Certain supplies should be included in a first aid kit. Sterile eye dressings, rolled bandages, and gloves are the things you can find in a kit. What about the medical tape? You may not realize it, but this tool is useful to attend wounds, bruises, and injuries. When building your portable emergency kit for home or outdoor use, you must have the best medical tape. The best medical tape should meet a wider range of needs and protection. That’s why I’m going to present to you our seven best medical tapes.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape | This medical tape performs well for wound protection and irritation as it binds to the skin well. Its waterproof features stick even when it’s added to a warm or dirty surface. | ||
| Medline MedFix Retention Dressing Tapes | Medline Medfix Dressing Retention Tape is suitable for locking or retaining primary dressings, and tubings. It features a smooth, durable nonwoven fabric that is water-resistant and can easily cover wounds. | ||
| 3M Micropore Paper Tape | The 3M Micropore Surgical Paper Tape gives patients a safe alternative for high-performance taping. A small and comfortable white paper tape is for a patient with sensitive skin—ideal for frequent treatments on delicate, responsive skin and the elderly. | ||
| D&H Medical 6 Pack Microporous Medical Tape | This nonwoven medical tape holds the highest standards when it comes to flexibility, reliability, and consistency. Microporous medical tape can also be used in pre-hospital treatment to bandage cuts, protect sprains, and to step in for whatever condition is on hand. | ||
| White Athletic Sports Tape for Athlete 3 Pack | Check at the Hampton Adams White therapeutic athletic tape, if you’re trying to purchase in bulk and get reasonable prices. You will get three packs in the box, and they have 45 feet of tape in each package. You can use this tape to bind knees, arms, or other parts of the body that require extra protection to prevent injuries. | ||
| Mighty-X White Athletic Tape + PreWrap – 4 Pack | Mighty-X Athletic tape + PreWrap offers extra physical protection that helps keep hips, calves, and hands from being hurt. You can tear around the tape’s width and length quickly by hand, and no scissors are needed. It is great for recovery through physical therapy. | ||
| 3M Transpore Surgical Tape, 1″ x 10 yds, Case of 12 Rolls | The 3M Transpore Surgical Tape is a clear, latex-free, hypoallergenic tape with effective adhesion. This tape is easy to cut into thin sheets, and you can use it with gloves. It enables simulation of the skin that needs to apply for safe tubing and dressings. |
How to Choose the Best Medical Tape
Deciding the best medical tape may include considerations such as the form of usage, allergy, and injuries you must attend to. Different types of medical tapes differ in content, resources, and use. Among the following that you should pick are:
Hypoallergenic tapes
Hypoallergenic tapes are ideal for people with delicate skin. Choose from hypoallergenic silk fabric, clear acrylic tapes, flexible fabric tape, paper tape, sticky tape, rubber tape, and waterproof tape. These goods placed the consumer at the least risk of an allergic reaction.
Cloth tapes
Cloth tapes have a cotton backrest and provide soft support on the injury. They are usually used to protect breathing tubes and injectable tubes, and can also be used for marking items.
Waterproof tapes
This form of tape can be single or double-sided tapes and is water-resistant. Using a protective tape from penetration of water through the bandage and into the cut must take into account. It also stops the fluid from the wound from escaping through the veil or dressing.
Surgical tapes
Surgical tapes offer excellent adhesion and for restraint procedures, as well as hard-to-reach dressing areas. They come in cotton, elastic, and foam. Surgical bands are ideal for holding dressings, IV tubing, and catheters.
Dressing retention tapes
Dressing retaining tapes keep primary dressings, such as gauze and padding, in place. For a simple application, retaining tape should be breathable and fully compliant.
Sports tapes
Sports tapes come with high tensile strength and excellent adhesion. Good tape that leaves minimum stain is the factor that set to use a sports tape. Plus, multi-purpose sports bandages are easy to remove.
Detailed Reviews on the Top 7 Best Medical Tape For First Aid Use
Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape, Hypoallergenic, 1 Inch x 5 Yard Roll, 6 Rolls
This medical tape performs well for wound protection and irritation as it binds to the skin well. Its waterproof features stick even when it’s added to a warm or dirty surface.
Product Highlights
You can place Nexcare waterproof medical tape on all the hard-to-reach areas, like between my fingers and feet. This tape is as comfortable as a second skin as it adheres to and flexes with the body’s motions. Nexcare tape wound adhere if soaked in water, but it will restore its adhesion when it dries out. Additionally, there is no adhesive substance left behind on the skin after cleaning it.
The Good
One thing we like very much about Nexcare tape is you should have no problem pulling it off. You can use this tape to lock down gauze in place for wounds or burns. It also prevents chafing or blistering on the palms, feet, or buttocks inside. You can also use Nexcare medical tape to cover bruises or fractures to keep them in position.
The Bad
One thing we don’t like about the 3M Nexcare tapes is it’s expensive compared to other medical tapes on this list. Some reports say that Nexcare rolls are half the length of the Transpore rolls, and with the other medical tapes. Keep in mind that Nexcare tapes don’t cut through horizontally, even using a scissor to pull it off.
PROs
- Strong adhesion even during water activities
- Provides cushioned protection
- Prevent blisters and cuts
- Secures gauzes and dressings
- Breathable and stretches with your body’s motions
CONs
- It may stick to hair or cloth
- This tape may not secure splints
- Overbearing adhesion strength
Medline MedFix Retention Dressing Tapes
Medline Medfix Dressing Retention Tape is suitable for locking or retaining primary dressings, and tubings. It features a smooth, durable nonwoven fabric that is water-resistant and can easily cover wounds.
Product Highlights
Medline MedFix dressing tapes are an adhesive tape with low strength. Soft and lightweight, nonwoven fabric is suitable for pads or dressings to be covered. The porous material is water-resistant but provides protection. With one procedure, you can easily place it for covering wounds. Through adjustments in dressings, the low-sensitivity tape is easy on patients.
The Good
The tape is lightweight and includes a written S-curve release cover. It allows personalized positioning to provide the most effective protection of the tape. This tape is useful to protect gastrostomy and other feeding tubes. An added advantage of this tool is it ensures the tape is subjected to stay in a tiny volume of water, such as washing the face, and dressings.
The Bad
The adhesion spreads in every portion of the body that may constrict your body in any way. Some customers say you can’t wear it during radiotherapy or x-ray tests. There could be some discomfort once you detach the tape off your skin.
PROs
- Water resistant
- Soft and flexible non woven fabric
- It features an S-curve release liner to easy removable
- Low-strength adhesion
CONs
- Limited application
- It feels like paper
3M Micropore Paper Tape – White, 1″ x 10yds (Box of 12)
The 3M Micropore Surgical Paper Tape gives patients a safe alternative for high-performance taping. A small and comfortable white paper tape is for a patient with sensitive skin, ideal for frequent treatments on delicate, responsive skin and the elderly.
Product Highlights
3M Micropore Paper Tape is suitable for general tapings such as wounds, bruises, and cuts. It contains a nonwoven rayon adhesive that is pressure sensitive to hold well and positions safely on wet skin. This hypoallergenic adhesive is friendly against delicate and responsive bodies. It also allows moisture to exit without reducing adhesion, thus promoting fast recovery. Micropore adhesive tape is firm adherent and leaves small residue when extracted.
The Good
Micropore paper tape does not cling deeply on the skin, and it’s not going to tear hair off or leave sticky stains. It comes with little or no discomfort, so you can quickly remove it regularly. This surgical tape charges many times less than the other medical tapes on this list. It binds straight to the surface, which will remain on for a few days.
The Bad
What isn’t great about 3M Micropore tape is it can stand humidity but not waterproof. It also doesn’t stick well on unusual body parts such as in between fingers and toes.
PROs
- Gentle on the skin
- Single-use roll
- It’s latex-free
- It is affordable
CONs
- It doesn’t stay well against heavy exercise
- It does not conform to small parts of the body
- It’s not stretchable
D&H Medical 6 Pack Microporous Medical Tape Adhesive Bandage
This nonwoven medical tape holds the highest standards when it comes to flexibility, reliability, and consistency. Microporous medical tape can also be used in pre-hospital treatment to bandage cuts, protect sprains, and to step in for whatever condition is on hand.
Product Highlights
The medical tape comes with 10-yard length per piece, and you can use lots of extra gauzes as you like. It’s a perfect solid tape that’s simple to remove and no need for scissors to peel it off. You can use it either in the hospital or at home to cover wounds or cuts and prevent infections. Microporous tape facilitates faster recovery for long-term wound treatment.
The Good
You will immediately tell the difference with this high-quality tape. You can use this tape to seal open wounds to ensure security and comfort. For optimum comfort and protection, this micro-fiber weave provides a healing factor. It also offers a reasonable length so that you can cover and pick the best pressure to assist your injury or wound.
The Bad
While this medical tape may manage sure moisture, it is far from waterproof. When skin lightens and tightens around the wound, it often has a rough time removing the tape. Sometimes the outlines of fabric tape knot up and render difficulty to rip it off. In that case, you must slice it in another location.
PROs
- Hygienic and skin-friendly
- It comes in 6 Pack
- The tape offers a strong bond
CONs
- It’s not easy to take off
- You might have a hard time covering joints like knuckles
White Athletic Sports Tape for Athlete & Medical Trainers 3 Pack
Check at the Hampton Adams White therapeutic athletic tape, if you’re trying to purchase in bulk and get reasonable prices. You will get three packs in the box, and they have 45 feet of tape in each package. You can use this tape to bind knees, arms, or other parts of the body that require extra protection to prevent injuries.
Product Highlights
You can rip off the roll of athletic tape without requiring scissors, allowing it a perfect sports tape. You can use this athletic tape on tools such as lacrosse or football sticks or baseball bats. It is 100 percent non-elastic cotton athletic tape that offers sufficient protection when correctly applied. You can easily remove the tape, and it won’t leave any sticky mess during removal.
The Good
The tape is cotton, smooth, and convenient as it offers optimum support. White Athletic sports tape is chemical-free, latex-free, and comes with zinc oxide to prevent rashes and chapped skin. This tape comes with a new collection of wraps for completely covered workouts if you’re a powerlifter.
The Bad
The tape is not adequately elastic for grappling. It’s quite small, which quickly loses its form once you start heavy activities. It might slip off and lose adhesion.
PROs
- Suitable for ankles, feet and other athletic equipment such as rackets and bats
- It is made from 100% cotton and is zinc oxide-infused
- It is latex-free
- Its hypoallergenic
CONs
- You might have difficulty peeling off the tape
- It wasn’t useful for longer workouts
- Not waterproof
3M Transpore Surgical Tape, 1″ x 10 yds, Case of 12 Rolls
The 3M Transpore Surgical Tape is a clear, latex-free, hypoallergenic tape with effective adhesion. This tape is easy to cut into thin sheets, and you can use it with gloves. It enables simulation of the skin that needs to apply for safe tubing and dressings.
Product Highlights
Although it’s built primarily for medicinal reasons, you can use this tape for a variety of applications. You will have to apply this tape to the dry area, so it holds no issue through water and blood. Like other fabric films, you can rip off the 3M Transpore horizontally and vertically with your fingertips. This coated grid-like design with tiny holes gives it a special healing feature that allows body moisture flow over your skin.
The Good
The 3M Transpore Tape is a transparent surgical adhesive tape used to protect and wrap sterile gauze and bandages. The 3M Transpore adhesive is hypoallergenic and leaves no sticky gunk behind. This hypoallergenic tape is a perfect medical tape to have on board in the hospital and first aid kit. It is simple to use, and you carry in your bag.
The Bad
One of the drawbacks of 3M Transpore leaves a gritty coating in the skin until washed off. This tape also leaves a bit of a smell after removing it, according to online reports. After many days of taking a shower, the odor should leave your skin. Keep in mind that Transpore tape will tear some hair away or leave debris that can cause skin itchiness.
PROs
- Secures burns and cuts
- Prevents chafing and scarring from your feet
- It is hypoallergenic
CONs
- Daily bandage removable and changes are required
- Not great for individuals with sensitive skin
Conclusion
Not all medical tapes are created equal that’s why finding the best medical tape is essential. Determining the specific use and strength of the tape are critical factors when choosing the right medical tape. Arming your first aid kit with the most versatile medical tape allows you to provide quality protection and care. Remember to pick the one that should serve security and will last a long time. Get more tips on first aid kits.