CedarPath MedicalWhat Dressing Works for Highly Exuding Wounds?
Highly exuding wounds need a dressing that removes and holds large volumes of fluid so the surrounding skin does not macerate. The main options, from highest fluid capacity down:
Super absorbent dressings (highest capacity)
A dressing with a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) core that rapidly wicks and locks away large volumes of wound fluid, keeping it off the skin even under compression. Use super absorbent (or the adhesive-bordered version) when foams strike through too quickly.
Alginates and silver alginates
A calcium alginate dressing made from seaweed-derived fibres. On contact with wound fluid it forms a soft gel that holds exudate and maintains a moist wound-healing environment. Alginate and silver alginate gel to absorb moderate-to-heavy exudate and can pack cavities.
Foams
Foam and silicone foam suit moderate-to-high exudate and cushion the wound.
What dressing works for highly exuding wounds?
Versus a foam dressing it holds much more fluid and locks it in under pressure, reducing maceration and leakage on high-exudate wounds. A super-absorbent dressing holds the most fluid; alginates and foams suit moderate-to-high exudate.
What is a super absorbent dressing?
A dressing with a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) core that rapidly wicks and locks away large volumes of wound fluid, keeping it off the skin even under compression.
How do you stop exudate from macerating the skin?
Use a dressing matched to the exudate level so fluid is wicked away and locked in, change it before it reaches capacity, and protect the peri-wound skin. Super-absorbent dressings lock fluid away even under compression.