How to Remove Sticky Gauze From the Skin

Remove sticky gauze from your skin when a wound heals.

When you have an open wound, you should bandage it with gauze and tape to protect it from further injury and bacteria. Medical grade adhesive and gauze do their job and keep the bandage on, but when you need to change the bandage or remove it to give the area some air, you need to lift the bandage away from the skin. You may also have to remove excess adhesive from the bandage site.

Things You'll Need

• Mild antibacterial soap
• Baby oil
• Cotton ball
• Salt

Instructions

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild antibacterial soap to prevent infecting the area if the wound is still open.

2. Dip a cotton ball in baby oil and rub it around the area to weaken the adhesive and make it easier to remove the bandage.

3. Pull the bandage away from your skin from one side. Continue to peel the bandage back away from the skin until you remove it completely.

4. Mix a teaspoon of salt in with a gallon of warm water and apply to the adhesive on your skin generously, allowing it to soak into the adhesive. Rub the area with a wet washcloth until the adhesive is completely removed from your skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Even though the bandage is gone, you should still keep the wound site clean and wash it daily with antibacterial soap.

References

• U.S. National Library of Medicine; Surgical Wound Care - Open