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