How to choose the right dressing

Find the right dressing for every wound type

🔹 Basic & Protective Dressings

  • Gauze (pads, rolls, sponges)
    ✔ General use, cleaning, light drainage
    ✖ May stick to wound
  • Non-Adherent Dressings
    ✔ Skin tears, scrapes, donor sites
    ✔ Won’t stick to wound
    ✖ Limited absorbency

🔹 Absorbent Dressings

  • Foam Dressings
    ✔ Pressure ulcers, venous ulcers
    ✔ Cushions and absorbs
    ✖ Not for dry wounds
  • Alginate Dressings
    ✔ Heavy drainage, bleeding wounds
    ✔ Absorbs fluid & helps stop bleeding
    ✖ Needs secondary dressing
  • Hydrofiber Dressings
    ✔ Heavy drainage, infected wounds
    ✔ Locks in fluid, reduces leakage
    ✖ Needs cover dressing

🔹 Moisture-Retentive Dressings

  • Hydrocolloid Dressings
    ✔ Shallow wounds, low-to-moderate drainage
    ✔ Long wear time, self-debridement
    ✖ Not for infection or heavy exudate
  • Hydrogel Dressings
    ✔ Burns, dry wounds, necrotic tissue
    ✔ Soothing and hydrating
    ✖ Limited absorbency

🔹 Advanced & Specialty Dressings

  • Transparent Film Dressings
    ✔ Superficial wounds, IV sites
    ✔ Waterproof & see-through
    ✖ No absorption
  • Collagen Dressings
    ✔ Chronic wounds, stalled healing
    ✔ Stimulates tissue repair
    ✖ Costly
  • Antimicrobial Dressings
    ✔ Infected wounds or high infection risk
    ✔ Fights bacteria
    ✖ Possible sensitivity, higher cost
  • Composite Dressings
    ✔ Mixed drainage or complex wounds
    ✔ All-in-one solution
    ✖ More expensive
  • Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT / wound vac)
    ✔ Large, deep, chronic wounds
    ✔ Speeds healing & removes exudate
    ✖ Requires special equipment

🧭 Quick Guide: How to Choose

✅ Dry wound → Hydrogel or Hydrocolloid
✅ Heavy drainage → Foam, Alginate, Hydrofiber
✅ Infected wound → Antimicrobial dressing
✅ Bleeding wound → Alginate
✅ Minor cut or scrape → Gauze or Non-adherent

⚠️ Always consult a healthcare professional for wound care advice. This guide is for educational purposes only.