Boots Advanced First Aid Spray Plaster

I bought this as I thought it would be handy for when we are travelling as it would seal any minor wounds and the like and stop any infections. Obviously the wound would need cleaning prior to spraying this on but I thought it seemed a really novel idea and also I have problems with plasters peeling off and my daughter is allergic to some so I thought all bases would be covered with this stuff.

WHAT IS THIS?
I had never heard of this before but found it when browsing one day. It's basically a small aerosol cannister of liquid which you spray on your wound. The liquid then dries over the wound like an invisible plaster, creating a waterproof and infection proof seal.

This comes as a small 40ml sized pressurised canister so I packed it in the suitcase rather than in my hand luggage. It has a plastic lid and after you remove that there is a big button which you press hard to spray the stuff out of the nozzle . This is a Boots' own brand so has their logo and the name, 'Advanced First Aid' on the can. It also has instructions and hints as to how to use the product.

Boots claim this will give up to 50 applications but I would say that would depend on the size of the wounds being covered and how thick you spray it. According to the can the contents provide "instant protection for cuts and grazes" and forms a "transparent, breathable, flexible film that helps protect (the wound) from water dirt and germs".

MY EXPERIENCE
The first time I used this was on me and I had a blister on the side of my foot so I thought this would be a perfect solution. Normal plasters rub off and I thought this would seal and be like my own skin so i could wear the same shoes or others and the blister would be covered over.

They did say that a "slight stinging" on initial application is normal. 'Slight stinging', is the biggest understatement out, absolute agony I would say. It really stung and stung for quite a long time after I sprayed this one. However I coped with that and them after it had dried an hour or so later I gave it another quick squirt. The second squirt was painless, it only felt cold.

It looked as though I had a layer of very thin shiny cling film over the blister; it was really thin and almost undetectable. All good or so I thought, it can't be seen and the blister is covered and protected.

We went out again and I happily put on some other shoes so that it would not be rubbed in exactly the same place just in case. After about one hundred yards the blister started to hurt and I inspected it. The spray plaster had rubbed off exactly like thin skin would. It was totally useless. I might as well not have bothered as it had not stopped the blister area from rubbing and had not provided any protection at all.

The idea I think is for this to be used on places where the sort of rubbing like from a shoe would not be happening. It could for example be used on knees or other places where no rubbing might happen. It is not designed for use on anything deep so in fact is pretty useless as inventions go.

It is agonising as you spray it onto the wound and any child would hit the roof. You would only use it on them once as the second time they would run screaming from you as soon as you got it out of the drawer to use I can assure you.

The stinging you get from anti septic wipes and similar bears no comparison to the stinging sensation you get from this and it lasts until the spray is dry which takes quite some time. Seriously do not spray this on a child until you have tried it on an open wound yourself so that you know what pain you are inflicting.

When you spray this for best results hold the can about 10-15cm away from the skin and spray lightly and the spray is pretty strong so be prepared. It comes out looking like water but will dry like cling film so be aware where you are spraying it as you will get the layer wherever not just on you.

I used mine for a blister on the side of my foot and wore the shoes again the next day but I have to admit I didn't have socks on which might have helped. My foot where I applied the spray felt dry and strangely stiff to touch, it was certainly well protected from anything going in.

The spray coverage is designed to disappear over time and you can re-apply it as often as needed. I didn't re apply as I thought it was useless and doing nothing for my blister which actually healed itself a few days later when I wore different shoes.

They do give you some health and safety warnings and one is that it should NEVER be used on the face and also stop using it if you have any adverse reaction which is pretty well common sense but I suppose they have to cover themselves.
It is flammable so don't spray it near a naked flame or while smoking .They also advise not to inhale the spray although it has no smell who knows what is secreted in the spray .

I would NOT recommend this spray for anyone and certainly not for children unless you are feeling particularly cruel and nasty. I would use a real plaster as the effect is more cushioning for a blister and you can select non allergenic ones if you have an allergy. There is no pain from a real plaster and although you can see it I would far prefer the protection that a real plaster gives.

I am not sure how this spray copes with wounds that are bleeding as I didn't try it after the first failure and having seen my reaction to the spray my husband refused to use it on any wound of his.

The spray sits in our medical drawer and one day I will throw it out as I really cannot see any advantage to this stuff unless you want to inflict horrible agonising pain on yourself or others.

A total waste of money from my view point but if you are still tempted to buy then it can be purchased for £4.99 from Boots either online or in store.

Thanks for reading. This review may be posted on other sites under my same user name.
©Catsholiday