About this topic
A wet to dry dressing is used to help clean out a wound that is infected or has not been stitched closed. Wet or moist gauze is put inside the wound. Then, a dry bandage is put over top. As the wet gauze dries, drainage and dead tissue stick to it and are pulled out of the wound when the dressing is changed. Using a wet to dry dressing can help a wound heal faster. ‚
When you change the dressing you may see signs of normal healing. ‚
- Bright red blood ¢ ˆ ’ As wound heals, you will see less bleeding
- Pink or yellowish drainage ¢ ˆ ’ As wound heals, you will see less drainage and it will look clear
- Thick yellow tissue ¢ ˆ ’ As wound heals, healthy tissue will turn pink
General
Based on your wound, your doctor will tell you how often you need to change the dressing. If you were given a drug for pain, it may be helpful to take it 30 to 60 minutes before you change the dressing. To change the dressing at home, you should follow these steps. ‚
Wash your Hands Before You Start ‚
- Wash your hands using liquid soap. Lather for 2 minutes and be sure to scrub between fingers and under your fingernails.
- Rinse with warm water. Keep your fingers pointed down when you rinse.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel and use the towel to turn off the faucet.
Take Off the Old Dressing ‚
- Gather up your supplies, including new bandages and dressings.
- Put on gloves you can throw away.
- Take off the old dressing with care. Wet with warm water if it sticks to your skin.
- To take off tape, pull gently toward the wound.
- With care, take out the packing gauze or tape from inside the wound.
- Put dressings and tape in a plastic bag. Do not lay them on any surface.
- Take off your gloves and put in plastic bag.
- Set bag to the side to throw away after putting on a new dressing.
- When you are done, wash your hands again.
- Each time you change the dressing, look closely at the wound to be sure it is healing the right way.
Clean the Wound ‚
- Put on clean gloves you can throw away.
- Wash the wound gently with warm water and soap and pat dry with a clean soft cloth. Do not rub when washing or drying.
- Be sure to check the wound for signs of infection, like more swelling, redness, or bad odor.
- Take off your gloves and put in plastic bag.
- Wash your hands again with soap and water.
Put on a New Dressing ‚
- Put on clean gloves you can throw away.
- Pour saline in a clean container.
- Soak clean gauze pads or packing tape in saline and squeeze until no longer dripping with saline.
- Pack the wound carefully with the saline-soaked pads or tape. Be sure to fill in all open parts.
- Cover the wet gauze pads or packing tape with a dry dressing and tape securely to healthy skin.
- Take off your gloves and put in plastic bag.
- Seal the bag and put it in the trash.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Wound looks dried out or black or gray in color
- Feeling very tired
- Not able to eat
- Wound gets larger
Get help right away if: ‚
- Wound is bleeding and you cannot stop it
- You think that there may be something in the wound that was not removed such as glass or a wood splinter
- You have very bad pain
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to change my dressing.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
- I can tell you what I will do if my wound looks black or gray or is bleeding.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚