How to make a butterfly bandage - Genesis HealthCare System - Zanesville, Ohio

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How to make a butterfly bandage

A butterfly bandage can be used to hold the edges of a cut together while it heals. To make a butterfly bandage:

  • Cut a strip from a roll of 1 in. (2.5 cm) adhesive tape and fold it in half lengthwise, sticky side out.
  • Cut a notch not far from the fold in each long side of the tape.
  • Unfold the tape, then fold the notched pieces together, sticky side in. The center of the tape will be non-sticky. Keep this part clean since it will be over the wound.
  • Place one sticky end of the tape on the skin to one side of the wound, then pull the other sticky end tightly across the wound to pull the wound edges together. If the wound is long, you may need more than one bandage.

Current as of: June 26, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor, MD, MMEd, FRCPC - Emergency Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine

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