One of the most helpful life skills involves knowing how to dress and protect a wound after you suffer an abrasion, laceration, or other vulnerable skin injuries. Of course, part of the task includes selecting the right dressing for your wound, which we’d like to cover in this post.
Six Wound Dressing Types
The dressing you need to address your wound will depend on whether you’ve sustained a burn, bruise, or cut. Each injury has different precautionary needs and you’ll want to follow your doctor’s assistance if you’re reading this as a patient. The following wound dressing types can protect a healing wound while minimizing the risk for infection or other complications.
- Paper Surgical Tape
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- Paper tape is non-woven, easy to cut, and simple to use. So, it’s a go-to option for medical facilities when there’s something like a minor burn or laceration.
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- Transparent Surgical Tape
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- Transparent tape is a similar non-woven product that doesn’t cling too tightly to the skin. It’s optimal for wound care whenever you need to monitor the condition as it heals.
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- Transparent Film Dressing
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- This flexible dressing often works in conjunction with other materials like the other surgical tapes. Since it doesn’t tear or move around a lot with skin flexion, it works great for areas of the body that are harder to immobilize (hands, fingers, and so forth).
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- Silicone Foam Dressing
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- Silicone foam dressing has an absorption element whenever the wound site involves exposure to bodily fluids. This is another product that’s easy to cut and apply, and it lasts a long time before requiring replacement.
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- Hydrocolloid Dressing
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- The purpose of hydrocolloid dressing is to permit a moist environment for the safe passing of body fluids and exudate. It’s also flexible and utilizes a four-sided border to hold it in place with an airtight seal.
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- Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing
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- Calcium alginate is another alternative if you need something transparent for convenient wound monitoring. The alginate gel is rather flexible and easy to apply.
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These are some of the most common wound dressing materials you’ll find in clinics, hospitals, and sometimes available OTC. As long as you follow the basic steps for cleaning and bandaging your wounds, these items should keep your cut or bruise safe from further injury or infection.
You can learn more about wound care products and how to use them by working with our professionals at Sarasota Medical Products. We offer safe solutions for skin/wound care, ostomy care, and more for medical service providers and patients alike. Contact us anytime for all inquiries at 941-377-1451.