Unbacked and Modifiable Tapes and Skin Dressings

A method of constructing an occlusive dressing over a wound penetrating the skin of a patient, comprising:

• selecting a drape formed as a thin sheet of an elastomeric material substantially impervious to fluid transfer and having first and second surfaces;
• selecting a biocompatible adhesive that is at least one of (1) disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape, (2) applied to at least one of (i) the skin of the patient surrounding the wound and (ii) at least a portion of at least the first surface of the drape, and (3) serves as a base material for the drape;
• when the biocompatible adhesive (a) is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the drape or (b) serves as the base material for the drape, further including removing at least one removable liner sheet covering at least the first surface of the drape;
• placing the drape onto the skin surrounding the wound;
• applying a sealant that is in a liquid state as applied, the sealant being at least partially cross-linked at least after one of drying and curing, on at least the edges of the drape and on the skin adjacent to the drape in at least one layer;
• and
• at least one of drying and curing the sealant within thirty minutes after application of the sealant as the layer to the edges of the drape.