With external damage to skin and human tissue, a wound is formed. To accelerate its healing without serious complications, it is necessary to apply the correct treatment to the wound. The first step is to clear the debris, remove the torn edges, sew them if necessary and apply a wound dressing. Next, we consider the types of pads, their functions and methods of application.
Types of dressings
Pads are classified depending on the type of injury and the method of their use.
- Soft wound dressings are intended for the treatment of disorders of the skin: aseptic, bactericidal, hypertonic, protective, hemostatic.
- Fixed rigid bandages are used to fix the limbs in a stable condition, having a serious injury.
- Elastic bandages are necessary for the treatment of blood stasis in the veins and their expansion.
- Wound dressings with traction of fluid accumulating in the damaged area.
- Radioactive gauze with the presence of natural isotopes.
All soft dressings perform functions such as:
- Protection of open wounds from infections of the external microflora.
- Providing isolation from the entry into the wound of various chemical harmful agents and foreign bodies.
- Absorption of fluid released during wound cleaning.
- Retention of various medicines in the form of a powder, ointment or liquid solution.
Aseptic Dressing
Dry dressing has 3 sterile layers of gauze and absorbent cotton pad. The width of the material should cover not only the wound, but also the area of adjacent skin areas at a distance of at least 5 cm from all sides. The cotton pad should be larger than the gauze layers. Cotton wool can be replaced with a no less sterile and absorbent material - lignin. Aseptic gauze dressing without a cotton pad is applied to wound and dry wounds.
A soft dry dressing is needed to dry the affected area of the body, so that a scab forms on the wound. When infected, cotton-gauze dressing absorbs not only the released pus, but also most of the harmful microorganisms and toxins. The protective action works until the dressing is completely wet. In this case, it must be replaced immediately, otherwise the external microflora will easily penetrate the wound through the moist layers of the bandage. It can also be soaked with a solution of iodine and covered with a new layer of sterile gauze.
Bactericidal dressings
Antiseptic bandages due to the substances contained in them fight against harmful bacteria. In such dressings, each layer of gauze is sprinkled with a special antiseptic powder, such as, for example, streptocide.
Wet dressings soaked in a liquid solution are covered with a dry bandage from above, without disturbing air ventilation. Dangerous microorganisms do not penetrate the moist antibacterial layer. The main thing is that in no case can a dressing with an antiseptic be sealed. This creates the effect of a greenhouse under a bandage, which can lead to internal burns of tissues, in particular, to necrosis.
Heavy bleeding dressings
In order to stop venous bleeding, a dressing is used that presses the wound. If this is not enough, a tourniquet is applied above the site of damage or an injured limb is bent in the joint, fixed in a bent form by a belt.
Sterile gauze is applied to an open wound and soaked in iodine solution so that the stain extends beyond the edges of the injury. Then roll the roll of bandages or cotton wool tightly and apply it over the bandage. It must be tightly tied by pressing on the roller with a hand. If possible, the wounded limb is raised above the body. A pressure dressing is an extreme way to stop the flow of blood, since if blood circulation is disturbed, severe damage to tissues and even limbs can be caused. When using this method, it is necessary to observe the color of the fingers of the limbs. If the blood supply to the tissues is disturbed, the tips turn blue.
Wound dressing
For open wounds, there is a series of special dressings soaked in medicinal products. One of the layers consists of a synthetic mesh that does not adhere to the wound. This layer is saturated with healing wax or ointment containing substances, which in turn help tissue regeneration. Due to the structure of the mesh layer, air circulates freely under the dressing, and the patch also provides the necessary drainage and contains an absorbent layer of gauze. The net may be impregnated with paraffin containing medicinal preparations. Thanks to the heat released by the body, paraffin softens and releases a wound healing medicine.
When applying a certain bandage, you should be aware of some rules for assisting:
- An open wound should not be washed with water or various solutions. Rinsing is permissible only with the ingress of toxic substances.
- You can not smear drugs or pour powders on the internal areas of the wound - this worsens the healing of tissues.
- Dirt that has fallen on the damaged area should be removed from the wound to the edges, then out.
- A solution of iodine treats the areas around the wound, but in no case should the solution be allowed to get inside.
- Blood clots formed in a wound cannot be removed. This may resume bleeding.
Fasting a blood stop and applying a bandage, to avoid complications, you should immediately consult a doctor.