Wound Care Dressing Products & Supplies

Before you bandage any minor wounds, clean them with water. You can clean the skin around the wound with a soft washcloth and soap but ensure that soap doesn’t get inside the open wound. To stop the bleeding gently press down on the wound with a soft cloth or a gauze sponge. When the bleeding settles, cover with a gauze pad slightly larger than the wound. Apply a medicated ointment to the gauze pad first to disinfect the wound and help it heal. Apply surgical tape all around the gauze pad to keep it in place. This also prevents the wound from becoming infected. Use rolled gauze to bandage over the wound area. However, don’t roll the bandage too tight as it can restrict blood flow and slow the healing process. Change the gauze and bandage every day to keep the wound clean and dry.

Hydrogel dressing is a gel base compound comprised of 90% water. It helps to keep the wound moist and prevents the wound from getting infected. A moist environment facilitates the healing process by preventing dehydration. Besides efficient healing, the cool gel in the dressing can decrease wound pain for at least 6 hours. The hydrating qualities of the gel also reduce the discomfort sometimes associated with changing the dressing; As hydrogel dressings do not stick to the wound and can easily be changed daily.

A hydrogel dressing should not be confused with a hydrocolloid dressing, although both types of dressings provide moisture to the wound. A hydrocolloid dressing is sometimes used to hold a hydrogel dressing in place and keep the wound closed.

Hydrogel dressings can be used for many types of wounds, such as minor burns, painful wounds, and wounds with radiation skin damage. When applied to dry or dehydrated wounds, including wounds with dead tissue present on them, a hydrogel dressing keeps the wound clean. This type of dressing is ideal for partial or full-thickness wounds, abrasions, severe scrapes, and wounds with granulated tissue damage. You can also apply a hydrogel dressing on infected wounds as it can be paired with topical medications, disinfectants and antimicrobial salves. However, it should not be used for wounds with a lot of discharge. It is best to use a foam dressing for wounds with moderate discharge.

Gauze is permeable and allows the air to flow in and out. But gauze also sticks to the wound and makes it difficult to change the dressing. To prevent the gauze from sticking to the wound, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the surface of the gauze. Ointments or creams applied to the gauze to disinfect and heal the wound will also prevent the gauze from sticking to the wound.

Before removing gauze from a wound, it is important to wash your hands with soap and warm water. You can also wear gloves to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the wound.

To remove the gauze, carefully and gently move in the direction of your hair growth. If you notice that the gauze is stuck to the wound or the scab, then stop immediately. Apply plain water or a saline solution to soak the gauze covering the wound. Soak for a few minutes and then try to remove the gauze. If the gauze is still stuck, you may need to continue soaking and working to remove the dressing. Once removed, pat dry the affected area with a clean towel and allow to air dry before putting another dressing.