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Chat => General Discussion => Topic started by: *she-devil* on August 15, 2007, 13:29:20 PM

Title: Plasters
Post by: *she-devil* on August 15, 2007, 13:29:20 PM
I know this is really random, but has anyone tried those plasters with the silver in them?

I know theyre supposed to make your skin heal quicker but does it work?
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: Pete on August 15, 2007, 13:39:43 PM
Internet says the silver is toxic to bacteria, but theres not enough in a plaster to kill you too.

I dunno, someone needs to go stab each of their bum cheeks and do a side-by-side comparison really.

Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: SteveF on August 15, 2007, 16:41:20 PM
Well, yes they do work.

Not used them myself but silver ions (not silver itself) will attack bacteria on contact (they work as an antiseptic).  Not sure itll make your skin heal faster but it will limit infections.

Theyve been using silver ions on burn victim bandages for a very liong time for this reason.

On a small cut or one where you regularly replace the band aid then a normal elastoplast would be fine.  they have chemical antiseptics in them anyway that do the job.  the silvers just handy because it gradually trickles out of the bandage after the chemical antiseptic has worn off.
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: funkychicken9000 on August 15, 2007, 20:04:28 PM
So the theory is sound, but is there enough in your £3 box of elastoplast to make a difference?
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: Dave on August 15, 2007, 22:41:45 PM
you can also get silver lined boxer shorts so you can say go trecking for a few weeks and not need to change your undies  :mrgreen:
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: knighty on August 15, 2007, 23:29:31 PM
Quote from: Dave
you can also get silver lined boxer shorts so you can say go trecking for a few weeks and not need to change your undies  :mrgreen:


wow, I need some of those !


on a side note.... if you cut yourself you should just let it beeld for a while, the blood washes out all the bacteria etc... :-)

(thats what a doctor told me anyway)
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: *she-devil* on August 17, 2007, 12:54:26 PM
Quote from: knighty
Quote from: Dave
you can also get silver lined boxer shorts so you can say go trecking for a few weeks and not need to change your undies  :mrgreen:


wow, I need some of those !


on a side note.... if you cut yourself you should just let it beeld for a while, the blood washes out all the bacteria etc... :-)

(thats what a doctor told me anyway)


Yep. thats a good idea if it isnt on your heel where your shoes keep rubbing you! Eeeeek!
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: Binary Shadow on August 17, 2007, 13:24:13 PM
Quote from: knighty
on a side note.... if you cut yourself you should just let it beeld for a while, the blood washes out all the bacteria etc... :-)

(thats what a doctor told me anyway)

would it not be better to just wash the wound? how would you know if its bled enough?  :lol:
Title: Plasters
Post by: Sam on August 17, 2007, 14:01:41 PM
cant see it making much difference on a small plaster.
Title: Plasters
Post by: SteveF on August 17, 2007, 14:10:58 PM
Quote from: Sam
cant see it making much difference on a small plaster.

exactly - and who keeps an elastoplast on long enough that the chemical antiseptic runs out anyway.  I always used to have to have a peak under to check my life threatening wound :)

Then again - I normally dont bother with elastoplasts.  If its a big cut I just stick superglue on - anything else I just leave to sort itself out

Great idea for serious injuries.  Elastoplasts you put on a blister?  Overkill methinks
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: Quixoticish on August 17, 2007, 14:49:35 PM
Quote
Then again - I normally dont bother with elastoplasts. If its a big cut I just stick superglue on - anything else I just leave to sort itself out


Id be careful applying super glue to wounds (especially large ones), the glue that is approved for medical use is slightly different than your standard hardware store grade super glue and can end up causing some fairly nasty skin burns if used over a big enough area.
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: SteveF on August 17, 2007, 17:26:03 PM
yeah I know its not that wise...  its mainly just I slice myself on sharp metal now and again.  Im not thinking of major cuts or missing limbs but its quite handy to hold the skin together for any deep but not life threatening cuts.

Working in labs theres always some glue handy but you can never find tissues since they give off too much dust.
Title: Plasters
Post by: Serious on August 17, 2007, 22:57:01 PM
Quote from: SteveF
Quote from: Sam
cant see it making much difference on a small plaster.

exactly - and who keeps an elastoplast on long enough that the chemical antiseptic runs out anyway.  I always used to have to have a peak under to check my life threatening wound :)

Then again - I normally dont bother with elastoplasts.  If its a big cut I just stick superglue on - anything else I just leave to sort itself out

Great idea for serious injuries.  Elastoplasts you put on a blister?  Overkill methinks


Agreed, I dont usually bother with plasters at all unless I am doing work. Then it is only to keep it clean. Usually my cuts stop bleeding in a few seconds and thats with me taking aspirin.
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: mr_roll on August 18, 2007, 12:20:39 PM
Silver in plasters? how on earth can a metal give more healing powers?!
Title: Re:Plasters
Post by: Serious on August 20, 2007, 00:09:47 AM
Quote from: Binary Shadow
Quote from: knighty
on a side note.... if you cut yourself you should just let it beeld for a while, the blood washes out all the bacteria etc... :-)

(thats what a doctor told me anyway)

would it not be better to just wash the wound? how would you know if its bled enough?  :lol:


Not if all you have is dirty water - clean tap water or sterile saline would both be OK in the UK but you may not be able to trust the water abroad. If it isnt bleeding too much then you can let it go for a few minutes without any significant blood loss.

Quote from: mr_roll
Silver in plasters? how on earth can a metal give more healing powers?!


Have a look on yahoo or Google, though they are not entirely sure why it works.