Say I suffer a gash on my forearm or thigh. Say it's six inches long and maybe an inch deep. I've stopped the bleeding and irrigated the wound with betadine.

I know I shouldn't try to seal the wound closed -- as with stitches or super glue. But should I try to hold it closed, as with steri-strips or butterfly bandages? Or wrap it with gauze or a bandanna so the wound is held closed?

When I irrigate the wound with clean or sterile water the next day (and all the subsequent days), should I worry about letting the wound open and close as I remove the bandage?

Bear