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Tapes

Medical tapes are essential adhesives used to secure dressings, tubing, and other medical devices to a patient’s skin. This category includes several varieties, such as paper, silk, plastic, and cloth tapes, each offering different levels of adhesion and breathability. Clinicians select tape based on the patient's skin sensitivity, the duration of use, and the weight of the item being secured. It is critical to choose tapes that provide reliable hold without causing epidermal stripping or irritation upon removal. Versatile and dependable medical tapes are fundamental components of any clinical supply inventory, supporting effective wound care and device management.

76 Products

Medical tape is a deceptively simple supply — but the wrong choice can pull skin, fail to hold a dressing, or trigger an allergic reaction in a sensitive patient. PriconMed carries the main classes of clinical tape so your team can match the adhesive to the procedure.

What is it?

Medical tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip used to secure dressings, tubing, splints and devices to a patient's skin. Modern medical tapes are engineered with backings (paper, silk, plastic, cloth, foam) and adhesives (acrylic, silicone, rubber) that balance hold strength against skin trauma on removal. Most hospital-grade tapes are latex-free — confirm on each product's label.

Types

Paper / micropore tapeHypoallergenic, breathable, and gentle on fragile skin. The default choice for elderly patients, pediatrics, and IV site dressings. Tears easily by hand.
Plastic / transpore tapePerforated polyethylene with strong acrylic adhesive. Conforms to contours and resists moisture — ideal for securing tubes, catheters, and oxygen masks.
Cloth / silk tapeHigh tensile strength for orthopedic immobilization, bandage anchoring, and athletic taping. Stays put through perspiration but can leave residue.
Foam and silicone tapeSoft silicone adhesives lift cleanly with virtually zero skin stripping — the standard for neonatal, oncology, and chronic wound patients.
Waterproof tapeOcclusive backing rated for shower and pool exposure. Used over IV sites, central lines, and post-op incisions when patients need to bathe.

How to choose

  • Match the adhesive class to skin condition — silicone for fragile, paper for general, cloth for high-load.
  • Confirm width and length match your par-level usage; bulk cases of 1-inch and 2-inch are the most cost-effective.
  • Verify latex-free status if your facility serves any latex-allergic population.
  • Check sterility: most rolled tape is non-sterile clean. Sterile single-use strips are required inside a surgical field.
  • Look at MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) for long-wear applications — higher MVTR reduces maceration.

Common clinical uses

  • Securing IV catheters, central lines, and arterial lines
  • Anchoring primary wound dressings and gauze pads
  • Holding endotracheal tubes and NG tubes
  • Athletic and orthopedic joint stabilization
  • Post-surgical incision support and Steri-Strip reinforcement

Frequently asked questions

Is medical tape latex-free?
Most modern medical tapes are latex-free, but not all. Check the product label or packaging before use with latex-sensitive patients.
What's the difference between Micropore and Transpore?
Micropore is a soft paper tape designed for sensitive skin and short-term use. Transpore is a perforated plastic tape with stronger adhesion, better suited to securing devices and tubing.
Can medical tape be used on open wounds?
Tape should never be applied directly to an open wound bed. Apply over a primary dressing that fully covers the wound, anchoring on intact periwound skin.