Tape

Keeping a wound dressing in place starts with the right tape. We carry transparent and non-woven adhesive tapes that hold firmly while staying gentle on skin. Transparent tape lets you check the dressing site without removing it, while non-woven options work well for sensitive skin. Good for wound care at home or in a care facility.

Shop medical tape

Paper, silk, cloth, plastic, and which one belongs on which skin

Paper tape is the lowest-trauma option. The adhesive lifts off without taking the top layer of skin with it, which makes it the default for elderly residents, residents on long-term steroids, and anyone whose skin tears at the slightest pull. The trade-off is hold. Paper tape doesn't grip as hard as the other options, so it works best for short-term dressing security on a low-mobility resident, not for orthopedic strapping or athletic taping.

Silk tape sits in the middle. Stronger hold than paper, gentler than cloth, and easier to tear by hand. Silk is the right call for residents with average skin who need a dressing held in place against more movement. Cloth tape is the high-hold option used for orthopedic strapping, casting, and securing tubing under tension. Plastic tape is waterproof and the right choice when a dressing has to survive a shower or perspiration. The mistake most facilities make is stocking only one tape and using it for everything. Two or three SKUs cover almost every clinical scenario without overspending on the wrong tape for the job.

Medical tape does more than hold a dressing in place. The right tape protects skin, stays secure through movement, and comes off without causing damage. Choosing well matters, especially for patients with fragile or aging skin.

For everyday wound care, non-woven tapes are a solid starting point. They conform to the body, breathe well, and peel away gently. Transparent tapes give you the added benefit of monitoring a wound site without disturbing the dressing. If you're taping over joints or areas that move a lot, a self-adherent wrap like coban tape sticks to itself without adhesive touching the skin, which is helpful for patients prone to irritation.

Silk tape is another option worth knowing about. It tears easily by hand, sticks reliably, and works well for securing IV lines, tubing, or lighter dressings. For broader coverage, a wide fixation tape like hypafix tape or mefix tape is often used to hold larger wound dressings or post-surgical bandages flat against the body. These tapes distribute pressure evenly and stay put without pulling at the edges.

When you're stocking tape for a facility, variety matters. Nursing homes and hospice programs go through tape quickly, and having the right type for each situation reduces skin injuries and waste. We recommend keeping a mix of non-woven, transparent, and fixation tapes on hand to cover daily wound care, catheter securement, and general dressing needs.

If you run a hospice, nursing home, or long-term care facility and need supplies in bulk, sign up for a business account here or email us at info@keraemedical.com. Our team is happy to help.