Best plasters I have tried (Elastoplast Plasters Aqua Protect)

Member Name: slinkyindieninja

Product:	Elastoplast Plasters Aqua Protect
Date:	28/06/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, long-lasting, waterproof at first

Disadvantages: Not so waterproof after a few hours use

When I picked up these plasters it had been quite a while since I'd used any, probably a couple of years, so I was completely unaware of the latest advances in plaster technology, and was expecting them to be just as rubbish as every plaster I'd used before. I anticipated having to change plaster every couple of ours as they stopped sticking, and I expected them to be stiff as waterproof plasters always used to be, and uncomfortable.

I was looking for plasters for one of my big toes (won't go into any more detail to protect the squeamish) and was pleased to see that this pack featured two fairly large sizes - 12 (25 x 72 mm) and 8 (39 x 39 mm), and that I would not have to waste money on a variety pack including those ridiculous tiny plasters that fail to completely cover any wounds larger than a pinprick. Both of the sizes in this pack fit big toes really well, so no money was wasted.

I still expected the actual plasters to be disappointing, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they do the job fine. The plastic is soft but thick enough not to be torn by finger or toe nails, the stickiness is excellent - I could take the plaster off and move it when I put it on at a wrong angle by mistake - and they stay put for a whole day if you are wearing socks. Without socks they do come loose sooner, probably after about 12 hours though, which is pretty good as plasters go.

Each plaster is individually wrapped, and easy to open without tearing the plaster, unlike the Sainsbury's own brand plasters which I have found to be hard to open without damaging the plaster. They are packaged in a cardboard carton which of course can be recycled, and can be found in good chemists and chain stores. These plasters are more expensive than supermarket own brands, but I think the higher price is justified and they are worth the money in the end as they will need to be replaced less often.

My only criticism is that they are only waterproof when they've just been applied. After a few hours the stickiness wears off and if you submerge the body part with the plaster on it in water or run it under the tap or shower head the plaster will probably come off.

These plasters and/or their packaging may contain latex so they would not be suitable for persons with an allergy to latex.

Summary: Finally, plasters that do (mostly) what they say they'll do!