A Short Guide to Medical Bandages and Their Types
If you open any first aid kit, you will find at least one type of bandage. But look closer, and you will realize that not all bandages are the same. Some stick to skin. Some wrap around limbs. Some are designed to stop bleeding, while others are meant to hold ice packs in place.
What Is a Medical Bandage?
A medical bandage is a piece of material used to hold a dressing in place, apply pressure to a wound, support an injured limb, or restrict movement. Unlike a dressing (which touches the wound directly), a bandage typically sits over a dressing.
Key functions of a bandage:
- Holds dressings in place so they do not slip or fall off
- Applies pressure to control bleeding
- Immobilizes a fractured or sprained limb
- Reduces swelling through compression
- Protects the wound from dirt and bacteria
Major Types of Medical Bandages
Here are the most common bandages you will encounter, from a home first aid kit to a hospital trauma bay.
- Roller Gauze (Gauze Bandage)
- Elastic Bandage (ACE Wrap)
- Triangular Bandage (Cravat)
- Cohesive Bandage (Self-Adhering Wrap)
- Compression Bandage (Short-Stretch Bandage)
- Plaster Bandage (Casting Bandage)
How to use
- Clean the wound thoroughly.
- Dry the skin around the wound.
- Apply a “butterfly” across the cut, perpendicular to the wound.
- Push the wound edges together gently as you stick the second side down.
- Apply 2-3 butterflies spaced along the cut.
For your home first aid kit, stock these four essentials:
- Roller gauze
- Elastic bandage
- Triangular bandage
- Cohesive bandage



