wristband

A wristband is a loop or strap worn around the wrist. It serves many purposes, including fashion, identification, and technology. Common types include medical ID bands, event entry bands, and wearable devices.

Materials vary: silicone and rubber for durable, water-resistant bands; Tyvek and paper for disposable event bands; fabric, leather, metal for fashion wear.

In medical use, wristbands carry patient information, often with name, date of birth, medical record number, and allergy or code alerts; some include barcodes or RFID chips to link to electronic records.

In events, wristbands control access, indicate age or ticket level, and can be color-coded; security features may include tamper-evident closures.

Wearable technology wristbands, or smart bands, integrate sensors to monitor activity, heart rate, sleep, and sometimes GPS; they can sync with smartphones and apps.

History: wristbands have ancient roots as jewelry or status symbols; modern medical IDs emerged in the 20th century; event bands became common in the late 20th century. Safety: latex allergies and choking hazards for children; environmental considerations.