Whether you are treating a minor cut or a chronic wound, using the right wound care products can help promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to know which products to choose.
Here are some tips on how to choose home wound care products that will help you or your loved ones heal quickly and safely - by Remeds' wound care specialists.
Home Wound Care Step 1: Wound Cleaning
Irrigation Solutions & Antiseptic Solutions 1. Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride Solution)
Normal saline solution is the most commonly-used cleaning agent, used to clean the dirt and residual medicine on the wound.
Normal saline solution has a concentration similar to that of human body fluids, hence it does not irritate wound tissue and causes less pain.
Applicable to most of wounds that are generally free of bacterial infection.
Use within 24 hours after opening to ensure that no bacteria can grow inside.
2. Sterile Water for Irrigations
Sterile water is a commonly used cleaning agent, used to clean the dirt and residual medicine on the wound.
Unlike normal saline, it does not contain salt, hence prolonged contact with the wound may increase wound secretions.
Applicable to wounds that are generally free of bacterial infection.
Use within 24 hours after opening to ensure that no bacteria can grow inside.
3. Chlorhexidine Glucconate
Chlrohexidine Gluconate is antiseptic solution, commonly used to rinse traumatic wounds, especially wounds with bacterial infection.
Irritant, use with caution if in contact with eyes.
Suitable for children, pregnant women, and other special groups who cannot use yellow syrup (Iodine) and alcohol disinfection.
Important to know:
Rinse the wound with normal saline or a clean water source first, and then rinse the wound with chlorhexidine gluconate solution. Then rinse with saline again to make sure no chlorhexidine gluconate solution remains on the wound.
Use within 24 hours after opening
4. Acriflavine Lotion
Acriflavine lotion is an antiseptic lotion, suitable for relatively minor wounds.
It is usually used for closed wounds (wounds with skin attached), not suitable for use on open wounds.
Important to know:
As it is also yellowish-brown in color, it is often confused with Iodine. But it's of a different ingredient.
5. Povidone Iodine
Povidone-iodine solution is also an antiseptic lotion.
There are two common ways of using povidone-iodine:
As irrigation: Rinse the wound with povidone-iodine for antiseptic purposes, and then rinse with normal saline to make sure no solution remains on the wound.
As topical application: Apply it directly onto the wounds, especially wounds with bacterial infections.
Important to know:
Povidone-iodine is not suitable for burns.
Not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding, renal failure, and G6PD patients.
Use with caution in patients with thyroid disease and infants under 6 months of age.
Step 2: Wound Disinfection/Debridement
1. Hydrogels
It is used to moisten the wound, and at the same time soften the necrotic tissue (dead tissue) to achieve the effect of natural and painless wound debridement (autolytic debridement).
This is a very important function because if the dead tissue is not removed, the recovery of the wound will be slowed down.
Suitable for dry wounds or wounds with light discharge.
2. Antibiotic Cream/Ointment
Antibacterial cream or ointment are controlled drugs - consult your duty pharmacist for recommendations.
Used to inhibit the growth of bacteria, thereby preventing wound infection. You can find a variety of different creams/ointments in every Pharmacy.
Tips: if you find the wound sticking to the dressing material, you can apply a layer of antiseptic Ointment as a barrier for easier separation when changing the dressing.
How will I know if the wound is infected?
Is the wound difficult to heal?
Has the color of the wound changed?
Is the wound painful?
If you have any of the above symptoms, contact a nurse to assess your wound.
Step 3 : Wound Dressings
1. Gauze (Basic Dressing)
Gauze is the most common dressing used to clean wounds, debride wounds (mechanical debridement), absorb secretions, etc.
There are two common versions, made of different materials:
Non-Woven - Made of synthetic fibers, slightly less absorbent, but will not be "shedding". The grid is not so obvious, and the stitches are much denser in non-woven gauze.
Cotton-Woven - Made of cotton. The absorbency is better but cotton is easier to shed. The grid is obvious in cotton-woven gauze.
2. Gamgee (Composite Dressing)
More people know the name "Gamgee", the name of the doctor who invented the dressing.
Gamgee is a composite dressing which is made up of a thick layer of absorbent cotton wool between two layers of absorbent gauze.
The layers of gauze solve the problem of cotton shedding/sticking onto the wound, while the cotton provides high absorbency of wound exudates.
Used in highly exuding wounds.
Important to know:
Gamgee does not have any antibacterial effect, if there is a bacterial infection on the wound, it should be used together with other antibacterial products.
Gamgee is not self-adhesive - hence needs a bandage or protective film to keep it in place.
3. Hydrocolloids (Moisturizing Dressing)
Hydrocolloids dressings is sometimes called "artificial skin", it is mainly used on relatively shallow wounds.
It will absorb some wound exudates while keeping the wound moist and allowing the wound to heal.
Used in mild to moderate exudating wounds.
As it can reduce scars, sometimes it can also be used for acne!
It will stick to the wound, like a layer of skin, waterproof and the patient can go shower without being affected.
Important to know:
If there is a lot of wound exudate, it will become less adhesive, then it's time to change the dressing.
When in use, it should be cut slightly larger 2-3cm than the edge of the wound for better adhesion.
4. Paraffin Gauze Dressing (Oil Emulsion Wound Dressing)
Paraffin gauze dressing is non-adherent gauze mesh impregnated with white petrolatum in an oil emulsion blend. The oiliness is for the convenience of changing the dressing, and it is easy to separate from the skin, so as to protect the skin near the wound.
Usually, this is applied to the wound first, and then other dressings are added on top of it.
The dressing can be cut to the desired size.
The picture shows medicated (antibacterial) and non-medicated (non-antibacterial) oil emulsion dressings, which can be used according to the wound condition.
5. Antibacterial Dressing
There are various antibacterial dressings can be found in the market, including dressings containing silver, charcoal dressings, and biosynthetic dressings.
It is usually used on wounds that have or are at risk of bacterial infection.
It's just a thin layer of dressing, so it needs to be used with other dressings (eg. moisture control, adhesive).
Important to know:
Most of the ingredients are Silver Ion, to ensure antibacterial function, make sure there is no leakage in the packaging before using it.
6. Waterproof Dressing
Waterproof, transparent, like plastic dressing.
Often used on wounds that should be protected. It can be cut to fit the size to ensure that the underlying dressing can be firmly fixed on the skin!
After using it, you can take a shower with peace of mind!
7. Non-Woven Adhesive Wound Dressing
The cloth-like material has good air permeability, and at the same time allows the underlying dressing to be firmly fixed on the skin.
Compared with waterproof tape, it will be more comfortable, but it is not waterproof
In addition to being used for wounds, it can also be used to fix other medical appliances, eg. Ryles Tube
In short, how to choose your suitable wound care products or wound dressings? Here are some factors to consider when choosing wound care products:
Type of wound - Different wounds require different types of wound care products or dressings for effective wound management. For example, a dry wound will require a different type of dressing compared to an exudating wound to maintain optimal moist environment for wound healing.
Severity and depth of the wound - The severity of the wound will also determine the type of wound care product needed. For example, severe bedsores will require specialized wound care products such as hydrogel dressings to fill in the dead spaces and aid in the healing process.
3. Allergies or sensitivities - It is essential to consider any allergies or sensitivities the patient may have when choosing wound care products.
It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best wound care product for the specific wound type. Remeds' Wound Care Team is specialized in treating all kinds of wounds including chronic and non-healing wounds such as:
Bedsores / Pressure ulcers
Diabetic ulcers
Surgical wounds
Burn wounds
Arterial/ Venous ulcers
And other chronic non-healing wounds. Click to find out more >
WhatsApp us today or give us a call for a FREE consultation about our wound care service today to start receiving your personalized Wound Care treatment at your home by our skillful and experienced nurses.
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Remeds Wound Care Nurses are specialised in providing efficacious individualised wound care service at your doorstep!
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Content by: Pharmacist Tan Chan Wei
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