Dressing awkward places: heels, armpits and between fingers
Curved, creased and constantly moving. Standard flat dressings need help in these spots.
Some areas defeat a flat rectangle of adhesive. A few technique changes make the difference.
Heels
Curved in two directions. Cut small notches into the adhesive border so it can splay and lie flat rather than tenting. Apply with the ankle at ninety degrees so it is not at full stretch when you stand.
Between fingers and toes
Skin here is constantly damp and in contact with itself. Use the smallest possible dressing, and place a thin gauze spacer between the digits so two skin surfaces are not pressed together.
Armpits and groin
High movement, high moisture, hair. Clip rather than shave, use a breathable backing, and expect to change more often. Secure with a tubular bandage if adhesive keeps failing.
Over a joint
Always apply with the joint mid-flexed. A dressing applied to a fully extended joint will be at maximum tension the moment it bends.
General principle
If the dressing is fighting the anatomy, change the dressing type, not the amount of tape.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
Shop the range
FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.