Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

The invention provides an adhesive support article for supporting a body part of a user. A single-sided stretchable adhesive tape blank is precut into a sheet having a central anchoring portion and a plurality of outwardly extending fingers. The sheet is marked with visual indicators to guide the user of the support article for applying the central anchoring portion onto a first exterior surface of the body part and for stretching the fingers before adhering them at a predetermined distance away from the central anchoring portion. The adhesive support article can also be provided in a support system with at least one corresponding body landmark article, providing further guidance for applying the support article to the desired body part.

Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

A unique multi-functional emergency bandage stops bleeding by: (1) optimizing mechanical properties and preventing ischemia and/or necrosis while applying enough pressure to help stop bleeding, and (2) incorporating inorganic anti-bleeding nano-structures (embedded within a gauze and/or microbial cellulose) with almost infinite life-time. Additionally, pathogen passage through the bandage is prohibited (via an intermediate filter layer). Together with the overall anti-microbial character of the bandage, the unique multi-functional bandage offers all these vital features within a single design. The unique bandage can be applied by using a single hand and bandaging direction can be changed using a unique binding apparatus. Visual aids, such as printed rectangles, on the final fabric provides the user with an indication of how to control the amount of stretch, as vertical rectangles would turn into horizontal rectangles when stretched too much, whereas rectangles turn to squares around the optimum region of the stress-strain curve.

The invention relates to a bandage for use on the human or animal body, the bandage comprising a fiber-containing material. At least one longitudinal end of said material is provided with a neatened edge and additionally has a zone that contains an information element. The invention further relates to a method for producing a bandage of the above type.