Fabric bandages are made with flexible stitched fabric and these types of bandages are used primarily in areas where there is a bending joint. If there is an injury to the elbow, knee, or fingertip, a conventional plastic bandage may not adhere or cover the wound due to movement. Wet conditions can also cause a plastic bandage to come undone. The fabric bandages are water resistant and they also stay in place even with movement. Loose stitching fabric also allows air to circulate around the wound for a faster healing time.
While typically used to cover minor cuts or abrasions, sometimes elastic fabric bandages can be used to cover a wound following a surgical procedure. They adhere to the wounded area and they are extremely soft, so they will not cause any added discomfort. Until the wound fully heals, the elastic bandage will hold firmly to the skin. This can be beneficial after cosmetic or plastic surgery. Fabric elastic bandages come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the wound and they can also offer protection from ultraviolet (UV) sunlight.
A fabric type of bandage has a stitched covering. Under this covering is an adhesive, which adheres to the skin. In the middle of the bandage, there is typically a loosely stitched gauze material. This material covers the wound and offers added protection until it fully heals. The gauze material is usually dry and sterile, but a few brands of bandages add an antibacterial ointment into the gauze for added protection against bacterial infections.
Some types of fabric bandages are not used to cover wounds but to offer support for sprained or aching joints and muscles. They are used to put pressure on these injured areas and to reduce the flow of blood. This can also help to reduce inflammation or swelling around the injured site. When a bone fracture occurs and a splint is applied to the area, fabric bandages are used to keep everything stable. Splints are typically used until the inflammation is gone, when they are replaced by a cast.
Veterinarians use these fabric bandages more often than plastic bandages because animals are very active and can easily remove a convention bandage. The same thing goes for pediatricians, who work with small children. Elastic bandages are also used for a cosmetic procedure called a body wrap, which helps to eliminate excess water from the body for added weight loss.