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Wound dressings are an important part of wound care, which should not be missing in any household or health facility. Choosing the right wound dressing is crucial for quick healing and the prevention of infections.

What are wound dressings?

Wound dressings are made from materials that are applied directly to the wound to absorb blood and wound exudate and protect the wound from bacteria and external irritants. This supports quick healing and prevents infection.

Types of wound dressings

The different types of wound dressings are designed for the specific properties of different wounds. Depending on the wound and requirements, choose the appropriate dressing.

• Sterile care: For sterile care of large and small wounds as well as postoperative wound care, a wound dressing is suitable. It is self-adhesive and well tolerated by sensitive skin.
• High flexibility: Elastic wound dressings allow for high flexibility and a good wearing comfort. They are particularly suitable for use on joints. Elastic wound dressings optimally protect wounds and allow limbs to move flexibly.
• Waterproof: A waterproof wound dressing protects the wound not only from external influences such as dust and dirt but also from bacteria in water. This allows everyday activities like showering and bathing to be carried out without risk.
• For more severe wounds: For moderate to severe wounds, a wound dressing with a high absorption function is suitable to quickly and effectively absorb large amounts of wound exudate. This saves you from frequently changing small dressings. The sterile wound dressing from Hartmann ensures a strong hold with high absorbency.
• For large wounds: The Hartmann Cosmopor silicone is particularly suitable for covering large wounds.
• Additional fixation: Special transparent dressings, such as the Tegaderm Film 3M Transparent Dressings, provide extra fixation of the wound dressing and additionally allow continuous wound observation.

Use of wound dressings in the medical field

In medical care, a wide range of different wound dressings is needed to optimally care for the most diverse wounds. When using intravenous cannulas, it is advisable to use cannula fixation plasters and – bandages to use. Proper fixation of a cannula increases patient comfort as it prevents slipping and thus facilitates the care process. For an effortless dressing change, the use of wound contact layers such as ointment compresses is suitable, as they do not stick to the wounds and therefore do not adhere. A special plaster with a transparent window allows continuous observation of the wound without having to change the wound dressing. In summary, it can be stated that all these products lead to rapid healing of a wound and significantly facilitate patient care.

Step-by-step instructions for application:

1. Clean hands:

Before coming into contact with the wound, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, disinfect them, and if necessary, put on disposable gloves .

2. Wound cleaning:

Before you can apply the wound dressing, the wound must be properly cleaned to remove foreign objects and prevent infection.

3. Choose the appropriate wound dressing

Selecting the right wound dressing is crucial, as there are different types and sizes of wounds and different areas where they can occur. Choose the appropriate wound dressing for your needs or those of your patient.

4. Apply wound dressing

Ensure that the wound dressing covers the entire wound and that you do not touch the sterile side of the dressing with your hands. If the area is additionally secured with a bandage, make sure it is not too tight to avoid impairing circulation.

Additional considerations

The wound dressing must be changed regularly. Follow the instructions on the packaging and the doctor's advice. When coming into contact with the wound, for example, when changing the dressing or cleaning the wound, always maintain good hand hygiene to prevent contamination. Also, avoid unnecessarily touching the wound dressing, as this can lead to irritation of the wound.

Conclusion on wound dressings

Wound dressings are indispensable products that should not be missing in any household or medical facility. By selecting the right wound dressing and applying it correctly, you promote fast and uncomplicated healing. You can find more products for wound care and everything related to health at Altruan.