# Leave bandage on or take it off? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312 "2015-05-05T14:04:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/1 "2015-05-05T14:04:34Z")
I was working in the yard this weekend and smashed up my finger. It didn’t require going to the doctor, but I’m never quite sure how long to leave the band-aid with polysporin on versus taking if off. After a few days now it’s healed enough to where if I bump into something it no longer bleeds, but I know some people who will eave a band-aid on until it is completely healed. Does exposing a partially healed cut the air help it heal faster, or is it better to keep it protected? Or does it not really matter? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/2 "2015-05-05T14:40:01Z")
Once it has healed to the point where it (a) isn’t leaking, and (b) isn’t likely to get reinjured, I think it is recommended that you go bare. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/3 "2015-05-05T14:50:34Z")
The longer you keep it protected and guarded against infection, the faster it will heal. Leaving a bandage on does not impede healing, although the skin will stay more tender until it’s had a few days’ exposure. I tend to get a cut, take care of it for a day or so, then put up with a half-healed, slightly infected sore for too long. If nothing else, put the bandaid and neosporin on at night for a few days more after it’s “good enough.” When I remember to do that, I have no problems. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/4 "2015-05-05T14:50:44Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Once it has healed to the point where it (a) isn’t leaking, and (b) isn’t likely to get reinjured, I think it is recommended that you go bare. Or he could just remove the bandage? 🙂 Since it’s a minor wound, if the wound is no longer open and there’s no longer any danger from outside contamination, a bandage is no longer required. Unless you want to leave it on. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/5 "2015-05-05T15:39:56Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I was working in the yard this weekend and smashed up my finger. It didn’t require going to the doctor, but I’m never quite sure how long to leave the band-aid with polysporin on versus taking if off. According to my dermatologist, the standard practice is to use Vaseline and not any medicated creams. Vaseline acts as a physical barrier, keeps the skin moist and there is no over-medication of anti-bacterial medications that promote the growth of superbugs. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/6 "2015-05-05T15:51:52Z")
Medical advice is best suited to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/7 "2015-05-05T21:03:15Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Or he could just remove the bandage? 🙂 To aid the healing process, it’s recommended that one remove all constricting garments or materials. At least while working in the yard. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/8 "2015-05-06T15:10:13Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > To aid the healing process, it’s recommended that one remove all constricting garments or materials. At least while working in the yard. Unless rose bushes are present. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-bandage-on-or-take-it-off/719312/9 "2015-05-06T15:43:01Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > According to my dermatologist, the standard practice is to use Vaseline and not any medicated creams. Vaseline acts as a physical barrier, keeps the skin moist and there is no over-medication of anti-bacterial medications that promote the growth of superbugs. IANAD and I am aware of the issues around superbugs and MERSA and so forth, but I can’t really believe that topical use of the very mild antibiotics in OTC triple antibiotic are something to worry about. In some theoretical global population model, maybe. On a finger with a healing owie… sounds a bit on the panicky side.