How to Apply Steri Strips

Steri-Strips are adhesive skin closures used to close shallow lacerations or surgical incisions 1. Steri-Strips can be used alone or with sutures and staples. These adhesives are hypoallergenic and there is less chance for infection and scarring than with staples and sutures. Treating lacerations with Steri-Strips is fast and convenient, but you should never treat a laceration that is deep, infected, has jagged edges or has dirt in it that will not come out. If you have any of these complications contact your doctor to be treated.

Clean and dry at least two inches of skin around the wound for good adhesion. Compound Benzoin Tincture may be applied to enhance adhesion.

How to Take Care of Steri Strips

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Open the package. Remove the Steri-Strip card and card end tab.

Grasp the end of a Steri-Strip and lift it upward from card.

How to Use a Tegaderm

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Use your fingers to push the wound edges together and place the Steri-Strip across the wound. Press firmly in place.

Add more Steri-Strips across the wound until the wound is closed. The strips should be placed approximately one-eighth of an inch apart.

Align additional strips parallel to the wound, approximately one-half of an inch from strip ends, to prevent premature lifting.

Tips

Skin should be free of oil and moisture to ensure good adhesion. Do not pull skin too tight when applying Steri-Strips. This can cause your skin to blister or loss of adhesion of the strips.

Warnings

Be careful when removing Steri-Strips. They may cause your skin to strip, or come off, when removed.