Wound Dressings and Healing Choices

A collection of vocabulary terms regarding different types of wound dressings, their properties, indications, and the biological processes involved in wound healing.

Wound dressing

The biological, chemical, or physical material applied over top of a wound to assist in the healing process by limiting inflammation, preventing microbial overgrowth, and controlling exudate.

Just moist

The optimal environment for wound healing, compared by nurse Alyssa to the level of moisture found inside a person's cheek or eyeball.

Gauze and cloth dressings

The most common and readily available dressing materials that are cheap and accessible, but can become a source of infection if not changed at least every two days.

Granulation tissue

New tissue that may be lost if gauze dressing changes are made too frequently or if the dressing is removed without proper saturation.

Transparent dressings

Dressings composed of polyurethane material that permit the free flow of oxygen and some moisture evaporation, suitable only for wounds with minimal exudate.

Autolytic debridement

A healing process aided by dressings such as transparent films, hydrocolloids, and alginates that helps remove dead tissue from the wound site.

Collagen dressings

Costly biological dressings for chronic or slow-healing wounds that promote cellular proliferation, new blood vessel growth, and removal of narcotic tissue.

Foam dressings

Non-occlusive, non-stick dressings used for burns and chronic venous ulcers to eliminate cavities and pockets while handling copious amounts of exudate.

Maceration

A condition likely to occurs if foam dressings are left on too long, causing the wound to go backwards and potentially open up larger.

Hydrogel dressings

Dressings used for painful narcotic wounds with minimal exudate that provide soothing relief and protection against infections but are unsuitable for weeping wounds.

Hydrocolloid dressings

Absorbent dressings created from organic materials like pectin that swell and absorb moisture to optimize healing in necrotic or chronic wounds.

Alginate dressings

Water-loving dressings derived from brown seaweed that provide rapid absorption for heavily exitating wounds and encourage autolytic debridement.

Epithelialization

The regrowth phase stimulated by certain dressing materials to result in faster healing of the wound.