Selfadherent

Selfadherent refers to materials and products that adhere to themselves or to surfaces without requiring an external adhesive. The adherence usually arises from cohesive forces within the material or from a light, skin-safe tackiness, enabling the item to cling to itself rather than to skin, hair, or other surfaces.

In medical settings, self-adherent wraps—often called cohesive bandages—are designed to stick to themselves when wrapped around a limb or torso, providing compression and support while remaining relatively easy to apply and remove. They typically do not require glue, tapes, or pins and are favored for securing dressings, supporting sprains, and controlling swelling. The fabric is commonly elastic or woven and breathable, which helps minimize skin maceration.

Advantages include simple application, minimal residue on skin, reduced pain on removal, and the ability to adjust tension during application. They can be torn by hand and used in environments where conventional adhesive tapes are undesirable, such as sensitive skin or hair-bearing areas.

Limitations include reduced performance when wet or dirty, potential loosening with heavy movement or prolonged use, and variability in grip depending on fabric type and wound conditions. They are not typically used for long-term fixation of implants or in situations requiring a watertight seal.

See also: cohesive bandage, self-adherent tape, cohesive wound dressing.