What is the most common wound dressing?

Traditionally, gauze wound dressings were made from woven or nonwoven gauze. Gauze dressings continue to be the most readily available wound dressings in use today.  Gauze is highly permeable and relatively non-occlusive.  Therefore, gauze dressings may promote desiccation in wounds with minimal exudate unless used in combination with another dressing or topical agent.  Gauze may be used as a primary or secondary wound dressing. Gauze dressings are inexpensive for one-time or short-term use.  Gauze dressings come in many forms: squares, sheets, rolls, and packing strips.

Film dressings are thin, flexible sheets of clear polyurethane combining an adhesive coating on one side to allow adherence to the skin. The adhesive reacts with wound exudate to prevent adhesion to the wound bed while allowing the film to stick to the dry, skin surrounding the wound. Film dressings are highly elastic and conformable to body contours and are suitable for use either as a primary or secondary dressing. The transparent quality of film dressings allows visualization of the wound.

Hydrogel wound dressings are 80% to 99% water-or-glycerin-based wound dressings that are available in sheets, gels, or impregnated gauzes.  Hydrogels can only absorb a minimal amount of fluid. But since they contain high water/glycerin content they are able to donate moisture to dry wounds.  When applied to the skin or wound, they feel cool and may decrease wound pain. But, hydrogels are permeable to gas and water, making them less effective bacterial barriers than semipermeable films or hydrocolloids. And, they may dehydrate easily, particularly if water based. Almost all hydrogels are non-adhesive and require a secondary dressing.

Foam wound dressings are sheets and other shapes of foamed polymer solutions (most commonly polyurethane) with small, open cells capable of holding fluids. They may be impregnated or layered in combination with other materials. Absorption capability depends on thickness and composition. The area in contact with the wound surface is non-adhesive for easy removal. Available with an adhesive border and/or a transparent film coating that acts as a bacterial barrier. Indicated for partial- and full-thickness wounds.

Alginate wound dressings are made from brown seaweed.  When placed within the wound bed, alginate dressings react with serum and wound exudate to form a gel. This gel provides a moist wound environment and may trap bacteria, which can then be washed away during dressing changes. It is important not to confuse this gel for infection.  Alginates are highly permeable and nonocclusive.  Therefore, they require a secondary dressing, most commonly gauze. Alginates are available in three forms. Alginate sheets may be placed on wound beds to absorb drainage. Alginate ropes are used to tightly fill wound tunnels or areas of undermining. And alginate-tipped applicators can be used to probe wounds, fill wound cavities and tunnels perform swab cultures, and measure wound depth. Hydrofibers are dressings made from sodium carboxymethylcellulose.  These dressings are similar to alginates in appearance, use, and precautions, and are often used interchangeably with alginates.

Composite or combination wound dressings, are multi-layer dressings that can be used as primary- or- secondary wound dressings.   Most composite dressings have three layers. The inner contact layer is non-adherent, preventing trauma to the wound bed during dressing changes. The middle layer absorbs moisture and wicks it away from the wound bed to prevent maceration while maintaining a moist wound environment. This middle layer may consist of a hydrogel, semi-permeable foam, hydrocolloid, or alginate. The outer layer serves as a bacterial barrier and is commonly composed of a semi-permeable film. Because composite dressings are prepackaged, they have less flexibility in terms of indications for use, and buying and storing these dressings can be quite costly.

Hydrocolloid wound dressings contain hydrophilic colloidal particles such as gelatin, pectin, and cellulose, and have a very strong film or foam adhesive backing.  This class of dressings varies greatly in absorption abilities.  Hydrocolloids absorb exudate slowly by swelling into a gel-like mass.  Upon removal, a residue commonly remains within the wound bed.  Because this residue may have a foul odor, it is often mistaken as a sign of infection.  Hydrocolloids come in a variety of sizes and precut shapes. Several hydrocolloids have beveled edges to reduce the tendency for the dressing to roll when placed in high-friction areas. Hydrocolloids provide thermal insulation to the wound and are impermeable to water, oxygen, and bacteria. Wounds dressed with hydrocolloids have lower infection rates than wounds covered with gauze, semipermeable films, sheet hydrogels, or semi-permeable foams.

Wound dressings are sometimes described as passive, active, or interactive. While passive dressings simply serve a protective function, active dressings actually promote healing through the creation of a moist wound environment. Interactive dressings, on the other hand, not only create a moist wound environment but also interact with the wound bed components to further enhance wound healing.

12 Sep 2017

When it comes to wound healing, it is vital to ensure that healing is as fast and effective as possible, for this using the right dressing is crucial. The type of dressing used for dressing a wound should always depend on various factors, including the type of injury, the size, location, and severity.

At CLH, we have a range of different wound dressings on offer, each of which is ideal for treating different wounds. From hydrogel and hydrocolloid to alginate dressings, we have a wide range of options on offer.

To make the process of choosing the right wound dressing for the injury, that little bit easier, we have put together the guide below, detailing what each of the seven most commonly used wound dressings should be used for.

1. Hydrocolloid

Hydrocolloid dressings can be used on burns, wounds that are emitting liquid, necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, and venous ulcers. These are non-breathable dressings that are self-adhesive and require no taping. The flexible material that they are made from makes them comfortable to wear and suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types.

How these dressings work is by creating moist conditions which help to heal certain wounds; the surface is coated with a substance which contains polysaccharides and other polymers which absorb water and form a gel, keeping the wound clean, protecting it from infection, and helping it to heal more quickly.

Hydrocolloid dressings are impermeable to bacteria, which is what makes them so effective at preventing infections. They are also long-lasting, biodegradable, and easy to apply.

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2. Hydrogel

Hydrogel can be used for a range of wounds that are leaking little or no fluid, and are painful or necrotic wounds, or are pressure ulcers or donor sites. Hydrogel can also be used for second-degree burns and infected wounds.

Hydrogel dressings are designed to maximise patient comfort and reduce pain while helping to heal wounds or burns and fight infection. The cooling gel in products like Burn Soothe are what makes them so effective at reducing pain and speeding up the healing process.

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3. Alginate

Alginate dressings are made to offer effective protection for wounds that have high amounts of drainage, and burns, venous ulcers, packing wounds, and higher state pressure ulcers. These dressings absorb excess liquid and create a gel that helps to heal the wound or burn more quickly. Containing sodium and seaweed fibres, these dressings are able to absorb high amounts of fluid, plus they are biodegradable after use.

These dressings require changing around every two days, sometimes more, due to the amount of liquid that they absorb and the nature of the wound. Changing them too often could cause too much dryness or could lead to bacteria penetrating the wound. These should only be used for wet wounds with high liquid drainage; else they can hinder healing by drying out wounds too quickly.

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4. Collagen

Collagen dressings can be used for chronic wounds or stalled wounds, pressure sores, transplant sites, surgical wounds, ulcers, burns, or injuries with a large surface area. These dressings act as a scaffolding for new cells to grow and can be highly effective when it comes to healing.

Collagen dressings encourage the wound healing process in a range of ways; these include by helping to remove dead tissue, aiding the growth of new blood vessels, and helping to bring the wound edges together, effectively speeding up healing.

5. Foam

For wounds of varying degrees of severity, foam dressings can work incredibly well, as well as for injuries that exhibit odours. Foam dressings absorb exudates from the wound’s surface, creating an environment that promotes faster healing.

These dressings allow water vapour to enter, keeping the area moist, promoting faster healing, but prevent bacteria from entering the affected area. These dressings come in various sizes and shapes, as well as in a range of adhesive and non-adhesive options.

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6. Transparent

Transparent dressings are useful for when medical professionals or carers want to monitor wound healing, as these dressings cover the wound with a clear film. These make identifying potential complications much easier, such as by making infections easier to spot at an earlier time. For this reason, these kinds of dressings are often used on surgical incision sites, on burns and ulcers, and on IV sites.

These dressings are breathable but impermeable to bacteria, helping to keep the wound clean and dry, preventing infection and speeding up healing. They are also flexible, which makes them comfortable to wear.

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7. Cloth

Cloth dressings are the most commonly used dressings, often used to protect open wounds or areas of broken skin. They are suitable for minor injuries such as grazes, cuts or areas of delicate skin.

These dressings come in all shapes and sizes, from small coverings for fingers to larger ones for wounds across wider areas of the body. As well as pre-cut dressings, these also come in a roll option that is made to be cut to size.

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