How to Get Medical Adhesive Tape Off

After a medical emergency, you may find yourself connected to equipment that requires the use of medical tape. Although it works very well at keeping leads and IVs in place, removing them when you are ready to go home can be a real pain -- pun intended! Knowing what to use to remove medical tape and its underlying sticky residue will keep you at ease when it comes time to take all of that leftover tape off.

Things You'll Need

• Lukewarm water
• Baby oil
• Medical adhesive remover

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Instructions

Removing Medical Tape

• 1

  Soaking the part of your body with the medical tape will gradually cause the adhesive to remove itself from your skin. Periodically check the tape by slightly pulling at it while it is soaking or under running water. Over time, the glue will loosen and the tape will come off painlessly.

• 2

  Rubbing the tape with baby oil (vegetable oil works as well) will cause the tape and its residue to softly loosen. Apply oil to a cotton ball or directly onto the tape and adhesive, rubbing it in until the tape and glue rubs right off. This is great if there isn't a source of water available for soaking.

• 3

  Using a medical adhesive remover will remove the tape and its glue due to the blend of solvents that it contains. The remover needs to saturate the tape and adhesive for around 10 to 15 minutes before being washed off with soap and water.