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What is Micropore Tape?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Micropore tape is a product that is used as a part of wound care, especially for wounds that have compromised delicate skin or sensitive skin. This kind of wound tape is often used when treating elderly patients who commonly have thin skin. The tape can be found in most drugstores and pharmacies, comes in various widths, and is usually available in white or tan. The material that is used to make this tape has pores that are 2 nanometers in diameter or, in some cases, even smaller. The pores in the tape make the product breathable, meaning that the skin that is underneath the tape has a better chance of healing than skin covered in non-breathable products.

One of the benefits of micropore tape is that because it is so gentle on the skin, it can be used when dressing wounds that need to be treated and dressed frequently. Surgical tapes or first aid tapes that are a bit more harsh on the skin can irritate the skin when they are applied and re-applied frequently over a course of days or weeks. It is important to keep the skin around a wounded area as healthy and protected as possible in order to promote healing. Also, if skin around a wound becomes irritated or broken, there is a risk of infection and further complications.

Micropore tape is breathable and appropriate for use on sensitive skin.
Micropore tape is breathable and appropriate for use on sensitive skin.

Some people who have especially sensitive skin keep micropore tape in their first aid kits at home. People with sensitive or delicate skin can use this tape for even minor wounds and wounds that do not need regular dressing changes. Sometimes, in the film and television industry, micropore tape is also used to affix microphones to the skin. This is especially common when the people who are being recorded have thin or sensitive skin. In these cases, the tape in tan color is often used so that it blends in with the skin.

Micropore tape may be used to hold sterile gauze pads in place over on open wound.
Micropore tape may be used to hold sterile gauze pads in place over on open wound.

The various thicknesses of micropore tape are used to treat various sizes of wounds. For example, a small cut, scrape, or incision might be dressed using tape that comes in a small width. When a large area of skin is being treated, on the other hand, thicker micropore tape may be needed in order to hold the dressings in place. In a pinch, however, almost any thickness will work to affix a wound dressing to the skin.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for TheHealthBoard, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for TheHealthBoard, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

Logicfest

@Terrificli -- Why wouldn't anyone use micropore tape? Two reasons -- cost and convenience. Micropore tape costs considerably more than conventional bandages on a unit-by-unit basis.

Also, I like those all-one-bandages. You know, the kind that have the tape and the bandage all in one bandage. Just peel and stick, right? You have to build a bandage with micropore tape and a cotton ball or gauze pad or something. I prefer the simple method and I know I am no alone.

Terrificli

If you have ever used micropore tape on a wound, you will love the heck out of it. Your typical bandage is painful when you rip it off, whereas the micropore stuff is not.

Honestly, I am not sure why anyone wouldn't use micropore tape instead of conventional bandages. That stuff is just great.

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    • Micropore tape is breathable and appropriate for use on sensitive skin.
      By: Shariff Che'Lah
      Micropore tape is breathable and appropriate for use on sensitive skin.
    • Micropore tape may be used to hold sterile gauze pads in place over on open wound.
      By: Sherry Yates
      Micropore tape may be used to hold sterile gauze pads in place over on open wound.
    • Minor injuries typically require only a small width of micropore tape.
      By: WideAwake
      Minor injuries typically require only a small width of micropore tape.
    • Micropore tape might be included as part of a first aid kit.
      By: hansgeel
      Micropore tape might be included as part of a first aid kit.
    • Elderly patients with thin skin are commonly treated with micropore tape.
      By: gwimages
      Elderly patients with thin skin are commonly treated with micropore tape.
    • People with sensitive skin can use micropore tape for wounds that don't require regular dressing changes.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      People with sensitive skin can use micropore tape for wounds that don't require regular dressing changes.
    • Most drug stores and pharmacies will carry micropore tape.
      By: stokkete
      Most drug stores and pharmacies will carry micropore tape.
    • The various thicknesses of micropore tape are used to treat various sizes of wounds.
      By: MarcoBagnoli Elflaco
      The various thicknesses of micropore tape are used to treat various sizes of wounds.
    • Stretch bandages may be wrapped over an area with micropore tape as an extra precaution against infection.
      By: imagedb.com
      Stretch bandages may be wrapped over an area with micropore tape as an extra precaution against infection.