Wounds can occur at any time and any place. However, the wound must be cleaned and treated properly. Wounds can be of any type, from a simple cut to a surgical wound to an infected wound. The dressing and product choice are determined by the degree of tissue damage, infection, and wound size.
To avoid further tissue damage and future consequences, wounds should be treated as soon as possible. And the correct wound care products and dressings are essential for this decision. There are several types out there in the market and having clarity on their types is crucial for better wound dressing and the healing process.
Choosing The Dressing And Product
Few things to keep in mind while choosing wound care products are:
Brand: A brand is one of the things that can make a significant difference. There are plenty, but one should choose based on their quality and reputation and the certification of the company.
Size: Now, wounds vary in size, which should be taken into account. It is critical to consider the wound and peri-wound area while selecting a dressing type. Periwound should be covered too to avoid any infection and maceration.
Thickness: Depending on the amount of dead space, wound care products should be full or partial thickness. The injury's dead space should be wrapped in such a way that there is some space but not too much.
Drainage: Now, it is crucial to keep the wound covered at optimum temperature. And that means avoiding a continuous change of dressing. As a result, if there is a lot of drainage, a higher absorbent substance should be chosen.
Body part: The wound may be in regions that are difficult to wrap in a dressing at times. As a result, careful selection is required to ensure that the space is bulked up and comfy.
Types of Wound Dressing and Products
There are many different forms of wound dressings. Simple ones are used for minor injuries, while more complex ones are used for deeper wounds and infections. The following are some of the most often used wound care products:
Hydrogel Dressing
Hydrogel dressing are easy to apply and are commonly used for painful wounds and ulcers. They contain a cooling ingredient that aids in the reduction of pain and burning in wounds. These dressings are most effective in wounds that are low in drainage. Necrotic wounds, pressure ulcers, infected wounds, second-degree burns, and donor sites are the most common uses.
Hydrocolloid Dressing
These biodegradable wound care products are non-breathable, non-permeable to microbes and have self-adhesive. They are highly useful for wounds that draining and requires moist conditions to get healed. A polysaccharide coating on the dressing transforms water into a gel and keeps the wound clean. These can help with pressure ulcers and infected wounds.
Foam
Foam dressing is helpful in wounds that require a moist environment to heal. The foam helps in absorbing the drainage from the wound and keeps the area clean. Also, foam absorbs the smell from the wound.
Collagen
Collagen dressings are highly effective for wounds that require maximum healing. The dressing allows the cells to grow faster, grow blood vessels, remove any dead cells from the area and bring the edges of the wound together. Stalled wounds, chronic wounds, larger surface area injuries, pressure sores, surgical wounds, and transplant sites all benefit from this form of wound care products.
Alginate
Alginate dressing is for high-pressure ulcers and venous ulcers that have a higher amount of liquid drainage. The alginate dressing absorbs the fluids and converts it to gel, allowing the wound to heal faster. Due to their strong absorption power, they will not need to be replaced as frequently.
Conclusion
The correct dressing type for a certain wound might speed up the healing process. To properly manage wounds, one should choose high-quality dressings.