What does פלסטר mean in Israel?

A plain פלסטר usually means a US adhesive bandage or UK plaster. פלסטר רפואי may mean a medical tape roll with no wound pad.

Does תחבושת mean bandage or dressing?

תחבושת can mean a wound dressing, roller bandage, elastic wrap, or combined pressure dressing. Name the construction you need because a dressing touches the wound while a bandage usually holds the dressing or adds support or pressure.

Can I buy first aid ointment without a pharmacist in Israel?

Sale status depends on the exact medicine, strength, form, and pack. A pharmacy OTC medicine is not automatically GSL, and prescription antibiotic ointments require a prescription and pharmacy dispensing.

Does every cut need antiseptic or antibiotic cream?

No. For an ordinary cut, Magen David Adom gives the basic sequence of direct pressure, washing with running water and soap, then a sterile covering. A cut does not automatically need antibiotic cream.

When should I call 101 instead of using the first aid shelf?

Call Magen David Adom at 101 for an emergency. Uncontrolled bleeding, major burns, severe allergic reactions, embedded objects, animal bites, and wounds needing closure require medical help.

Israeli First Aid Guide: Hebrew Shelf Words

Dressings and Wraps

Adhesive bandage strips beside a plain box, plaster

On the label or sign

פלסטרים: adhesive bandages or plasters
עמידים במים: water resistant
לחיתוך עצמי: cut to size

פְּלַסְטֶר / פלסטריםAdhesive bandage

plaster / plasterim

US English

Adhesive bandage; Band-Aid

UK English

Plaster

What it is

A פלסטר is a small adhesive strip with a central absorbent pad for a minor wound. Boxes may offer waterproof, transparent, skin tone, children’s, or cut to size versions.

The difference

A plain פלסטר has a wound pad. A product called פלסטר רפואי may instead be medical tape with no pad.

Common mistake

Ask for פלסטרים rather than a general bandage if you want ready-made adhesive strips.

A roll of white medical tape, plaster refui

On the label or sign

פלסטר רפואי: medical tape
אגד רפואי דביק: adhesive medical tape
איספלנית: formal Hebrew for medical tape

פלסטר רפואי; אגד רפואי דביק; מיקרופור; איספלניתMedical tape

plaster refui; eged refui davik; Micropore; isplanit

US English

Medical or adhesive tape

UK English

Surgical or medical tape

What it is

Medical tape is a paper, film, or cloth roll used to secure a separate dressing. The roll has no central wound pad.

The difference

פלסטר רפואי can sound like a medical adhesive bandage, but the label may name tape. אגד רפואי דביק is the less ambiguous shelf phrase for tape.

Common mistake

Do not buy a tape roll when you need ready-made adhesive bandages with pads.

A hydrocolloid blister plaster on a heel

On the label or sign

שלפוחיות: blisters

פלסטר לשלפוחיות / חבישה הידרוקולואידיתBlister dressing

plaster le-shalpukhiyot / khavisha hydrocolloidit

US English

Blister bandage; hydrocolloid dressing

UK English

Blister plaster; hydrocolloid dressing

What it is

A blister dressing is a gel-forming adhesive dressing for blisters or selected superficial wounds. The sealed patch is often thicker than an ordinary fabric strip.

The difference

A blister dressing is not a general fabric plaster. Check the stated purpose on the package before using the patch on a wound.

Common mistake

Do not choose a blister dressing as a general wound plaster without checking the package indication.

Thin adhesive wound closure strips on a card, Steri-Strip

On the label or sign

סטריסטריפ: closure strips
פרפריות: butterfly closures

סטרי-סטריפ / רצועות דביקות לאיחוי חתכיםWound closure strips

Steri-Strip / retsuot dvukot le-ikhui khatakhim

US English

Adhesive skin closure strips

UK English

Wound closure strips; butterfly closures

What it is

Closure strips are narrow adhesive strips that bring together the edges of a suitable small cut. Closure strips are not stitches.

The difference

Closure strips do not make a deep, contaminated, gaping, or persistently bleeding wound suitable for home care. A wound needing glue or stitches needs medical assessment.

Common mistake

Do not close a serious wound at home when the wound needs medical assessment.

On the label or sign

פד גזה: gauze pad
גזה סטרילית: sterile gauze
סטרילי/ת: sterile

פַּד גָּזָה / גָזָה סטריליתSterile gauze pad

pad gaza / gaza sterilit

US English

Sterile gauze pad

UK English

Sterile gauze swab

What it is

A sterile gauze pad is an absorbent square placed directly on a wound. Individually wrapped sterile pads are intended for direct wound contact, while a bulk pack may not be individually sterile.

The difference

A gauze pad is the dressing that touches the wound. A gauze roll is usually the bandage that holds a dressing in place.

Common mistake

Check for סטרילי or סטרילית and an intact individual wrapper instead of assuming every gauze pad is sterile.

On the label or sign

מרופד / סופג / דביק: padded, absorbent, or adhesive
פד פראפין: paraffin dressing
פד וזלין: petrolatum dressing

פד סטרילי מרופד; פד סטרילי דביק; פד פראפין / פד וזליןSpecial wound dressings

pad sterili merupad; pad sterili davik; pad parafin / pad vazelin

US English

Absorbent, island, or nonadherent dressing

UK English

Wound, island, or low-adherent dressing

What it is

A padded sterile dressing is a thicker absorbent pad, sometimes with an adhesive border. A paraffin or petrolatum pad is a low sticking contact layer that may need a separate absorbent dressing.

The difference

The padded type absorbs fluid. The paraffin or petrolatum type reduces sticking and is not an absorbent gauze pad or a medicated burn cure.

Common mistake

Check whether the package names an absorbent pad, an adhesive border, or a low sticking contact layer.

A roll of gauze bandage wrapped around a wrist, eged

On the label or sign

אגד מתמתח: conforming roller bandage
תחבושת גלילית: roller bandage
רשת חבישה: dressing retention net

אֶגֶד / אגד גזה מתמתח / תחבושת גלילית; רשת חבישהRoller bandage and net

eged / eged gaza mitmateakh / takhboshet glilit; reshet khavisha

US English

Gauze roller bandage; retention net

UK English

Conforming bandage; retention net

What it is

An אגד is a roll wrapped around a body part to secure a dressing. A רשת חבישה is an open elastic net that holds a separate dressing on an awkward body part.

The difference

Neither product is normally the sterile pad placed directly on an open wound. A retention net does not absorb blood or provide compression by itself.

Common mistake

Place a suitable dressing on the wound before using a nonsterile roll or retention net to hold the dressing.

An elastic bandage wrapped around an ankle, takhboshet elastit

On the label or sign

תחבושת אלסטית: elastic bandage

תַּחְבֹּשֶׁת אלסטיתElastic bandage

takhboshet elastit

US English

Elastic bandage

UK English

Elastic or crepe bandage

What it is

An elastic bandage is a reusable stretch wrap for support, compression, or securing a dressing. An elastic bandage usually has no wound pad.

The difference

The US brand-derived term ACE may not identify the product locally. The printed width and stretched length identify the size.

Common mistake

Ask for תחבושת אלסטית and avoid excessive compression.

On the label or sign

נצמדת מאליה: self-adhering
נצמדת לעצמה: sticks to itself
קובן: Coban cohesive wrap

תחבושת אלסטית נצמדת לעצמה / קובןCohesive wrap

takhboshet elastit nitsmedet le-atsma / Coban

US English

Self-adherent cohesive wrap

UK English

Cohesive bandage

What it is

A cohesive wrap is an elastic bandage that sticks to itself rather than to skin. A cohesive wrap is not an absorbent wound pad.

The difference

A cohesive wrap does not have adhesive on one skin-facing side. The wrap belongs over a suitable primary dressing when a wound needs covering.

Common mistake

Do not place cohesive wrap directly on a wound as the primary dressing.

An emergency pressure bandage with a sterile pad and pressure bar

On the label or sign

תחבושת אישית: personal pressure dressing
תחבושת לחץ: pressure dressing
דגם צה״ל: IDF style

תחבושת אישית / תחבושת לחץPressure dressing

takhboshet ishit / takhboshet lakhats

US English

Emergency trauma or pressure dressing

UK English

Emergency or pressure dressing

What it is

A pressure dressing combines a sterile absorbent pad with long ties or an elastic wrap. The construction applies pressure to bleeding.

The difference

A pressure dressing is not a routine elastic wrap or a small adhesive bandage. Products sold as an Israeli bandage may not all be identical.

Common mistake

Use direct pressure and call 101 for uncontrolled bleeding instead of treating a pressure dressing as complete care.

A cotton triangular bandage unfolded flat, meshulash bad

On the label or sign

משולש בד: triangular cloth bandage

משולש בדTriangular bandage

meshulash bad

US English

Triangular bandage

UK English

Triangular bandage

What it is

A משולש בד is a triangular cloth used as a sling, to secure a splint, or to add pressure. The cloth is often packed with safety pins.

The difference

A triangular bandage is not automatically sterile. A triangular bandage is not a wound contact pad.

Common mistake

Do not treat a משולש בד as a sterile dressing for direct wound contact.

A tourniquet strap with a rod lying on a table

On the label or sign

חוסם עורקים: tourniquet

חוסם עורקיםTourniquet

khosem orakim

US English

Tourniquet

UK English

Tourniquet

What it is

A tourniquet is a device for life-threatening limb bleeding. Trauma kits may contain a rubber strip or a purpose-built windlass model.

The difference

A trauma tourniquet is not a routine support wrap. A thin rubber phlebotomy strap is not the same as a validated trauma tourniquet.

Common mistake

Learn tourniquet use before an emergency and call 101 for uncontrolled bleeding.

Cleaning and Equipment

A small bottle of sterile saline, salayn

On the label or sign

סליין: saline
תמיסת מלח סטרילית 0.9%: sterile 0.9% saline solution

סליין; תמיסת מלח סטרילית 0.9%Sterile saline

salayn; tmisat melakh sterilit

US English

Sterile normal saline; wound wash

UK English

Sterile saline; eyewash or wound wash

What it is

Sterile saline is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution for irrigation. Single-use ampoules and wound wash bottles are sold on the open shelf.

The difference

Saline rinses. Saline is not an antiseptic or an antibiotic.

Common mistake

Read 0.9% carefully and discard an opened or damaged single-use ampoule because sterility is lost.

A brown bottle of iodine antiseptic and a cotton swab, Polydine

On the label or sign

לשימוש חיצוני על העור: for external use on the skin
פובידון-יוד: povidone-iodine
כלורהקסידין: chlorhexidine

חומר מחטא / אנטיספטי; פולידין תמיסה / משחה; פובידון-יוד; סביעור / כלורהק; כלורהקסידיןSkin antiseptics

khomer mekhate / antisepti; Polydine tmisa / mishkha; povidone-iodine; Savior / Chlorhex; chlorhexidine

US English

Skin antiseptic

UK English

Skin antiseptic

What it is

חומר מחטא or אנטיספטי is a category for products used on living tissue. Polydine is a registered povidone-iodine antiseptic medicine. סביעור and כלורהק can refer to products with chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine plus cetrimide, but formulations differ.

The difference

A skin antiseptic is not the same as a disinfectant for tools or surfaces. Sale status depends on the exact product, form, and pack.

Common mistake

Read the active ingredient, route, and indication instead of treating every product in an antiseptics category as suitable for broken skin.

Small alcohol prep pads, one opened, padei alkohol

On the label or sign

אלכוהול 70%: 70% alcohol
פדי אלכוהול: alcohol pads

אלכוהול 70%; פדי אלכוהול70% alcohol and pads

alkohol shivim akhuz; padei alkohol

US English

70% alcohol; alcohol prep pads

UK English

70% surgical spirit; alcohol wipes

What it is

These skin preparation products come as 70% liquid or individually wrapped pads. The label and context state whether the product is for intact skin, a particular wound situation, or equipment.

The difference

Hand gel, 99% alcohol for tools, and registered 70% skin products are not interchangeable. Exact sale status may be pharmacy OTC or GSL.

Common mistake

Check the route and exact product instead of choosing any item that contains alcohol.

A box of blue disposable gloves, kfafot khad-pa'amiyot

On the label or sign

כפפות חד-פעמיות: disposable gloves
ללא לטקס: latex free

כפפות חד-פעמיות, ללא לטקסDisposable nonlatex gloves

kfafot khad-paamiyot, lelo latex

US English

Disposable nonlatex exam gloves

UK English

Disposable nonlatex gloves

What it is

Disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves provide barrier protection for the helper. The gloves are not a sterile dressing.

The difference

Disposable does not mean sterile. Glove size matters for the people likely to use the kit.

Common mistake

Keep suitable sizes clean and replace gloves that are degraded or torn.

Bandage shears cutting a gauze, misparayim le-ezra rishona

On the label or sign

מספריים לעזרה ראשונה: first aid scissors
מלע״כ: first aid scissors abbreviation

מספריים לעזרה ראשונה / מלע״כTrauma shears

misparayim le-ezra rishona / malakh

US English

Bandage or trauma shears

UK English

Dressing scissors or trauma shears

What it is

First aid scissors have a blunt tip for cutting dressings or clothing. מלע״כ is kit jargon for מספריים לעזרה כירורגית.

The difference

Trauma shears are shaped for safer cutting near skin. The acronym מלע״כ does not name a medicine.

Common mistake

Use blunt first aid scissors instead of pointed household scissors next to skin.

On the label or sign

פינצטה: tweezers

פינצטהTweezers

pintseta

US English

Tweezers

UK English

Tweezers

What it is

Tweezers are a tool for suitable superficial foreign material. First aid kits may include metal or plastic tweezers.

The difference

Tweezers are not for removing an object embedded in a serious wound. Magen David Adom says not to remove an object stuck in a wound.

Common mistake

Leave an embedded object in place and seek medical help instead of pulling with tweezers.

On the label or sign

מדחום דיגיטלי: digital thermometer

מדחום דיגיטליDigital thermometer

madkhom digitali

US English

Digital thermometer

UK English

Digital thermometer

What it is

A digital thermometer measures temperature and belongs in a broader home medicine cabinet. Models may be made for oral or underarm measurement.

The difference

Different thermometers may use different measurement sites. The model instructions state the correct method.

Common mistake

Check the measurement site and batteries instead of assuming every digital thermometer works the same way.

A white instant cold pack on a towel, kompres kar

On the label or sign

קומפרס קר: cold pack
שקית קירור: cooling pack

קומפרס קר מיידי / שקית קירור חד-פעמיתInstant cold pack

kompres kar miyadi / sakit kirur khad-paamit

US English

Instant cold pack

UK English

Instant cold pack

What it is

An instant cold pack is a chemical pack activated by squeezing. The sealed pack is not ice.

The difference

An instant cold pack is not a burn treatment. Maccabi says not to use ice on burns.

Common mistake

Do not place an instant cold pack directly on skin or use the pack on a thermal burn.

Creams and Medicines

Plain tubes of ointment and cream, one squeezed

On the label or sign

מרכיב פעיל: active ingredient
למה מיועדת התרופה?: what is the medicine for?
קרם: cream

מִשְׁחָה / קרם / ג'ל / תמיסה; בפנטן פלוס, קרם; ביאפין, קרםTopical forms and creams

mishkha / krem / jel / tmisa; Bepanthen Plus krem; Biafine krem

US English

Ointment, cream, gel, or solution

UK English

Ointment, cream, gel, or solution

What it is

משחה, קרם, ג'ל, and תמיסה name dosage forms rather than treatments. Bepanthen Plus is a dexpanthenol and chlorhexidine cream for wounds with infection risk. Biafine is a trolamine cream for superficial burns, sunburn, and superficial wounds.

The difference

Bepanthen Plus is not an antibiotic or a general moisturizer. Biafine is not sunscreen, an antiseptic, or an antibiotic. Both are nonprescription medicines, but exact pharmacy or GSL status depends on the pack.

Common mistake

Ask for the active ingredient and purpose instead of asking only for a משחה.

A bottle of pink calamine lotion, kalamin

On the label or sign

דימטינדן: dimetindene
קלמין תרחיף: calamine suspension

פניסטיל ג'ל / טינדן ג'ל; דימטינדן; קלמין תרחיףAnti-itch gel and lotion

Fenistil jel / Tinden jel; dimetindene; kalamin tarkhif

US English

Topical antihistamine gel; calamine lotion

UK English

Topical antihistamine gel; calamine lotion

What it is

Fenistil and Tinden are dimetindene 0.1% gels for itch, insect bites, and specified allergic or irritated skin conditions. Calamine is a pink shake-lotion used for soothing itchy or irritated skin.

The difference

Dimetindene gel is not a wound disinfectant. Calamine is not an antihistamine, antiseptic, or antibiotic. Neither product treats a severe allergic reaction.

Common mistake

Breathing difficulty, throat swelling, weakness, or collapse needs emergency care rather than an anti-itch product.

A clear hydrogel burn dressing, pad hydrogel

On the label or sign

פד הידרוג'ל לכוויות: hydrogel burn pad
פד לכוויות: burn pad

פד הידרוג'ל לכוויות / פד לכוויותHydrogel burn pad

pad hydrogel le-kvayot / pad le-kvayot

US English

Hydrogel burn dressing

UK English

Hydrogel burn dressing

What it is

A hydrogel burn pad is a water-rich cooling dressing for selected burns. The pad is sold in a sealed sachet on the open shelf.

The difference

A hydrogel pad is different from ordinary gauze and from a medicated cream. A burn pad does not make a large burn suitable for home care.

Common mistake

Do not cover a burn with fluffy gauze or cotton that may stick to the burn.

On the label or sign

פרצטמול: paracetamol or acetaminophen
איבופרופן: ibuprofen

אקמול / פרצטמול; נורופן / איבופרופןPain and fever medicines

Akamol / paracetamol; Nurofen / ibuprofen

US English

Acetaminophen; ibuprofen

UK English

Paracetamol; ibuprofen

What it is

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are oral pain and fever medicines included in Israeli home first aid guidance. These medicines do not treat a wound.

The difference

Israeli labels normally use פרצטמול or paracetamol where US readers expect acetaminophen. Some defined packs are GSL, while other packs remain pharmacy OTC.

Common mistake

Read the active ingredient and avoid duplicating an ingredient across branded combination products.

משחה/קרם אנטיביוטי: סינטומיצין, בקטרובן, פוסידין; סילברול; סילבר סולפדיאזיןPrescription topical drugs

mishkha or krem antibiotit; Syntomycin; Bactroban; Fucidin; Silverol; silver sulfadiazine

US English

Prescription antibiotic and burn creams

UK English

Prescription antibiotic and burn creams

What it is

Syntomycin, Bactroban, and Fucidin are prescription topical antibiotics with different active ingredients. Silverol is a prescription silver sulfadiazine 1% medicine for specified burns or wounds.

The difference

These prescription products are not routine creams for every cut or burn. The products are not interchangeable, and washing and covering a cut does not automatically require an antibiotic cream.

Common mistake

Do not borrow a leftover tube or expect a US-style antibiotic ointment on an Israeli open shelf.

On the label or sign

מזרק אפינפרין: epinephrine auto-injector
אפיפן: EpiPen

מזרק אפינפרין / אפיפןEpinephrine auto-injector

mazrek epinefrin / EpiPen

US English

Epinephrine auto-injector

UK English

Adrenaline auto-injector

What it is

An epinephrine auto-injector is personal emergency medicine for someone at risk of life-threatening allergy. The patient-specific device has a dose and expiry.

The difference

An epinephrine auto-injector is not a general anti-itch product. A personal supply follows a prescription and pharmacy pathway.

Common mistake

Do not substitute anti-itch gel or an oral antihistamine for emergency care during a severe allergic reaction.

English list	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
Adhesive bandages	פלסטריםplasterim	Ready-made strips with wound pads
Medical tape	אגד רפואי דביקeged refui davik	Tape roll with no wound pad
Sterile gauze pads	גזה סטריליתgaza sterilit	Check for intact individual wrappers
Roller bandage	אגד גזה מתמתחeged gaza mitmateakh	Holds a separate dressing
Elastic bandage	תחבושת אלסטיתtakhboshet elastit	Stretch wrap without a wound pad
Sterile saline	תמיסת מלח סטרילית 0.9%tmisat melakh sterilit	Rinses rather than disinfects
Skin antiseptic	חומר מחטא / אנטיספטיkhomer mekhate / antisepti	Read the active ingredient and route
Anti-itch gel	פניסטיל ג'ל / טינדן ג'לFenistil jel / Tinden jel	For specified itch conditions, not severe allergy

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Dressings and Wraps

פְּלַסְטֶר / פלסטריםAdhesive bandage

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פלסטר רפואי; אגד רפואי דביק; מיקרופור; איספלניתMedical tape

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פלסטר לשלפוחיות / חבישה הידרוקולואידיתBlister dressing

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

סטרי-סטריפ / רצועות דביקות לאיחוי חתכיםWound closure strips

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פַּד גָּזָה / גָזָה סטריליתSterile gauze pad

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פד סטרילי מרופד; פד סטרילי דביק; פד פראפין / פד וזליןSpecial wound dressings

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אֶגֶד / אגד גזה מתמתח / תחבושת גלילית; רשת חבישהRoller bandage and net

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תַּחְבֹּשֶׁת אלסטיתElastic bandage

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תחבושת אלסטית נצמדת לעצמה / קובןCohesive wrap

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תחבושת אישית / תחבושת לחץPressure dressing

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

משולש בדTriangular bandage

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חוסם עורקיםTourniquet

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Cleaning and Equipment

סליין; תמיסת מלח סטרילית 0.9%Sterile saline

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

חומר מחטא / אנטיספטי; פולידין תמיסה / משחה; פובידון-יוד; סביעור / כלורהק; כלורהקסידיןSkin antiseptics

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אלכוהול 70%; פדי אלכוהול70% alcohol and pads

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

כפפות חד-פעמיות, ללא לטקסDisposable nonlatex gloves

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מספריים לעזרה ראשונה / מלע״כTrauma shears

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פינצטהTweezers

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מדחום דיגיטליDigital thermometer

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קומפרס קר מיידי / שקית קירור חד-פעמיתInstant cold pack