Utilizing the proper dressing is crucial to wound healing as it ensures a quick recovery. The are various factors that determine the type of wound dressing to use. For instance, some injuries may result in wounds, and the size, location, and severity of the wound will determine what kind of wound-healing material to use. As a precaution, it is recommended to establish a wound management plan by a trained clinician. Once we have an orderly treatment plan, we can quickly move to the material selection.
Among the wound dressings we offer at Sky Medical Supplies, there are various options for treating the types of wounds we have. A hydrogel and hydrocolloid to alginate dressings, foam dressing, bordered foam dressing, iland dressing, and the use of steri-strips are some of the options available to us.
Below is a guide that will help you decide what wound dressing will work best for your injury. It explains how to choose and apply each of the seven most common wound dressings.
- Use of Hydrocolloid
A hydrocolloid dressing can be applied to burns, leaky wounds, necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, and venous ulcers. It is a dressing that is non-breathable and self-adhesive. It does not require taping. The elastic material used in their construction allows them to be worn comfortably even by people with sensitive skin types.
To work, these dressings create moist conditions which promote wound healing. This coating is made up of polysaccharides. Also, some polymers absorb water and form gels that keep wounds clean, protect them from infection, and speed healing.
Some polymers absorb
Hydrocolloid dressings render wounds impervious to bacteria, which explains their effectiveness in preventing infections. Moreover, the products are long-lasting, biodegradable, and easy to use.
- Use of Hydrogel
A wound that contains little or no fluid and has little or no swelling, a painful or necrotic wound, or an injury that has a pressure ulcer or is a donor site can be treated with Hydrogel. Furthermore, Hydrogel can treat wounds and burns that are second-degree or infected.
Hydrogel dressings help reduce pain and promote healing while reducing infection risks and promoting patient comfort. The cooling gel in Burn Soothe products is responsible for their effectiveness in reducing pain and facilitating healing.
- Use of Alginate
With an alginate dressing, wounds with high blood flow, venous ulcers, packing wounds, and pressure ulcers with a higher state of sensitivity can be effectively protected. Condiments such as these work by absorbing excess liquid and creating a gel, which speeds up the wound or burns to heal. These dressings contain sodium and seaweed fibers, allowing them to absorb large amounts of fluid and allowing them to be biodegradable after use.
A wound dressing must be changed every two days, sometimes even more frequently, due to its ability to absorb liquid and its nature. If the dressing is changed too often, it can cause too much dryness or lead to bacteria infiltrating the wound. In general, these should only be used when an injury is wet and liquid drainage is high; otherwise, they can inhibit healing by drying out the wound too quickly.
- Use of Collagen
Dressings made of collagen have many uses, including chronic wound treatment, stalled wound treatment, pressure sores, transplant sites, surgical wounds, ulcers, burns, or a wide range of injuries. They can be highly effective in healing wounds because they act as scaffolding for new cells to grow.
Collagen dressings can assist in healing wounds in many ways. In addition to removing dead tissue, it increases blood vessel growth and helps to bring wound edges together, which usually speeds up the healing process.
- Use of Foam
Foam dressings like Allevyn Heel Wound Dressings are excellent for wounds of various severity levels, as well as for injuries that have an unpleasant odor. Exudates from wounds are absorbed by foam dressings, creating a healing environment that promotes healing.
Water vapor is allowed to enter, keeping the wound moist, thus promoting faster healing. However, the dressing also prevents bacteria from entering the wound. In addition to their different sizes and shapes, these dressings are offered both in adhesive and non-adhesive versions.
Other wound dressing products
The following products are also used for wound dressings:
Gauze Sponges
Sponge gauze is a versatile and important wound care supply. A sponge such as this can serve as a sterile barrier to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering a wound during the dressing process. on top of that wounds are covered with foam, and dressing is prevented surface damage. The sponges in the wound cover material have the potential to shield the open area on the skin from unintentional rubbing and damage to it.
Medical Tape
Bandages placed over wounds or surgical sites are stabilized and secured with medical tape. A soft cloth surgical tape is a hypoallergenic, conformable tape and provides stronger adhesion for challenging applications. moreover, it is non-woven polyester making it soft and gentle when it binds to the skin, with minimal skin irritation. such surgical tapes come in handy for post-operative wounds, tubing, and catheters.
Why choose 3M Medipore Soft Cloth Tape?
Non-Woven Sponges
Non-woven sponges are made from cotton, polyester, and rayon fibers tightly pressed. Compared to woven sponges, they are thicker and more durable, making them ideal for wound dressing. When non-woven sponges are removed, they leave little lint behind, making them an excellent option for packing wounds and promoting optimal healing.
Alcohol Pads
Alcohol pads, individually packaged and sealed, clean and prepare the skin for injections. Many wounds may need to be treated with shots or undergo surgical procedures involving incisions. After an injury or laceration, alcohol pads help prevent the spread of bacteria to the body.
Earloop Face Masks
Disposable face masks can protect both patients and health care professionals since they have been stabilized, easy to use, and secure over the years. These masks protect patients from airborne pathogens and bacteria that can infect and worsen their conditions.
Bandages and Dressings
Appropriately dressing wounds is likely to promote healing and protect the area from germs. It is crucial for medical professionals to stock various bandages and dressings no matter what type, size, or severity of the wound they are trying to treat.
Suture Removal Kits
Sutures may be used to close many wounds, but they must be removed once the wound has fully healed. In suture removal kits, instruments, such as metal Littauer scissors, forceps, and gauze, are pre-packaged and sterile.
Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are similar to using face masks to protect healthcare professionals. While treating an injured patient, medical professionals should wear gloves to protect them from any bacteria that might get into their wounds. As well as from any viruses or infections present in the patient's blood or body fluids.
Final thoughts
Supplies used in wound care are intended to protect patients and promote rapid healing in cases where they've been injured or undergone surgery. Medical professionals need to have ready access to all the supplies they need to treat a wide range of wound types and scenarios, like gauze and bandages for wounds.