I just picked up a .3fl.oz. bottle of new-skin liquid bandage the other day for my first aid kit, to replace band-aids which allow dirt, water, and grime to compromise their protection (except for maybe the expensive waterproof ones).

My questions are:

1. will new-skin liquid bandage repel dirt and grime? It is supposedly breathable which is fine, and I assume that water won't dissolve it quickly?

2. If new-skin liquid bandage doesn't repel dirt and grime, can it be used in conjunction with something like Leukotape P? I'm talking about my personal first aid kit for use during Boy Scout outings here, so I plan for things like younger scouts getting themselves cut up (small cuts & wounds) while playing around. But I'm also not expecting it to hold up against acetone or anything either.

3. Can I repackage the stuff without it drying out, say in a small U.S. Plastics Corp. flip cap bottle? In the glass bottle it comes in, it weighs 1.5oz, which is more than I hoped for. Do I really need the brush that comes attached to the inside of the cap to effectively use/spread it?

EDIT: What about super glue for small wounds as well as serious wounds (or is that playing doctor too much???)

Thanks for your thoughts!

Edited by edude on 07/04/2010 00:12:16 MDT.

My two cents:
1. will new-skin liquid bandage repel dirt and grime? YES It is supposedly breathable which is fine, and I assume that water won't dissolve it quickly? CORRECT

2. If new-skin liquid bandage doesn't repel dirt and grime, can it be used in conjunction with something like Leukotape P? I'm talking about my personal first aid kit for use during Boy Scout outings here, so I plan for things like younger scouts getting themselves cut up (small cuts & wounds) while playing around. But I'm also not expecting it to hold up against acetone or anything either. IT MAY STING A BIT ON CUTS

3. Can I repackage the stuff without it drying out, say in a small U.S. Plastics Corp. flip cap bottle? DOUBTFUL, THE SOLVENT WILL LIKELY EAT THROUGH PLASTIC BUT YOU COULD TRY. In the glass bottle it comes in, it weighs 1.5oz, which is more than I hoped for. Do I really need the brush that comes attached to the inside of the cap to effectively use/spread it? YES 1.5OZ. IS A LOT BUT IF YOU SUFFER BLISTERS IT COULD BE THE BEST 1.5 OZ. YOU EVER CARRIED. i LEAVE THE BRUSH, IT'S ONLY A COUPLE OF GRAMS.

EDIT: What about super glue for small wounds as well as serious wounds (or is that playing doctor too much???)

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I guess I will just man up and carry the darned 1.5oz :D

Two thoughts -
One New Skin should not be used on open wounds per their instructions. Speaking from experience, I have used New Skin on open blisters and it burns really bad. I can only imagine how it would feel on an open wound. So if you can't use it on a open wound, are you really sure it can replace your bandages?

Two, New Skin will seal in any dirt that you did not get out, leading to an increased chance of infection. Its much better to let the wound breath and be able to change the bandage for clean ones.

hmm some food for thought, thx

> replace band-aids which allow dirt, water, and grime to compromise their protection

Never had any problems there. The Band-Aids protect the open skin enough that the body can look after all the rest itself. And they breathe nicely.

Cheers

You might want to take a look at J$J Hydrocolloid Adhesive Pads, labelled "Compeed" on the pad itself, but not the packaging. Currently, the packaging is labelled, "Tough Pads," but was "Advanced healing adhesive pads," until recently. Expensive.

Have used these instead of band-aids for all sorts of wounds, and found them superior in every way. They come around 2 by 3", but can be cut to the shape you want. After cleaning and disinfecting the wound, you just peel off the covering front and back, and stick the flexible plastic over the wound, wrapping where possible.

The older product info from J&J stated that moisture would evaporate through this product, but the more recent info does not. In any case, I've found that surrounding skin does not die and whiten as with other water resistant products.

It worked great during many hikes over where the Podiatrist recently removed a tonail, even though the Dr. was against any type of band-aid or tape cover. All covering is off now, so it is a moot question.
Sam

"The Band-Aids protect the open skin enough that the body can look after all the rest itself. And they breathe nicely."

In my experience, band-aids fall off to fast, even when you clean and dry the area prior to application. And they cause the skin to get all "pruney" underneath, not exactly my idea of breath-ability. But to each his own, I'm glad they work for you, and just wish they did for me, because if they did, I wouldn't be looking at alternatives.

So if the liquid bandage will burn on deep wounds then I guess I won't be using it for that. I think sterile 2"x3" non-stick pads cut to the right size and taped up with Leukotape P, both of which are already in my new 1st aid kit, can function fine as "band-aids" when they are needed.