Abstract: In a preferred adhesive bandage of the type having an elongated portion having an adhesive surface on one side of the elongated portion, and a gauze portion disposed generally at the center of the adhesive surface, the improvement being a means for retaining the gauze portion in a raised position above a surface defined by the adhesive surface. The means for retaining is formed from foam material or, in an alternative embodiment partly of foam and partly of resilient plastic. Both embodiments of the means for retaining the gauze portion above the surface defined by the adhesive surface have foam ventilation members disposed in longitudinal alignment with the edges of the elongated strip.