Dry Cloths For Wounds
Repeat as often as necessary along with frequent self-assessment of the wound and the progress of healing. Always use a fresh cloth with each warm compress application. Wash the used compresses in hot water in your washing machine with your usual laundry detergent to prevent reinfection or passing along possible contamination to others. Wounds secreting pus or blood need to be cleaned first before drying and bandaging. Apply a dry cloth after the affected area has been cleaned thoroughly and hold it in place for a few minutes until pus secretion or bleeding stops. Coloplast InterDry Ag Silver Textile/Cloth Dressing Instructions: Wash skin gently. Pat dry, do not rub. With clean scissors, cut enough fabric to cover the affected area, allowing for a minimum of 2 inches to extend beyond the skin fold for moisture evaporation. Lay a single layer of fabric in the skin fold, placing one edge into the base of. Clothes feel warm but don't fully dry. You put a load in the dryer, start it and walk away. You return after the cycle finishes, only to find the clothes aren't completely dry. Due to the coronavirus outbreak worldwide, global demand for some personal protective equipment (PPE) is exceeding supply. In addition, manufacturing of PPE and many other wound care and infection prevention products have been impacted by global response to coronavirus.
12 Sep 20177 Types Of Wound Dressings & When To Use Each
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.
2. Hydrogel
How To Dry Out Wound
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wound Dry Powder
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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Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020.
- Care Notes
- Aftercare Instructions
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria. Cellulitis may go away on its own or you may need treatment. Your healthcare provider may draw a circle around the outside edges of your cellulitis. If your cellulitis spreads, your healthcare provider will see it outside of the circle.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call 911 if:
- You have sudden trouble breathing or chest pain.
Return to the emergency department if:
- Your wound gets larger and more painful.
- You feel a crackling under your skin when you touch it.
- You have purple dots or bumps on your skin, or you see bleeding under your skin.
- You have new swelling and pain in your legs.
- The red, warm, swollen area gets larger.
- You see red streaks coming from the infected area.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever.
- Your fever or pain does not go away or gets worse.
- The area does not get smaller after 2 days of antibiotics.
- Your skin is flaking or peeling off.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics help treat the bacterial infection.
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions. Do not give these medicines to children under 6 months of age without direction from your child's healthcare provider.
- Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever. It is available without a doctor's order. Ask how much to take and how often to take it. Follow directions. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly. Do not use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of acetaminophen in one day.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him or her if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Self-care:
- Elevate the area above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop the area on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
- Clean the area daily until the wound scabs over. Gently wash the area with soap and water. Pat dry. Use dressings as directed.
- Place cool or warm, wet cloths on the area as directed. Use clean cloths and clean water. Leave it on the area until the cloth is room temperature. Pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth. The cloths may help decrease pain.
Prevent cellulitis:
- Do not scratch bug bites or areas of injury. You increase your risk for cellulitis by scratching these areas.
- Do not share personal items, such as towels, clothing, and razors.
- Clean exercise equipment with germ-killing cleaner before and after you use it.
- Wash your hands often. Use soap and water. Wash your hands after you use the bathroom, change a child's diapers, or sneeze. Wash your hands before you prepare or eat food. Use lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin.
- Wear pressure stockings as directed. You may be told to wear the stockings if you have peripheral edema. The stockings improve blood flow and decrease swelling.
- Treat athlete's foot. This can help prevent the spread of a bacterial skin infection.
Follow up with your healthcare provider within 3 days, or as directed:
Your healthcare provider will check if your cellulitis is getting better. You may need different medicine. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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