Life was much easier just recently. Go to the store or pharmacy too. When asked to sell an adhesive plaster, the buyer was offered either a roll of a standard width, or a well-known plate with a piece of gauze glued to it, treated with an antiseptic. Today, the choice is striking in its variety. Before going to the pharmacy for the best adhesive plaster, let's try to figure out what is behind this concept.

What are the plasters

Dressings differ in purpose, shape and composition. The assortment in the pharmacy is quite large. Here are a few groups to help you navigate when choosing the right product.  

By appointment

Among the variety of adhesive plasters, the following groups should be distinguished.

• Bactericidal. Yes, the one well-known from childhood. Its main task is to protect damaged skin from bacterial infection and speed up the healing process. True, the appearance of the patch has undergone significant changes. You can choose a flesh-colored product, or completely transparent. Or you can purchase a set for children with bright drawings. Moreover, the drawing is easy to pick up for both girls and boys. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
• Fixing. Its purpose is to securely fix a bandage or catheter. Here, technology also does not stand still. Both the material and the dimensions have changed, and most importantly, modern products are comfortable to use. An interesting option is from a stretching polyester fabric. This patch helps to secure the bandages on the joints.
• An excellent option for women is an anti-corn plaster. Today, you can choose plasters for dry or wet calluses. In the latter case, a special gel impregnation creates a protective barrier between the skin and shoes and has a mild analgesic effect.

In a separate row there are medicinal adhesive plasters. Among them:

• peppercorns, which are excellent for treating diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• to relieve pain in joints, back, muscles, with anti-inflammatory and warming effect;
• female patches for the removal of premenstrual syndrome.

Surgeons also note Steri-Strip medical sterile strips and large-size plasters impregnated with special drugs. They are widely used to treat burns, bedsores, and wound closure in the postoperative period.

By type of materials

Currently, adhesive plasters are made from various materials.

• Cloth-based dressings are gradually becoming a thing of the past. They do not adhere well. But, if it is stuck, then it is very difficult to remove it. As a rule, this is accompanied by painful sensations and dirty marks, which are rather difficult to wash off.
• Polymer-based plasters. Consumers love them because they are often transparent. Doctors - for being well fixed and at the same time easily removable. Most often, polymeric materials are used for the production of fixing adhesive plasters. As a rule, they have a breathable structure and are not afraid of getting wet.
• Adhesive plasters based on artificial silk fibers. They do not create discomfort.Tear easily for easy dressing removal. Does not cause irritation.
• Cellulose or viscose patches. Many people call them paper. Thin, lightweight, discreet, breathable. They are porous and absorb moisture well. You can wear a bandage with such a patch for up to a week.

Today, wax products can be found more and more often on sale. It is correct to call a medicinal substance collagen. They are sold in the form of plates on paper or in the form of plastic mass in tubes or bubbles. Upon contact with the skin, under the influence of body temperature, the mass softens, evenly spreads over the surface of the skin and, hardening, tightens the edges of the wound, at the same time creating a protective film.

By impregnation

This point mostly concerns bactericidal and anti-ash plasters. More recently, in the first case, brilliant green was used. Today they prefer to get away from it, because it is not the best antiseptic and leaves ugly marks on the skin. Chlorhexidine, preparations with silver ions, boric acid or quinosole are used more often. Ash plasters use salipod or salicylic acid to treat dry corns. And a variety of medicines for the treatment of wet corns.

Rating of quality adhesive plasters

Below is a small list of the most popular models, broken down by categories.

Fixing

They are more often used in medical institutions to secure dressings, catheters and other materials. But sometimes the bandage has to be worn for a long time at home. What is better to choose in order to securely fix it and not feel discomfort.

Omniplast, Germany

Cloth-based plaster. Made of hypoallergenic viscose. The inner surface is coated with rubber based adhesive. Made specifically for people with sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions. More suitable for fixing medical equipment on the skin. It rarely acts as a fixation of bandages, and only if it is small.

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Adhesive plaster "Omniplast" is produced in rolls of 5 or 9 meters. In pharmacies it is found in three versions. Widths 1.25, 2.5 and 5 cm.The cost is from 80 to 250 rubles.

Uniplast, Russia

The bactericidal adhesive plasters produced by Veropharm deserve a lot of criticism and negative reviews. But the polymer-based fixation model has found its place in the market. The plaster is transparent. Doctors appreciate this moment, because they can monitor the condition of the wound surface, catheters or probes. Customers liked its invisibility on the skin and smooth surface. There are some nuances in using it. You need to glue it on dry, fat-free skin with alcohol.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

It goes on sale in rolls of 5 meters on a transparent reel. The range is presented in three sizes, with a width of 1.25, 2.5 or 5 centimeters. The cost, depending on the choice, is from 100 to 200 rubles.

Ecoplast EcoFilm plus, Republic of Latvia

Polymer-based patch, almost transparent, with a smooth surface and odorless. It holds the bandage well. It adheres perfectly to the skin with a layer of hypoallergenic glue. Perforated surface, breathable. A distinctive feature is that the patch does not react to high temperatures and X-rays. Therefore, all treatment procedures can be carried out without removing the dressing material. Of course, if it is possible for medical reasons.

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Ecoplast EcoFilm plus is available in rolls. Length 5 meters. Width 2.5 or 5 cm. Cost - 65-85 rubles for a coil with a narrow dressing material and 140-170 rubles for a wide one.

Bactericidal

A product that should be in every first aid kit. Its purpose is not only to protect the wound surface from contamination and pathogenic microorganisms, but also to accelerate the healing process.

EMPLASTO (invisible), China

The Chinese company produces a large number of bactericidal patches on a fabric or polymer basis. Her assortment includes sets with different shapes and sizes. But, let us dwell in more detail on transparent polymer adhesive plasters. They are in demand due to the fact that they are almost invisible while wearing. Made in the form of a transparent strip, on which a thin layer of a silvery antiseptic is applied.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

As a disadvantage, it is worth noting the fact that the product has not passed certification and is not sold in Russian pharmacies. The patch will have to be ordered online from Chinese sites. The average price is 140-160 rubles per package.

SILKOPLAST, Italy

One of the budget and popular options for adhesive plaster. Polymer base and soft pad impregnated with antibacterial composition with silver ions.

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The SILKOPLAST adhesive plaster also differs in its budgetary cost. For 20 pieces you will have to pay 140-160 rubles.

SILKOFIX, Egypt

The Egyptian company is a manufacturer of excellent universal adhesive plaster kits for sensitive skin. The set includes 10 adhesive plasters. A lightweight, porous cellulose material is used as a base. It fixes well on the skin and does not cause irritation. Most often it is used to treat wounds in children, or on the skin of the face, neck, décolleté. The soft bactericidal pad is treated with silver ions, and, according to the manufacturer, is able to cope with half a thousand microbes.

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The cost for a pack of 10 pieces is 110-130 rubles.

Anti-ash adhesive plasters

It is difficult to find a person who has not encountered calluses. Especially for women. Often the pleasure of buying a new pair of shoes turns into torment. Wet calluses are not only discomfort, but also severe pain. Dry calluses are no less troublesome.

GEHWOL MAZOLNY EXTRA, Germany

This adhesive plaster will allow you to forget about dry calluses. Moreover, it also has a slight corrective effect, which is especially important when calluses appear on the toes. With the help of a gel-like component, he gently spreads his fingers, straightening them, and thereby preventing relapse.

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COSMOS HYDRO ACTIVE, Germany

Adhesive plasters for the treatment of wet calluses. Made of soft to the touch textiles, flesh-colored. The absorbent layer acts as a protection. When it comes into contact with wet corn, it absorbs moisture and at the same time creates a soft cushion that protects the skin from repeated rubbing.

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Disadvantages:

However, given the low cost in the region of 300 rubles, you can put up with the shortcomings.

COMPEED FROM WET CASES, USA

One of the best adhesive plasters for important calluses. It adheres tightly to the surface, protects wounds well from dirt and microbes, does not peel off for a long time, does not deform or slip during active movement.

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The cost of the COMPEED adhesive plaster is quite high. Within 480-500 rubles per package. But most buyers think the price is fair.

The choice of adhesive plasters is large today. You need to choose them, first of all, for their purpose and level of comfort. And only then focus on brands, friends' advice and ratings.