Bandage vs. Plaster — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 27, 2024
Bandage is a piece of material used to support or protect an injured body part, whereas plaster is a hardened protective material used to cover wounds or immobilize injuries.
Difference Between Bandage and Plaster
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A bandage is typically made from cloth or gauze and is used to wrap or cover injuries, providing support and helping to control swelling. On the other hand, plaster often refers to a plaster of Paris bandage that hardens after application, used to create sturdy, immobilizing casts for broken bones.
Bandages are flexible and can be wrapped around various body parts, adapting to different shapes and sizes. In contrast, plaster is initially malleable but sets into a rigid structure that conforms to the body part it is applied to, offering more rigid support.
While bandages are used for minor injuries, securing dressings, and managing swelling, plasters are utilized for more serious conditions that require immobilization, such as fractures or deep wounds.
Bandages can be easily applied and removed by individuals without professional help, making them suitable for first aid in homes and sports. Conversely, plaster applications are typically performed by healthcare professionals, as incorrect application can lead to complications.
Bandages are reusable and can be washed, which makes them cost-effective and convenient for repeated use. Plasters, however, are single-use and must be cut off, usually during a follow-up medical appointment.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Cloth, gauze
Plaster of Paris, fiberglass
Flexibility
Highly flexible
Rigid after setting
Primary Use
Minor injuries, support, swelling control
Immobilization of fractures, severe injuries
Application
Can be self-applied
Requires professional application
Reusability
Reusable and washable
Single-use and must be removed professionally
Compare with Definitions
Bandage
A strip of woven material used to bind or cover an injured part of the body.
She wrapped a bandage around the sprained ankle.
Plaster
A medical dressing made of plaster of Paris, encasing limbs to set broken bones.
His broken arm was immobilized in a plaster cast.
Bandage
A device used to hold dressings in place.
A bandage was applied to secure the gauze.
Plaster
Protective and supportive material for building and sculpting.
Plaster is often used in decorative moldings.
Bandage
An aid that supports muscle and bone integrity during movement.
The athlete wore a bandage to stabilize her knee.
Plaster
A term used to describe the action of applying plaster material.
They had to plaster the new brick wall for a smooth finish.
Bandage
Any material used to protect or support injured limbs or body parts.
He used an elastic bandage for compression.
Plaster
A mixture of lime, water, and sand that hardens into a smooth solid.
The wall was coated with a layer of plaster.
Bandage
A flexible tool in medical and home first aid kits.
The first aid kit included several types of bandages for different uses.
Plaster
A hardened cover that protects and stabilizes serious injuries.
The plaster around his leg will ensure the bone heals correctly.
Bandage
A bandage is a piece of material used either to support a medical device such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to provide support to or to restrict the movement of a part of the body. When used with a dressing, the dressing is applied directly on a wound, and a bandage used to hold the dressing in place.
Plaster
Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for moulding and casting decorative elements. In English, "plaster" usually means a material used for the interiors of buildings, while "render" commonly refers to external applications.
Bandage
A strip of woven material used to bind up a wound or to protect an injured part of the body
A strip of bandage
Her leg was swathed in bandages
Plaster
A mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water, sometimes with fiber added, that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls and ceilings.
Bandage
Bind (a wound or a part of the body) with a protective strip of material
Bandage the foot so that the ankle is supported
Plaster
Plaster of Paris.
Bandage
A strip of material such as gauze used to protect, immobilize, compress, or support a wound or injured body part.
Plaster
A pastelike mixture applied to a part of the body for healing or cosmetic purposes.
Bandage
To apply a bandage to.
Plaster
Chiefly British An adhesive bandage.
Bandage
A strip of gauze or similar material used to protect or support a wound or injury.
Plaster
To cover, coat, or repair with plaster.
Bandage
A strip of cloth bound round the head and eyes as a blindfold.
Plaster
To cover or hide with or as if with a coat of plaster
Plastered over our differences.
Bandage
A provisional or makeshift solution that provides insufficient coverage or relief.
This new healthcare proposal merely applies a bandage to the current medical crisis
Plaster
To apply a plaster to
Plaster an aching muscle.
Bandage
To apply a bandage to something.
Plaster
To cover conspicuously, as with things pasted on; overspread
Plaster the walls with advertising.
Bandage
A fillet or strip of woven material, used in dressing and binding up wounds, etc.
Plaster
To affix conspicuously, usually with a paste
Plaster notices on all the doors.
Bandage
Something resembling a bandage; that which is bound over or round something to cover, strengthen, or compress it; a ligature.
Zeal too had a place among the rest, with a bandage over her eyes.
Plaster
To make smooth by applying a sticky substance
Plaster one's hair with pomade.
Bandage
To bind, dress, or cover, with a bandage; as, to bandage the eyes.
Plaster
To make adhere to another surface
"His hair was plastered to his forehead" (William Golding).
Bandage
A piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
Plaster
To inflict heavy damage or injury on.
Bandage
Wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose
Plaster
To defeat decisively.
Bandage
Dress by covering or binding;
The nurse bandaged a sprained ankle
Bandage an incision
Plaster
To apply plaster.
Plaster
(uncountable) A paste applied to the skin for healing or cosmetic purposes.
Plaster
A small adhesive bandage to cover a minor wound; a sticking plaster.
Plaster
(uncountable) A mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water, sometimes with the addition of fibres, that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls and ceilings; render, stucco.
Plaster
(countable) A cast made of plaster of Paris and gauze; a plaster cast.
Plaster
(uncountable) plaster of Paris.
Plaster
(transitive) To cover or coat something with plaster; to render.
To plaster a wall
Plaster
(transitive) To apply a plaster to.
To plaster a wound
Plaster
(transitive) To smear with some viscous or liquid substance.
Her face was plastered with mud.
Plaster
(transitive) To hide or cover up, as if with plaster; to cover thickly.
The radio station plastered the buses and trains with its advertisement.
Plaster
To bombard heavily or overwhelmingly; to overwhelm with (weapons) fire.
Plaster
To smooth over.
Plaster
An external application of a consistency harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking plaster.
Plaster
A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions of houses. See Mortar.
Plaster
Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings, etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertilizer.
Plaster
To cover with a plaster, as a wound or sore.
Plaster
To overlay or cover with plaster, as the ceilings and walls of a house.
Plaster
Fig.: To smooth over; to cover or conceal the defects of; to hide, as with a covering of plaster.
Plaster
A mixture of lime or gypsum with sand and water; hardens into a smooth solid; used to cover walls and ceilings
Plaster
Any of several gypsum cements; a white powder (a form of calcium sulphate) that forms a paste when mixed with water and hardens into a solid; used in making molds and sculptures and casts for broken limbs
Plaster
A medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
Plaster
A hardened surface of plaster (as on a wall or ceiling);
There were cracks in the plaster
Plaster
Adhesive tape used in dressing wounds
Plaster
Cover conspicuously, as by pasting something on;
The demonstrators plastered the hallways with posters
Plaster
Affix conspicuously;
She plastered warnings all over the wall
Plaster
Apply a plaster cast to;
Plaster the broken arm
Plaster
Apply a heavy coat to
Plaster
Coat with plaster;
Daub the wall
Plaster
Dress by covering with a therapeutic substance
Common Curiosities
What is the primary use of a bandage?
Bandages are primarily used for wrapping injuries, providing support, and controlling swelling.
What is plaster commonly used for in medical settings?
In medical settings, plaster is commonly used for making casts to immobilize broken bones.
Can bandages be reused?
Yes, many types of bandages are washable and reusable.
Are plasters flexible?
No, plasters are not flexible; they harden to provide rigid support.
Is a bandage suitable for severe fractures?
No, for severe fractures, a plaster cast is recommended to immobilize the area fully.
What materials are used to make plaster casts?
Plaster casts are typically made from materials like plaster of Paris or fiberglass.
Can a plaster cast get wet?
Traditional plaster casts cannot get wet as water can compromise their structural integrity.
How is a bandage applied?
Bandages can be self-applied and typically involve wrapping the material around the injured area.
How long can a plaster cast stay on?
A plaster cast usually stays on until the bone heals, which can vary from weeks to months, depending on the injury.
Why must plaster be applied by a professional?
Plaster must be applied by a professional to ensure it sets correctly and does not impede circulation or movement.
What materials are bandages made from?
Bandages are usually made from materials like cloth or gauze.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
