Dressings & Skin Protection
By Mark Collier, Lead Nurse Consultant – Tissue Viability, United Lincolnshire Hospitals
The purpose of a dressing is to:
- Absorb any leakage from the wound
- Provide ideal conditions for healing
- Protect the area until the wound is healed
- Prevent stitches or clips catching on clothing.
Dressings
Type |
Description |
Example |
| Contact Dressing |
These are non/low-adhesive dressings which are placed directly onto the wound bed. They are primary dressings, which require a secondary dressing over the top as they can have limited absorbency. |
|
| Alginate Dressing |
These are highly absorbent dressings made from seaweed. They are a primary dressing and have a broad range of clinical uses, but in particular they are useful for absorbing moderate to heavy amounts of exudate and for filling sinuses and cavities. |
|
| Hydrogel |
Hydrogels are generally considered to be a very safe primary wound care product and are often used in combination with other secondary dressings to promote wound debridement through autolysis. Hydrogels come in different forms – some are impregnated within a dressing while others are in a tube. |
|
| Film Dressing |
Modern film dressings are sterile flexible sheets coated with a hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive on one side. Films can be used as a primary dressing as they will provide the necessary protection of the healing tissues and achieve the optimum environment for healing. They also allow for easy inspection of the wound surface without having to remove the dressing as they are transparent. |
|
| Foam Dressing |
Used as either a primary or secondary dressing , foams are often used for wounds with medium to high levels of exudate. They are usually made from polyurethane and come in many different sizes and types. Usually foams are available with an adhesive border, allowing them to stay in place for up to seven days. The ideal foam will maintain moisture in the wound, while absorbing excess exudate. |
|
| Hydrocolloid Dressing |
Hydrocolloid dressings are usually used on wounds producing low to medium levels of exudate. They work by dissolving into a gel upon contact with fluid. They are designed to maintain wound moisture, providing the best environment for healing. Similar to foams, they are usually available with an adhesive border and can stay in place for up to seven days. |
|
| Acrylic Dressing |
Acrylic dressings are a recent development and provide further benefits to patients. Similar to hydrocolloids, these dressings are designed for use on low to medium levels of exudate and again maintain the moisture balance in a wound. The dressings are transparent, which allows the wound to be seen without the need to remove them. This gives them a longer wear time – in some cases up to 20 days. |
Skin Protection
Type |
Description |
Example |
| Barrier Film |
A barrier film is used to protect the skin from damage caused by either adhesives from dressings, bodily fluids (including wound exudate, sweat, saliva, urine and faeces) or friction and can be applied to broken skin and intact skin. The film provides a waterproof coating, which acts in a similar way to a second skin. These can be applied by either an applicator or via a pump spray. |
|
| Barrier Cream |
A barrier cream is used to prevent skin from becoming sore and damaged from exposure to fluids. They are mostly used to prevent skin breakdown from incontinence but they can also be used to treat dry skin conditions. They provide protection by forming a waterproof layer on the surface of the skin. |
Wound Care Bandages
Type |
Description |
Example |
|
Compression Bandages |
Compression bandages are used to reduce oedema and improve blood flow in the venous system. There are many different types of bandage available, some are designed to work on their own and others are part of a bandage kit. Your clinician will make an assessment to see which bandage is the most appropriate. |
|
Support bandages |
Support bandages are used for wrapping around splints and securing other dressings in place. They can also be used post operatively to support soft tissue injuries and provide some light oedema control. There are many different types of support bandage available, some are designed to stick and stay in place, and others may need to be secured by tape. |
Wounds could be dressed by one or a combination of the above and the health
care professional will decide the best treatment for each patient and type
of wound.