How to Make a Butterfly Bandage

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A butterfly bandage is handy item when a wound has smooth edges. It brings the edges of skin together and thus speeds up the healing.

Step 1: Cut piece of tape
Cut off a piece of tape that is about 1" in length.

Step 2: Fold tape in half
Fold the piece of tape in half so that the non-sticky sides are against one another.

Step 3: Cut triangular notch
Cut a small triangular notch on one side of the tape, beginning about a quarter of the way down from the folded edge and cut angling up toward—but not all the way to—the center of the folded edge.

Step 4: Repeat on other side
Repeat on the other side, cutting a triangular notch that matches the one you just cut.

Step 5: Unfold tape
Unfold the tape so the sticky side is facing up.

Tip
The tape should look like it has a bow-tie shape in the middle.

Step 6: Fold center flaps
Fold the center flaps across the middle of tape, sticky side in, so they overlap. This will prevent the adhesive from sitting directly on top of the wound.

Step 7: Apply bandage
Apply the bandage by sticking one end of the tape on one side of the wound, gently holding the edges of the wound together, pulling the tape across the wound, and sticking its other end in place.

Tip
The narrow middle of the tape should be positioned over the edges of the wound.

Step 8: Apply many bandages
If the wound is long, make and apply as many butterfly bandages as needed along its length.

Did You Know?
The wings of butterflies and moths are actually transparent.