A hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid, a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. The applicator may be applicable for a medical purpose. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, the fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, spread on a surface. The frangible applicator tip may comprise a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element, and a frangible region there between. The tongue element may comprise ribs for reinforcing the tongue element. The applicator tip may comprise a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid.
