Dry Wound Dressing Change
For wounds that need this particularly wounds that need to be debrided sometimes providers will use wet to dry dressings.
Dry wound dressing change. If a wound is too dry it can create scab and eventually scar when it is healed. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel. But when a wound is too wet it can cause infection or a wound that won t stop to weep. With this type of dressing a wet or moist gauze dressing is put on your wound and allowed to dry.
Change the dressing times a day until your doctor tells you to stop. So it is always best when a wound is kept at its balanced moist level. When it dries it collects debris from within the wound and keeps it clean. Check the wound for increased redness swelling or a bad odor.
In some cases you can even rinse the wound while showering. The wet to dry technique begins when the clinician applies gauze moistened with sterile saline or water to the wound bed. Cover with secondary dressing. Wound drainage and dead tissue can be removed when you take off the old dressing.
Use dressing securement techniques that ensure longer wear time of the dressing selecting products that are gentle to skin for removal. In order for a wound to heal it has to be balance between its fluid level and dryness as well. Keep the dressing clean and dry. Keeping the wound area moist is very important in certain types of wound care.
The gel should be approximately 1 4 to 1 2 inch thick across the wound. Wet to dry dressings are a non selective form of mechanical debridement which is a method of removing non viable tissue from the wound. 8 x trustworthy source medlineplus collection of medical information sourced from the us national library of medicine go to source. Refer to application of wet to dry dressing or application of hydrocolloid dressing procedures.
If the wound is on an arm or a leg skip step 6. Follow any instructions you are given on how to change the dressing. Wet to dry dressing is a time tested method for treating wounds. Apply new hydrogel dressing or hydrogel.
The most common cloth to use is clean. If your dressing sticks to your wound bed pour a little saline solution over the area to help it come off without pain. The wound can then close around the cloth. Place a dry cover sponge over the moistened dressing.
Pay attention to the color and amount of drainage from your wound. Look for drainage that has become darker or thicker. Your health care provider has covered your wound with a wet to dry dressing. Moisture that stays on the wound can stimulate the growth of bacteria and fungus causing the wound to become infected.
Rinse your wound with water. Do not rub it dry. If wound is large you may need to use abd. If the dressing gets wet change it.
If the dressing you have chosen adheres to the wound consider using a different dressing at the next dressing change.