Why aren’t waterproof plasters very waterproof?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts
  
  

A hand with medical sticking plasters that match different skin tones Commissioned
But will they stick? Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

Why is it that waterproof plasters come off as soon as they come anywhere near water and yet you need surgery with anaesthetic to remove fabric ones?

Alan Tiplady, Nottingham

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

CAPTCHA

*