DIY Gauze Sponges: A Simple Guide for First Aid

Doctors and nurses use gauze sponges to clean and dress wounds, and to apply medicine. The soft sponges, made to be thicker than regular gauze, are commonly found in first aid kits and used at home to treat minor scrapes, burns and injuries. You can make your own gauze sponges with a few common medical supplies found in pharmacies and supermarkets.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze roll
• Scissors
• Medicine
• First aid tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Fold the end of a clean gauze roll in about 1/4 of an inch to conceal the frayed, cut end. Lint from the cut end can get into a wound, causing irritation.

• 2

  Fold the gauze roll in as far as the desired length of your gauze sponge.

• 3

  Continue folding the gauze until the sponge is the desired thickness. Cut the end with sharp, clean scissors and fold it under to conceal the cut end.

• 4

  Apply medication to the gauze sponge as recommended by your physician, and gently clean your wound with the medicated side of the gauze sponge. Pat the area dry with a clean piece of gauze or a second gauze sponge.

• 5

  Place a new gauze sponge over your wound and attach it with first aid tape to make a bandage.