It happens to all of us. On a Sunday afternoon when the doctor’s office is closed, we slice our finger in the kitchen or our ankle or some other body part while working or playing in the great outdoors. We are able to stop the bleeding but after that? Ouch. It looks like stitches might be needed. Talk about bad timing.
In this review, learn about ZipStitch, the consumer version of a professional product that can be used to securely close minor cuts, wounds, and lacerations without the use of invasive sutures. Not only that, I have two ZipStitch kits available in a giveaway to two lucky readers.
Note: This giveaway has ended.
In the simplest of terms, ZipStitch is a wound closure device that allows you to close small, but nasty, lacerations in just a minute or two. There is no skin puncturing involved and no DIY suturing. It is used when your typical butterfly bandage is not enough to protect a wound from opening.
Zip Surgical Skin Closure Device, the professional version of the ZipStitch, has been used professionally by health care professionals and surgeons since 2014. The ZipStitch consumer product takes advantage of the very same technology. It uses a hydrocolloid adhesive formulated for 2-week wear with an adjustable closure so that the ZipStitch can be dialed in to close the wound as much or as little as needed.
The ZipStitch comes in a kit about the size of a #10 business envelope. Inside the kit is the ZipStitch device itself, along with an alcohol wipe, gauze pad, and large, protective bandage. There is also a large, fold-out instruction sheet as well as printed instructions on the sterile packet that contains the device itself.
1. Wash hands
As with all first aid procedures, if you can, thoroughly wash you hands with soap and water before using the ZipStitch. If you have nitrile or latex gloves, use them as well. Likewise, if you have scissors available, clip away any hair that surrounds the wound.
2. Control Bleeding
The first thing you are going to want to do is stop the bleeding. Use the included gauze pad and apply pressure. Warning: in my experience I have learned that it is best to keep applying pressure for five minutes after the bleeding has stopped, just to be sure.
3. Clean Wound
Once the bleeding in under control, use the alcohol wipe to clean the laceration plus the surrounding area. This will help prevent infection plus will remove any dirt or debris from the wound itself. Allow the area to dry completely.
4. Apply the ZipStitch device
Open the sterile package containing the ZipStitch and remove the clear liner. Center it over the would and press firmly to the skin. Remove the paper frame. Note that there is a small tab you can use to make this easier.
5. Pinch the Straps Closed
Now the fun part. Hold the device in place and pull each of the four straps to tighten and close the wound. Be sure not to over-tighten. If the surrounding area is swollen, you can always adjust it tighter later when the swelling has gone down.
If you have clean scissors available, snip off the excess straps.
6. Apply a Protective Dressing
Create a dressing by covering the wound and ZipStitch device with the large, 4″ x 3″ bandage that is included in the kit. Before applying the bandage, I personally would apply topical essential oils to the wound to promote healing. But that’s just me.
Here is an informative YouTube video that describes how to use the ZipStitch.
The ZipStitch is intended for use on wounds and lacerations up to 1 1/2″ in length. In addition, the wound being treated should be more or less straight, without jagged edges, Anything larger than that may require professional intervention.
If you have scissors available, you can save yourself some grief down the road by snipping away any hairs that surround the wounded area. As you can see in the photo above, I did not do that while testing the device for this review.
ZipStitch has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Additional Reading: First Aid Healing Boo-Boo Stick Using Essential Oils
ZipStitch is offering a free kit to 2 lucky readers. Using the Rafflecopter below, entering is easy and everyone gets a free entry although you also have an opportunity to earn bonus entries. Please note that this giveaway is only open to readers with a US shipping address. The giveaway will run through Tuesday, January 29 at 12AM MST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winners will be selected at random and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck!
ZipStitch is available for purchase on Amazon or directly via their website at https://zipstitch.us/. While the cost may seem expensive, it is the fraction of the cost of a trip to the ER.
Every prepper I know has an extensive first aid kit that includes products for wound care. Many also include suture kits, although I do not do so myself. That said, suturing is invasive and if done irresponsibly, can leave lasting scars at best, and create an infection at worst.
To me, the solution to SHTF wound care is to include a ZipStitch kit as well as various sizes of bandages in both the at-home first aid kit as well as bug-out and get home bags. It is also a good idea to include some self-adhesive wrap bandages and a bottle of “invisible liquid bandage” in your kit.
In the past year, there have been two instances where I could have used the ZipStitch device. The first is when a hand truck ran over my foot while I was camping. Don’t ask. Anyway, the laceration was about an inch long but deep and difficult to keep closed. The bleeding would stop then an hour later it would start all over again. We finally got things under control without having to head back to civilization but for a while it was touch and go.
The second instance was when my husband, Shelly, sliced his finger with his pocket knife. Similarly, we could not get the wound closed enough to prevent it from reopening and starting to bleed again. We finally resorted to a very tight gauze dressing covered with a self-adhesive wrap bandage. Butterfly bandages were useless.
Given my recent experience, I am grateful to have ZipStitch devices in my first aid arsenal. I hope you, too, appreciate their usefulness and will take a few minutes to enter the giveaway. Good luck!
Yours for a Joyful Life,
Gaye
Here are links to the products mentioned in this article. As always, these are products I own and use myself.
ZipStitch: The ZipStitch is a viable alternative to stitches and DIY sutures when used on cuts, wounds, and lacerations up to 1.5″ in length. The ZipStitch can be applied in minutes and in most cases, can save you a trip to Urgent Care or the ER. Perfect for the first aid kit both at home and when on the go.
Self Adhesive Wrap Bandages: I first learned about this type of bandage when I took my dog to the vet. At the time, they were commonly referred to as “vet wrap”. These days, self-adhesive wrap bandages are ubiquitous, and available everywhere.
Liquid Bandage: If you have never used a liquid bandage, you are going to be surprised at how well it works. A small bottle belongs in every first aid kit and will last for years.
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