<P> An adhesive bandage is a small, flexible sheet of material which is sticky on one side, with a smaller, non-sticky, absorbent pad stuck to the sticky side . The pad is placed against the wound, and overlapping edges of the sticky material are smoothed down so they stick to the surrounding skin . Adhesive bandages are generally packaged in a sealed, sterile bag, with a backing covering the sticky side; the backing is removed as the bandage is applied . They come in a variety of sizes and shapes . </P> <P> The backing and bag are often made of coated paper, but may be made of plastic . </P> <P> The adhesive sheet is usually a woven fabric, plastic (PVC, polyethylene or polyurethane), or latex strip . It may or may not be waterproof; if it is airtight, the bandaid is an occlusive dressing . The adhesive is commonly an acrylate, including methacrylates and epoxy diacrylates (which are also known as vinyl resins). </P> <P> The absorbent pad is often made of cotton, and there is sometimes a thin, porous - polymer coating over the pad, to keep it from sticking to the wound . The pad may also be medicated with an antiseptic solution . In some bandages, the pad is made of a water - absorbing hydrogel . This is especially common in dressings used on blisters, as the gel acts as a cushion . </P>

What is the sticky stuff on band aids