It's often a lot more comfortable and convenient for both patients and family members to care for someone with a chronic illness at home. In fact, such a method for healthcare is becoming increasingly popular as resources become more readily available to the public. That being said, the person providing the in-home care has a lot to learn, especially if the patient not only needs to be administered medication, but also has a chronic wound. Luckily, wound care technology has advanced significantly in recent years, so there are many options for all types of wounds. However, as the caregiver, you need to narrow down which products you should and shouldn't use.
Transparent Film Dressings
One type of wound dressing is the transparent film dressing, which is usually a clear polyurethane membrane with a somewhat porous adhesive surface that is best used on dry skin. These aren't absorbent dressings, so any discharge from a wound will accumulate beneath it, which could cause issues if not changed frequently enough. Thus, they're often used as secondary dressings and are particularly useful for when the patient needs to bathe.
Hydrocolloid Dressings
Hydrocolloid dressings, such as Duoderm, are self-adhering and form a gel, and thus, a moist environment, when the underside comes into contact with moisture. These dressings are ideal for wounds that don't produce much exudate and aren't infected. On drier wounds, they can be used for up to seven days.
Hydrogels
This type of wound dressing is, as implied, a gel that either comes in a tube or in sheets. These also help to create a moist environment under the seal. Thus, they're best for dry wounds as they can quickly hydrate the wound. Amorphous hydrogels need daily reapplication, but the sheet version can last 2-3 days.
Calcium Alginates
This type of wound dressing is highly absorbent, unlike the aforementioned types, as they are pads or ribbons made of fibers derived from seaweed. These wound dressings form a gel when they come into contact with wound fluid, so they can maintain a moist environment, and can be changed as necessary, depending on the amount exuded by the wound.
Hydrofibers
Hydrofiber wound dressings such as Aquacel AG are ideal for wounds that are moister and require draining, as they are highly absorbent. Like calcium alginates, they need to be monitored in order to determine the best time to change them. They come in ribbon form and can be packed into wounds for maximum absorbency.
Foams
Made from polyurethane, foam dressings may come with a film outer layer to prevent wound fluids from leaking through. There are different types of foams, depending on the type of wound you're dealing with; some provide moisture to a dry wound, and others are absorbent. Generally, there is a foam dressing for any type of wound and they may be used as either the primary or secondary form of dressing.
In essence, the type of wound dressing you'll need to use will be determined by whether or not the wound is infected, its depth, how much exudate it is producing, and its size. If a wound is extremely dry, you'll need a dressing that can donate moisture; if it needs to be drained, you'll need a dressing that is absorbent. In any case, it's important to form a seal with the skin, and thus, you don't want to skimp on your wound care products.
Sources
Chronic Wound Repair and Healing in Older Adults
