This document discusses wound dressings and their uses. It begins by defining wound dressings as sterile pads that promote healing and prevent harm. It then describes various types of dressings including gauze, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, films, alginates, and collagens. It provides details on their compositions, functions, and appropriate uses for different wound types. The document also covers topics like wound cleansing, wet wrap therapy, and potential dressing complications.

1. Dr. Faiza Inam
FCPS-II TRAINEE
DERMATOLOGY JPMC

2.  Dressing is a sterile pad applied to a wound to promote
healing, and prevent further harm..
 Good wound care will minimize
the inflammatory response, speed healing and minimize
scarring.

3.  Mechanical and bacterial protection
 Moist environment at wound site
 Gaseous and fluid exchange
 Non adherent to the wound
 Non toxic, non sensitizing, and non allergic
 Well acceptable to the patient
 Cost effective

4.  Highly absorbable
 Absorb wound odor
 Sterile
 Easy to use
 Require infrequent changing
 Available in a suitable range of forms and sizes

5. Primary Dressing touches the wound
Secondary Dressing (Bandage)
Keeps the primary dressing in site
some functions both primary as
well as secondary

6.  Includes:
 Contact (contact with the wound): non‐adherent,
contains a greasy ointment ( paraffin gauze) or
low‐adherence material (polyethylene).
 Absorbent (Hydrocolloid dressing or gauze) soaks up the
excess wound exudate and cushions the wound.
 Outer layers ( tubular bandage, elasticated tape): holds
the other two layers in place.
 The basic dressing may be left in place until suture
removal, but should be changed if it becomes wet.

7.  If discharging wound: dressing should be changed daily to
minimize bacterial growth.
 Ointments : applied to limit surface bacterial growth and
prevent the dressing from sticking to the wound.
 Topical antibiotics: useful in a contaminated wound but should
be avoided in clean wounds because there is an increasing rate
of bacterial resistance to these agents.
 Wounds may be cleansed with water, normal saline or hydrogen
peroxide, several times daily before the reapplication
of ointment.
 Use of topical silicone gel sheeting or polyurethane self-
adhesive patches after routine dermatologic surgery minimizes
the risk of hypertrophic scars and keloids..

8.  Gauze
 Tulle
 Hydrogels
 Hydrocolloid
 Synthetic Foams
 Films
 Alginates
 Hydrofibres
 Collagens

9.  Gauze dressings are made of woven or non-woven materials and come in a
wide variety of shapes and sizes.
 Use on: infected wounds, wounds which require packing, wounds that are
draining, wounds requiring very frequent dressing changes.
 Usually readily available; may be cheaper than other dressing types; can be
used on virtually any type of wound.
 Must be changed frequently, which may add to overall cost; may adhere to
the wound bed; must often be combined with another dressing type; often not
effective for moist wound healing.

11.  A light, thin type of cloth that is like a net.
 Dressing does not stick to wound surface.
 Suitable for flat, shallow wound.
 Useful in patient with sensitive skin.
 Require a secondary dressing.

12.  Bactigras* is an antiseptic, soft paraffin dressing
which soothes and protects the wound whilst helping
to reduce wound infection and inflammation.
 It has low adherence and allows the wound to drain
freely into an absorbent secondary dressing.
 Bactigras is suitable for covering wounds such as
minor burns, lacerations, abrasions, and graft sites.
 Contains chlorhexidine…..an ANTISEPTIC

14.  Base composed of white soft paraffin,
anhydrous lanolin, and 1.0%
Framycetin Sulphate.
 Framycetin ……. aminoglycoside
group.
 Used for Infected wounds, combining
low adherence with antimicrobial
activity

15.  These dressings are thin and
flexible and are composed of a
transparent polyurethane
material.
 Primary adhesive
 Transparent
 Waterproof
 Impermeable to bacteria
 Ultra thin & high elasticity

16. Uses:
 General wound care
 Skin biopsies
 Donor sites
 Superficial partial thickness burns
 Surgical incisions
 Securing of peripheral IV lines
 Central venous catheters
Contraindicted in highly exudative wounds

17.  Hydrocolloid dressings comprise a self-adhesive layer of hydrophilic
colloid particles, such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), pectin, or
gelatin.
 They absorb exudate and swell into a gel-like substance over the
wound, providing a moist healing environment and thermal insulation.
 The outer polyurethane layer seals and protects the wound from
bacteria, debris, and shearing.
 They prevent contamination, promote autolytic debridement, and do not
require a secondary dressing.
 They can remain in place for up to 7 days or until drainage is noted from
beneath the dressing. They are indicated for partial and full-thickness
wounds with low to moderate exudate, granular, or necrotic wounds,
minor burns, and pressure injuries. They cannot be used on infected
wounds. The adhesive can damage fragile periwound skin.

19.  Hydrophilic polysaccharide ( 50%-70%
water)
 Cooling & soothing effect
 Facilitates autolytic debridement
 Available in Amorphous gel, Sheets

20.  Can stay in place for 24 hours
 Indications: Dry, necrotic, mildly exuding
wounds, clean wounds, partial thickness
wounds
 Do not used for infected and heavily
exuding wounds

21.  Alginate dressing…… derived from algae & seaweed
 Composed of calcium alginate which exchanged with
sodium from wound fluid and turns dressing into a gel that
maintains a moist wound environment
 Absorbent (20 times to weight)
 Sheets, strips, lose fiber packs
 Moist the wound
 Stay for 24- 72 hrs
 Indicated for wound needs large amount of drainage

23.  Adherent silicone layer that provides
excellent bonding to the skin.
 Hydrophilic polyurethane foam with high
absorption capacity.
 Transparent polyurethane film that acts as a
bacterial and viral barrier

25.  Deposit newly formed collagen in the wound bed
 Bind to Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPS)
 Used for Chronic Nonhealing Wounds

26. WOUND TYPE DRESSING TYPE
Clean medium-to
high exudate
(epithelialising)
•Paraffin gauze
•Knitted
viscose primary dressing.
Clean, dry,
low exudate (epithelialis
ing)
•Absorbent perforated
plastic film-faced dressing
•Vapour-permeable
adhesive film dressing

27. Clean, exudating
(granulating).
•Hydrocolloids
•Foams
•Alginates
Slough-covered. •Hydrocolloids
•Hydrogels
Dry, necrotic. •Hydrocolloids
•Hydrogels

28.  Maceration (sogginess) of surrounding skin (change
dressing frequently and use a more absorbent dressing).
 Irritant contact dermatitis (protect skin
with emollient or barrier film).
 Allergic contact dermatitis (uncommon: change dressing
type, apply topical steroids).

30.  Wet wrap therapy is a treatment where you
put wet dressings to your skin to rehydrate
and soothe it.
 Wet wrap therapy is best for people that have
moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, chronic
eczema, erythroderma

31.  Wet wraps work via three different ways:
 Cooling – as water gradually evaporates from the bandages this cools the skin and
helps relieve inflammation, itching and soreness.
 Moisturizing – emollients covered over with wet bandages are deeply absorbed into the
skin to provide a longer lasting moisturizing effect.
 Steroid absorption – enhanced absorption of topical steroid molecules into both the
superficial and deeper layers of skin where inflammation is present.
 In addition, the bandages provide protection from the itching and scratching cycle so
that skin gets a chance to heal properly.

32.  There are different methods and bandages used for wet wrapping but the basic technique is as
follows.
 Depending on the area being treated the patient may first soak in a bath with bath oil
or emollient solution
 An emollient and/or steroid cream (as prescribed by the doctor) is liberally applied to the area
 Bandages (often a tubular bandage is used) soaked in warm water are wrapped or applied over
the top of the creams
 Dry bandages are placed over the top of the wet bandages to protect clothing
 Later on, the dry bandage may be removed and water sprayed on the underneath layer to keep it
damp, before reapplying the dry outer bandage.

35.  The benefits of wet wrapping include:
 Reduced itching and scratching
 Reduced redness and inflammation
 Skin rehydration
 Better skin healing process
 Reduced steroid usage once the condition is controlled
 Improved sleep

36.  As skin improves, taper off wet wrap frequency rather than stopping
abruptly.
 Moisturizers should be applied 3-4 times a day otherwise the skin will
become dry and itchy again.
 Wet dressings will dry after a few hours.
 Do not leave the dressings on dry (unless your child is sleeping) as dry
dressings can irritate the skin by causing it to become hot, dry and itchy.
 Use a spray bottle of warm water to moisten bandages.
 Crepe bandages used for wet dressings may be washed in the washing
machine
 Do not wash or reuse the disposable towels.
 Do not use antiseptic bath oils in the wet dressings as these may irritate
and burn your child’s skin.

37.  Cool compressing is a wet dressing for the face.
 Wet disposable towels in a bowl of cool water and
bath oil.
 Hold the towels on to the face for 5–10 minutes.
 Apply moisturizer immediately after
compressing.
 Cool compressing should be applied as often as
needed until the itch is relieved

38.  You can make wet wraps yourself.
 For the wet dressing, you can use a roll of gauze or
white cotton clothing like long underwear or a onesie.
If it’s on your hands or feet, try cotton gloves or
socks.
 For the dry layer, try pajamas or a sweat suit. For
smaller areas, like your hands or feet, use plastic
wrap or vinyl gloves.
 You can also try special clothing made just for wet
wrap therapy. It’s more expensive but can save you
time and energy.