DRESSING AND BANDAGESMAPEH (HEALTH)Dressing

The following is only meant to explain the typical use of each type of medical dressing. Always consult a physician when treating any type of serious or chronic wound, or any wound that you are unsure about.

Calcium Alginate is for moderate to heavy wounds, because of their superior absorption ability. For lighter wounds, try a thinner, less heavy dressing.

Charcoal Dressings are primarily used for odor control. They usually require cover dressing or tape to secure it in place.

Collagen Would are used for several different types of wounds including: burns, pressure ulcers, scrapes, cuts.

Composite Dressings can be used on anything from light to heavy wounds. Use extra caution if the patient has dehydrated or sensitive skin. Consult with the manufacturer to make sure that the dressing can be used on infected wounds. The skin around the wound must be intact if the dressing has an adhesive border.

Compression Dressings are used to control swelling and promote circulation. Particularly useful for diabetic patients and people with poor circulation.

Enzymatic Debriders are used for wounds that have necrotic (dead) tissue that won't easily slough off. Depending on the size of the wound, you may want to have a secondary dressing to catch excess drainage.

Foam Dressings are for first and second degree burns, skin tears, pressure ulcers, and abrasions and other moderate to heavy draining wounds.

Hydrocolloid Dressings can be used for light to moderate acute and chronic wounds. If monitoring the wound is important, make sure that the dressing is transparent. Do not use a hydrocolloid if the skin surrounding the wound is infected.

Hydrogels are used for burns (including those caused by radiation) skins tears, surgical wounds, and pressure ulcers. Because of the high water content in hydrogels, this type of dressing is used for wounds with small to moderate amounts of drainage.

Silicone Gel Sheeting prevents the formation of excessive scar tissue, sometimes called keloids. Silicone gel sheeting does this by preventing moisture from entering the scar area. If the moisture at the scar area is reduced, then there is less blood flow, and consequently less collagen, at the scar area.

Transparent Dressings are for light wounds and blisters. They are also useful for viewing the wound without exposing it to bacteria.

Bandages

Thesebandagescome in large varieties and often are used depending upon the type and intensity of wound and also the site of injury. This article gives you a detailed overview on different types ofbandagesand their utility:

Roller Bandages are made up of muslin cloth and are so designed so they can stretch to a small extent. Due to this it gets well adjusted to the shape of the injured part and contours, keeping the dressing right at its place.

Adhesive Tapes or Bandages bandagesare used for supporting weakened joints of body such as knees or ankles. It is also helpful in providing support to joints for short term and can be used in the recovery of sports or occupational injury during rehabilitation process.

Gauze Pads and Rolls are available in the market in various lengths, width and sizes. These have the ability to hold the injury after it is dressed.

TriangularBandages are more commonly used to secure the dressing at one place, especially when the dressing is large.

Suspensory Bandages are bandageofelasticfabricapplied to uplift a dependant part (As the scrotum or pendulous breast)

Gauze Bandageswith plaster cast material are a bleached cotton cloth of plain weaves used for bandages and dressing.

Four-tailed Bandages are bandages that bandageconsistingofastripofcloth split intwoonbothends thecentralpartisplacedunderthechintorestrictmotionoftheMandibleandthetailsare tied over the top of the head.

Elastic Bandages are bandages containingstretchablematerialthatcanapplylocalpressure.

TubularBandagesare especially meant for dressing on injured joints and fingers. These are specially produced with seamless tubular fabric.

Submitted by: Ericka Zoe B. ManuelSubmitted to: Teacher JC Condol