| Product Model | Brand | View Best Price |
| #1: MEDIHONEY Wound and Burn Dressings | Cardinal Health at Home | View Price |
| #2: Stretch Net Tubular Elastic Dressing | Performance Health | View Price |
| #2: Stretch Net Tubular Elastic Dressing | Performance Health | View Price |
| #2: Stretch Net Tubular Elastic Dressing | Performance Health | View Price |
| #5: EXU-Dry Dressing with Anti-Shear Layer | Cardinal Health at Home | View Price |
Whether small or large, any open wound must be covered in order to keep out infection-causing bacteria and dirt. Wound dressings are medical tools that are used to cover a wound site, this can include actual bandages, adhesives, and other devices and products that are designed to keep wounds closed, protected, and secure.
Wound dressings may be as small as the band-aid you are familiar with, or as large as a sterile covering for a wound or burn to an entire limb. Wound dressings are designed to meet the needs of wounds ranging from minor to severe, and to cover both very small areas and very large areas of the body.
Believe it or not, selecting the best wound dressing for a given injury or skin condition can involve quite a few considerations. Since research shows that improper protection and the subsequent bacterial growth it can cause makes a wound more likely to become chronic, it is crucial to make the best selection of wound dressing initially.
The first consideration is the wound itself. How severe is it? Is it a puncture, an abrasion, a laceration, or a deep opening in the tissue? Is the wound draining or dry? Is there raised scar tissue involved? Is this a chronic wound, or one related to a single event, like an accident?
Another consideration in selecting a wound dressing is the health of the patient themselves. Do they have circulation or vascular complications that would mean the tightness of a dressing could be an issue? Is their skin easily irritated, or are they allergic to latex? Are there behavioral issues related to the patient being able to keep the dressing on and undisturbed?
Once all of these are variables are factored in, the best selection of wound dressing can be made in terms of size, material, adhesive vs. non-adhesive, and other considerations that will let the dressing do its job effectively.
In general, a well-chosen wound dressing should absorb any moisture seeping from the wound, should not adhere to the wound, and should protect the wound completely from anything that could infect it during healing.
Adhesive bandages are used for smaller and more minor skin injuries. They have an absorbent pad, and adhere to the skin with a cloth or latex strip (cloth has become available with the rise in latex allergies). Butterfly-shaped bandages are available for knuckles, allowing the bandage to flex with the joint and stay in place. Adhesive bandages may be pre-treated with an antibiotic gel that further prevents bacteria from growing in the wound.
Sterile gauze comes in sealed packages is available in various sizes, and can be held in place with surgical tape, or with a variety of sleeves and other elastic devices made of non-latex stretch net that is comfortable and non-irritating.
Aside from the dressing itself, natural ingredients can be added that achieve specific purposes.
Honey is a well-known natural antibacterial agent. It also debrides wounds naturally, meaning it helps remove dead tissue that, if allowed to remain, encourages the growth of infection-causing bacteria.
Silver has long been used as a natural antibacterial treatment of wounds. It can be used in cream or ointment form, usually containing a silver-antibiotic compound called silver sulfadiazine.
Dressings called alginates are manufactured from seaweed and algae. Sometimes the dressing is made so that it will disintegrate as it contacts the wound, depositing its natural antibacterial compounds.
A burn is a wound that requires specialized care. Often, burns cover extensive areas of skin, and dressings need to remain in place for days or weeks. Wound dressings for burns often contain honey or silver, which are healing agents, and are made from gel or silicone foam that does not adhere, and cushions for extra pain relief.
Decubitus ulcers (pressure sores) are another kind of wound that requires specialized care. These ulcers can develop from spending an extended period of time in bed, and/or from the skin rubbing and shearing (stretching) when a patient moves.
For this type of wound, a dressing that is cushioned for pain relief, absorbs the moisture that seeps from an ulcer, and is easy to remove without adhering to the wound, are all needed. Often, antimicrobial silver will be included, to speed healing of these difficult-to-heal sores.
