin tears occur in elderly long-term care patients in the US annually. While the very young and low-health elderly are the most susceptible to MARSI, the condition can happen to anyone.
MARSI can be an issue for patients with specific health conditions, as well. Those with blood circulation problems, skin allergies, poor nutrition, dehydration, steroid medication needs, and going through cancer treatments are all more susceptible than most other patients. Any situation that causes thinning of the skin can make it easier for a medical tape burn to occur.
Learn More: Neonatal MARSI
Treatment for Medical Tape Burns
Treating MARSI or other medical tape burns is fairly simple. With the right cleaning and application of a new bandage and tape, a patient can heal rather quickly from MARSI or medical tape burns. Here are a few tips for treating the situation:
- Slowly remove the tape to avoid further damage to the skin.
- Gently wash the skin with warm, soapy water to remove excess adhesive.
- Softly pat the skin dry to avoid rubbing the skin and causing further damage.
- Carefully apply a new bandage over the wound with a different tape.
Medical tape burns can be irritating to patients and doctors alike, as they can slow the healing process and cause undue pain. Here are a few tips for avoiding skin issues in the future:
- Barrier wipes and sprays can be applied to the skin and dried before applying a bandage and tape to the skin.
- Tape should only contact the skin where absolutely necessary.
- Use tension-free tape that removes from the skin easily.
- Avoid peeling back the tape unless new bandages are needed.
- Consider taking an antihistamine medication to help avoid an allergic reaction.
Learn More: Mitigating Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury (MARSI)
How Hy-Tape Helps Prevent Skin Irritation
Hy-Tape is designed to be sensitive to a patient’s skin in every way. The product features zinc oxide, a common ingredient in sunscreen, which helps protect the skin as it makes contact. The tape is also flexible, making it easy for the patient to maneuver without cutting into the skin.
Hy-Tape is waterproof and designed to keep foreign debris and liquid at bay. When bandages need replacing, the tape peels away easily to help avoid skin irritation. Finally, Hy-Tape is latex-free, making it a great choice for patients who may have an allergy to latex and could have a reaction.
For patients who suffer from surgical tape burns or have sensitive skin, a skin-friendly tape like Hy-Tape could be the best answer. Contact us today to learn more about our line of products and discover the one that works best for you or your patients.