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It sounds like you may have a latex allergy

my co-op sells a latex-free band-aids that I really like. They're called "EcoGuard" and are made by a company called All-Terrain. The box has 25 bandages in two sizes. They also aren't tested on animals.

I have the same problem and I do not have a latex allergy (I wear latex gloves every day)

It's probably the glue that is in contact with your skin, either the glue itself or the inability of your skin to "breathe". Go old school and wrap the affected area in cotton gauze. Secure it with gauze tape. This type of bandaging will be bulky because it has to go all the way around the finger or arm or whatever, so that the tape doesn't actually touch the skin.

I was having a reaction whenever I wore bandaids as well, and thought I had a latex allergy. Turns out -- I'm actually allergic to Neosporin and Polysporin, which I usually applied before putting the bandaid on!

I'm sensitive to adhesive as well. While they are not eco-friendly, I have found that Band-Aid Activ-Flex bandages work well and do not irritate my skin. It might be that these seal well to the skin and don't need to be replaced that often (they are waterproof) so there isn't the added irritation of removing the bandage and putting new adhesive on with a new one. For minor cuts, you could also consider a liquid bandage (like New Skin)--also not eco-friendly but less irritation.

I second the gauze/ gauze tape recommendation. Drug stores sell gauze squares which you can cut into quarters and then use with gauze tape more like a band-aid.

Oooo my question was posted. Thanks for the suggestions and input. I don't have a latex allergy... I work in a hospital and have regular if not constant exposure to it. I've had similar reactions to medical adhesive tapes too. I might have to try New Skin or just old school it. I'm just tired of buying boxes of bandaids and tape to find out that my skin dislikes it. Not eco- or wallet-friendly. Any other ideas are welcome!

I am also ginger with fair/ fussy skin. When I use any sort of adhesive on my skin (bandages or tape), I also experience considerable irritation (obvious upon removal). Although some might criticize for sundry reasons, I have found that sparingly applying isopropyl alcohol to the bandage (to help loosen the adhesive component) prior to removal reduces the derm reaction. Of course, I also wash/ rinse the area soon afterwards, so that the alcohol does not cause its own irritation. Finally, I am not such a fan of New Skin as I get similar skin reaction. Buena suerte.

Yeah. If you have super delicate skin, don't use new skin. New skin is like pouring hell's rubbing alcohol on on a lacerated soul. It stinks and stings and is super dificult to get off your skin. Most cuts don't need a bandage. Just wash and wrap some toiletpaper around it until the bleeding stops. If you're like me and push paper for a living and get papercuts on knuckles/ places where they CONSTANTLY re-open... use regular ol' tape if your skin can handle it. BTW, I have those Sanrio bandages and they suck.

The Leaves of the Lambs Ear plant are like a natural bandage.

@chusmabilly, that is one of the funniest (and most apt) descriptions of New Skin EVER. My sister brought some to the Renaissance Faire we worked at last year and everyone who used it squealed, squeezed their eyes shut and hopped around in agony immediately after application.

I've been told that super glue was originally designed for use as a "bandage" or as insta-stiches so maybe just use that? My goal is generally to keep the wound covered and prevent contamination more than preventing bleeding with band-aids though, so I'm not sure super glue would really serve well. Gauze would also work, but it is kind of a pain.

I use first aid tape instead of band-aids. It's breathable and sticks really well.

The brand is Nexcare First Aid, Gentle Paper Tape, by 3M. The hospital name is 3M Micropore Surgical Tape.

Good luck!

My daughter doesn't have a latex allergy but is also sensitive to the glue on band aids. He gauze her if she needs it.


LMAO about the New Skin. When I used to work as server another server came up to me with a cut on his hand. I put new skin on it and he screamed like a girl, the whole place turned to see what had happened.

I also have this problem - for my last c-section the doctor used medical grade "super glue" to close the incision. He had me test regular super glue at home to make sure there would be no reaction during the surgery. Luckily I didn't react and the glue he used worked perfectly for me.

I also use the stretchy stick-to-itself stuff and gauze if I need to cover something when I'm at home.