where can you find steristrips?
 

I live in Belfast. I've been to three chemists and two other shops trying to find steri-strips, but I can't find them. Does anyone know where to get them, or something similar? By the time I find them, it will have been over 24 hours -- will the skin still close? The cut is still oozing (did it last night and should know better) and it just won't close together. Have been keeping a bandage on it but changing the gauze just reopens it again. Suggestions?

You should be able to get them from any chemist, you might have to ask at the counter as they are often kept behind there to prevent theft. You can also get them from your local walk in centre. If you have some medical tape, you might be as well making your own till you can get them.

How to make butterfly stitches


Butterfly bandages are best for closing a long cut.Use an adhesive strip (such as Band-Aid) to provide continuous pressure. Always put an adhesive strip across a cut rather than lengthwise. A butterfly bandage (made at home or purchased) can help hold cut skin edges together:
Using a clean scissors, cut a strip from a roll of 1-inch adhesive tape and fold it sticky side out. Cut notches into the tape as shown in illustration A above.
Unfold the tape; then fold the notched pieces together, sticky side in as in illustration B above. The center of the tape will not be sticky. Keep the part that will be over the cut clean.
Place one end of the tape on the skin. Then pull the other end to close the wound tightly as in illustration C above.
If the cut is long, use more than one bandage.
Apply a clean bandage at least once a day, or when the old bandage gets wet or dirty.

Thanks -- I considered making them myself and having the diagram is useful. Cheers.

I usually make them myself, it does the same job. Although i just cut the tape into thin strips rather than cutting notches into them, but i can see why that'd be more helpful.
take care of yourself x

The problem with cutting them into strips, means that there is often still a sticky bit on the wound edges, which can cause problems, especially when you take the strip off, it can aggravate the wound edges.

also when you can try and let the wound get some air it will heal much quicker than being covered with a bandage x