Most people keep a selection of bandages in their medicine cabinets to use for small, everyday wounds. From paper cuts to blisters, most of us are familiar with using waterproof bandages in a variety of ways. But when a healthcare professional sees a patient who needs a dressing for a more substantial wound, those at-home coverings just won’t do. For larger cuts, burns, abrasions, incisions, exterior ulcers, and other conditions, physicians need access to products that will provide the protection patients need for fast healing. So, whether you’re trying to determine if you should use a waterproof bandage for stitches or you’re deciding between different bandage options for a partially-healed wound, you may want to refer to this guide.
Visibly Better Protection DrySee color-changing bandages that let you know if they’ve been compromised are the best way to keep your wound safe and clean. Purchase DrySee bandages today to have the latest in wound care in your medicine cabinet or first-aid kit. Use code BLOG20 to get 20% off your DrySee order.
How to Determine the Best Bandage For Your Patient
Identify the Type of Wound
First, it’s important to determine the
type of wound your patient is experiencing. Depending on the situation, you might be dealing with an arterial wound, a venous wound, a neuropathic wound, a surgical wound, or a traumatic wound. While traumatic wounds are typically caused by accidental or violent events, surgical wounds appear following a medical procedure. The other aforementioned wounds may appear in patients with underlying medical conditions or health concerns. When treating traumatic wounds, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of scarring, or further damage,while offering a more moist healing environment. Treating surgical wounds often involves leaving certain areas open intentionally, filling an open space, or covering entirely to absorb excess wound drainage. For other kinds of wounds, it may be necessary to relieve excess pressure for proper healing. But no matter what, it’s essential to protect any type of wound from infection.
Evaluate the Wound’s Size
Before selecting the proper waterproof bandage, you’ll need to measure the wound’s size. Its length, width, and depth will need to be measured to choose the proper covering or treatment. This may be more difficult to do if the wound is in an irregular spot, if it has an odd shape, or if it’s unusually large. If that’s the case for your patient’s wound, it’s best to measure at the widest and longest parts of the wound. Not only can the wound’s measurement allow you to select the right bandage, but it can also help you to follow the wound’s healing progression. Keep in mind that our waterproof bandages come in three different sizes to address a variety of patient needs. Whether you need a two-inch waterproof bandage to cover a small abrasion or your patient requires a five-by-10 wound covering following a surgical procedure, you’llbe able to address their concerns and expedite healing.
Assess the Wound’s Appearance
Before applying any kind of bandage, gauze, or dressing for a wound, you’ll want to take note of the wound’s appearance. This visual assessment can tell you several important factors about the wound in question. A wound that appears red in color could show signs of healing, granulation, or muscle exposure. Wound tissue that is yellow, gray, brown, or black in color can provide medical professionals with valuable information about the wound’s severity, signs of infection, or healing progress being made. Be sure to look for signs of scarring, scaling, callous formation, rolled edges, new skin growth, tunnels or tracts, or other changes. The appearance of the wound can tell you whether it’s appropriate to apply a waterproof bandage or whether another treatment method is needed.
Choose Waterproof Bandages to Facilitate Healing
For a variety of medical needs, waterproof wound dressings can provide the protection your patients deserve. To learn additional information about our bandage products for medical professionals, please contact DrySee today. The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.
Visibly Better Protection
DrySee color-changing bandages that let you know if they’ve been compromised are the best way to keep your wound safe and clean. Purchase DrySee bandages today to have the latest in wound care in your medicine cabinet or first-aid kit. Use code BLOG20 to get 20% off your DrySee order.