How to Remove a Band Aid

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Ouch! Removing a band-aid can hurt. Each person experiences pain differently and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. How much hair is in the area, type of band-aid, how long it’s been on your skin, and how healed your wound is can all affect how it feels to pull it off. All of these methods can be achieved with common household items and a little bit of patience.

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Peeling It Off Slowly

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection. [1]
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
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  3. It’s important to move slowly here and are not too ambitious about how much you peel up. The less you peel, the less it will hurt. [2]
    • If the band-aid is in a hairy part of your body, ripping it off slowly may be more comfortable.
    • It can help to get a fingernail up under the edge of the band-aid to tease the adhesive away from the skin.
  4. This part can feel like it’s taking forever, but in order to reduce discomfort, you need to work slowly.
    • Take breaks for as long as you need to in between tugs. This gives your pain reflex a chance to calm down.
    • This process takes extra patience, but you are getting there, slowly but surely.
    • How many times you repeat these steps depends on how big the band-aid is, and how much you are able to peel back each time.
    • Take your time, breathe, and stay relaxed as you work the band-aid off.
    • Remember, if you get bored, though, you can always switch to the quick rip method.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Peeling It Off Parallel to Your Skin

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection.
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
  3. You’ll need a firm grip to keep consistent tension and angle for this method.
    • This method may work especially well for waterproof band-aids.
  4. Pulling parallel to your skin encourages the adhesive to release rather than stick to your skin. [3]
    • It is normal for the band-aid to stretch slightly with this method.
    • This can be an awkward movement, but when you get the hang of it, you’ll feel the adhesive release from your skin.
  5. Consistent tension keeps the band-aid from sagging and re-sticking to your skin.
    • For the final bit, you may have to pull up more vigorously and finish with a quick jerk up and away from your skin.
    • It will help if you have “follow-through” with your movement so you don’t get stuck at the very end.
    • Keep this movement as steady and smooth as you can so you don’t prolong any discomfort.
    • Alternatively, you can peel the band-aid off diagonally across the wound. Some people find they are better at controlling the band-aid with this method.
    • The tingling feeling you have on your skin where the band-aid was should subside shortly.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Dissolving the Adhesive

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection. [4]
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
  3. This is the most efficient way to get the most oil onto the adhesive part of the band-aid.
    • This will take 1-2 minutes depending on how big your cotton ball is.
    • Be sure to protect your clothing and other items around you from accidental drips.
    • Alternatively, you can also use baby oil instead of olive oil.
    • Another option is to use a mixture of lotion and baby oil applied with a cotton swab to achieve similar results
    • If you don’t have either of these oils on hand, you can also soak the band-aid and surrounding area in a bowl of clean, warm water until the adhesive dissolves. This option may work better for fabric types of band-aids.
  4. The oil will help to dissolve the part of the band-aid that sticks to your skin so it can slip off with minimal effort. [5]
    • How long this takes depends on the size, location, and strength of the adhesive on the band-aid.
    • Keep the oil from getting on the cotton underside of the band-aid so it doesn’t irritate your wound.
  5. This should require little effort and no pain. If it's still sticking, try leaving the oil on for a little longer.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Melting the Adhesive

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection. [6]
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
  3. Warm air softens the sticky part of the band-aid and makes it easier to remove.
    • Using the warm setting will lower the risk of you burning yourself.
  4. This helps you achieve an even release of the adhesive and minimizes discomfort from the heat on your skin. [7]
  5. How long this process takes depends on the size and strength of the adhesive area.
    • It’s easiest to slide a fingernail underneath an edge and gently pry it up.
    • If it's not ready to peel off, apply more warm heat with the blow-dryer.
    • Areas with more hair may take less time than band-aids stuck to smooth skin.
  6. You should feel minimal resistance from the band-aid. If it’s not ready yet, be patient and keep working at it with the heat.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Freezing the Adhesive

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection.
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
  3. Choose something not too thick that it blocks the cold of the ice.
    • Don’t use a gel pack because it won’t get the adhesive cold enough.
  4. Ice can make the adhesive brittle so it pulls off your skin easily.
    • The time it takes here depends on how strong the adhesive is, and the overall size of your band-aid.
  5. If the band-aid doesn’t release easily, continue icing it. Repeat this until the band-aid is able to come off entirely.
    • It’s easiest to slide a fingernail underneath an edge and gently prying it up.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Ripping It Off Quickly

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  1. You should have clean hands whenever you are touching the area around your band-aid to prevent the spread of bacteria and possible infection.
    • Use clean water from a tap to wet your hands. Warm or cold is fine.
    • Turn off the tap and apply soap to your hands.
    • Rub your hands together to create a lather with the soap making sure to coat the back of your hands, between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
    • Continue scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds. This is about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice in a row from beginning to end.
    • Rinse the soap off of your hands with clean water from the tap.
    • Dry your hands with a clean cloth towel, paper towel, or you can air dry them.
    • As an alternative to washing your hands, you can use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Like washing your hands, cleaning the area around your band-aid can help prevent infection or the spread of bacteria during removal.
    • Fill a clean bowl with clean tap water and mild liquid soap. Warm or cold water is fine, although warm (not hot) water may feel more comforting.
    • Soak a clean washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out to remove excess moisture.
    • Gently wash the skin around and on top of the band-aid with the washcloth. Avoid putting direct pressure on top of the band-aid as you do this. Instead, give it a quick wipe with the cloth.
    • Gently pat the area dry with a clean, dry washcloth.
  3. Making this tab will help you keep control over the band-aid as you pull it off.
  4. Paying attention to your breath will signal your body to let go of stress and helps you get ready to pull off the band-aid. [8]
  5. Contrary to what many think, ripping the band-aid off quickly can be less painful for some. However, it could damage your skin, so use caution if you choose to rip off the bandage. [9]
    • Exhaling while you pull the band-aid off can trigger your body to relax rather than tense up. Likewise, the faster you pull, the faster your discomfort will be over.
    • If the skin is really irritated, apply a chunk of ice or a cold compress to the area to help soothe the skin.
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      Warnings

      • For any of the heat methods, make sure to use warm temperatures rather than hot.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Be extra careful if the adhesive is touching your wound. You don't want to re-open it or cause yourself more injury.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      • When using oils and lotions, be sure to protect your clothing and any furniture you are near.
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        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
      2. ↑ https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2009/191/11/fast-versus-slow-bandaid-removal-randomised-trial
      3. ↑ https://www.independentnurse.co.uk/clinical-article/managing-pain-during-the-removal-of-wound-dressings/63599/
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
      5. ↑ https://www.myamericannurse.com/adhesive-removal/
      6. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hand-washing.html
      7. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-09-re-51847-story.html
      8. ↑ https://news.umich.edu/mindful-breathing-for-pain-control-like-yin-and-yang/
      9. ↑ https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2009/191/11/fast-versus-slow-bandaid-removal-randomised-trial#4

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        May 17, 2017

        "Applying water to the Band Aid helped, but I think it's infected because it's gooey."
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