The Role of Cotton Crepe Bandages in Managing Sprains, Strains, and Joint Injuries

Injury is an inevitable part of your life – from sprained ankles while playing sports to strained muscles during rigorous workout sessions to joint injuries from accidents or daily activities. Dealing with these common injuries often involves a relatively simple yet essential healthcare product that everyone should have in their home – the cotton crepe bandage. This article delves deep into the role of cotton bandages in managing sprains, strains, and joint injuries. So, let’s take a sneak peek –

How does it feel when you have Strains, Sprains, and Joint Injuries?

• A sprain here refers to the stretching or tearing of ligaments, the rugged bands of fibrous tissues that connect bones in your joints.
• Conversely, strain involves injury to a muscle or a tendon, which connects muscles to bones.
• Joint injuries generally include mild sprains or strains to severe injuries like dislocations or fractures.

Symptoms of these injuries will include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited ability to move the affected joint or muscles. In severe cases, one might also experience a “pop-like” sensation during injury or instability when using the affected areas.

Role of Cotton Crepe Bandages –

Crepe bandage plays a vital role in the initial management of these injuries, often considered by the acronym R.I.C.E. which means Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.

Compression –

Compression restricts swelling and supports the injured area where bandages appear. Applying pressure to the injury will help control inflammation and support the wounded structure, alleviating pain and preventing further damage.

Stabilization –

Crepe bandages also help stabilize the injured area, especially in case of sprains. The application supports the affected joint and prevents it from moving in ways that might cause more damage.

Healing –

Properly using a cotton crepe bandage can speed up the healing process. Reducing swelling and providing support aids in faster recovery of damaged tissues.

How to use Cotton Crepe Bandage?

Knowing the right way to use a cotton crepe bandage can significantly improve the management of injuries. Follow these basic instructions to bandage yourself after an injury.

Essentials, you will need:

• A gauze dressing
• A roller bandage
• A safety pin or binding clips

Steps to follow:

1. If you have a hand-wound or a burn, first bathe the damaged area and apply a sterile gauze dressing before wrapping your hand in a bandage.
2. Start wrapping the affected area with the end of the roller bandage at the inside of your wrist and work your way up.
3. Wrap the wrap over your wrist twice. The wrist should be flat against the material.
4. Pull the bandage diagonally across the top of your hand from the inside of your wrist. The roll should now be right next to your pinky finger.
5. Wrap the bandage around your pinky finger and under your fingers until it reaches your pointer finger. Then, wrap it around your pointer finger and draw it down diagonally across the top of your hand to the outside of your wrist.
6. Wrap the bandage over your wrist once more. It should be on your wrist, where you started wrapping.
7. Repeat steps 4 – 6 to form a figure eight-like bandage around the hand and fingers. It would help to leave a half-inch of the preceding layer visible between each successive figure eight. The tip of the fingers should be visible.
8. Once you’ve wrapped the bandage around your entire hand, fasten it with a safety pin or clip.

Precautions –

When bandaging your hand, take the necessary precautions to ensure a smooth and swift healing. These are mentioned below –

• Avoid pulling the bandage too tight. If you make the application too fast, it will cut off circulation in your hand. Squeeze one of your fingernails and count to five to see whether it’s too close. Within two seconds, the colour should return to your fingernail. If not, you should loosen it.
• Wrap around the injured area. Wrapping the injured area helps to ensure that pressure is administered evenly.
• Use a fresh (sterile) gauze dressing or roller bandage. Infection can occur when a gauze dressing or roller bandage is reused.
• Infected wounds should not be bandaged. You may develop an infection if the wounded location is red, hot, swollen, or sensitive. Infection symptoms include yellow or greenish pus, fevers, and chills.

Conclusion –

Whether you’ve damaged your hand or a severe hand injury, a cotton crepe bandage may aid in the healing process. Even with minor damage, a dressing can provide stability, reduce infection risk, and speed up healing. FIXAID is the best cotton crepe bandage with superior quality that helps recover the injury. Remember, the quality of the bandage matters when it comes to assisting your recovery journey.