Need help:

What is the stuff you put on your skin to help a band-aid stick??? What schould I look for in the store or at the pharmacy???
Thanks Big_Al

tincture of benzoin, or possibly, gum arabic

I react to benzoin after a couple of days. All the skin within a half-inch of the stuff gets red, swollen, tender and, maddeningly itchy. Sort of like poison ivy.

Super-glue works if applied at the edge. Duct tape it much more sticky than normal band-aids. Higher quality plasters, particularly the fabric kind, seem to stick better.

A piece of high quality duct tape over the plaster works well. I have also found that athletic tape, the stuff they use to wrap joints, ankles, is quite sticky and durable once applied. Even exposed to sweat and water.

Any tape or stick-um will work better on clean, dry skin. Alcohol wipes work well. Alcohols based hand cleaners don't unless you vigorously scrub off the gel base. At least that's been my experience.

Also any tape or bandage will work better if applied completely around the appendage.

Curaid and Band-Aid make a spray on bandage. Worked well for me recently when I was bitten by a dog on my thumb. I wish I had some when I was on FTX at Fort Bullis TX. I cut my hand trying to close an auto Gerber and cut my hand right on the palm. I resorted to duct tape to keep it from opening.

What you typically find in most commercial first aid kits (at least better ones) is Tincture of Benzoin. The biggest problem is that it hurts like hell if it gets into a wound. Secondarily, is that while it helps, it isn't all that great adhesive.

I use Mastisol in my personal kits and any custom FA kit I assemble for a client. Much better than Tincture of Benzoin all the way around. But, much more expensive.

Doug:
Is there a place where I can get Mastisol in a small quantity.

Ask your doctor. Often they will have swabs and often as not, they'll just give you some.

Just did a Google search for the small vials. This is what came up just in a quickie:

http://www.metromedicalonline.com/03091e.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mastisol-Individual-Vials-2-3-ml-Vials_W0QQitemZ9527420517QQcmdZViewItem