AAPLMHY50

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

functional

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
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 care. 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 including

orthopedic

external fixation 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.


These dressings come in all shapes and sizes, from small coverings

for fingers to larger ones for wounds and

therapeutic patch

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.