Plastered!
Which wound covering should you choose? The other day I popped into the pharmacy for a box of plasters to be confronted by a ssmorgesboard of choice! There is now a plaster for every occasion. If you’ve ever been confused read on.

Faster Healing: Hydrocolloid is a substance which forms a gel when it absorbs water. It maintains a moist environment around a wound that prevents drying of the skin and a hard scab. This substance revolutionised blister healing. Specialist blister plasters form a second skin and prevent rubbing, while wicking away the moisture and encouraging healing. They should be in every hiker’s backpack as well as in the handbag of every girl who loves new shoes!

Spray-on: This is great for minor cuts and grazes especially on tricky areas like elbows and knees. A clear flexible film is sprayed over the area to protect it from bacteria.

Pain-killing: Yes really! These temporarily relieve pain by dispensing painkilling ingredients on to the skin. They are best for sports injuries, sprains and backache.

Blood-stopping: Micro-dispersed oxidised cellulose (m-doc) is a powder which rapidly absorbs blood from wounds. It forms a soft gel layer over the cut to stop the flow. Great for kitchen knife injuries and shaving cuts which won’t stop bleeding.

Burn plasters: Like blister plasters these are made with hydrocolloid that stops the plaster sticking to the burn and restores the natural level of moisture to the skin so that it can regenerate with less scarring. By Louise Addison.