Before applying:
- Wash your hands — this reduces the risk of getting dirt into the injured area.
- Dry the skin around the wound: a plaster sticks much less well to a damp or greasy surface.
- Open the packaging immediately before use — the plaster is sterile, and unnecessary contact with surfaces should be avoided.
When applying:
- Peel the protective film off the adhesive edge without touching the pad with your fingers.
- Position the pad exactly over the injury, not to the side of it — otherwise the adhesive edge will end up on the wound itself.
- Press the edges down lightly all the way round so that no loose areas are left through which dust could get in.
When removing:
- Peel it off slowly, holding the skin next to it with your free hand — this reduces pulling.
- Pull the plaster parallel to the skin rather than straight up: this way the adhesive layer comes away more gently.
- If the plaster has stuck, moisten the edge with warm water or put a drop of oil on the adhesive edge and wait a minute — it will come away without a jerk.
Change the plaster when it gets wet or dirty or the edge starts to peel, and also when the wound is due to be cleaned. Do not leave the same plaster on for longer than necessary: prolonged contact of the adhesive layer with the skin can cause irritation, especially in sensitive areas.