Why Proper Wound Care Matters
Whether it’s a surgical wound, a pressure sore, or a diabetic ulcer, proper wound care is essential for healing and infection prevention. For people with diabetes, mobility limitations, or compromised immune systems, wound care isn’t optional — it’s critical.
Step-by-Step Wound Cleaning
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water (or use hand sanitizer)
- Remove the old dressing gently — dampen with saline if it sticks
- Clean the wound with normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) or a wound cleanser. Pour or spray gently — don’t scrub.
- Pat dry the surrounding skin with clean gauze (don’t dry the wound bed itself)
- Assess the wound: Look for signs of infection — increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or bad odour
- Apply new dressing (see types below)
- Secure with tape or wrap — not too tight
- Wash hands again
Types of Wound Dressings
Gauze
The most basic and versatile dressing. Available in pads, rolls, and packing strips. Good for covering wounds after cleaning. Must be changed frequently (1-2 times daily) as it dries out.
- Woven gauze: Looser weave, more absorbent, can leave fibers in wound
- Non-woven gauze: Lint-free, less trauma on removal. Preferred for most wounds.
Foam Dressings
Soft, absorbent foam pads. Excellent for moderate to heavy exudate (wound fluid). Can stay in place 3-7 days. Comfortable and cushioning — great for pressure sores. Brands: Mepilex, Allevyn.
Hydrocolloid Dressings
Gel-forming dressings that create a moist healing environment. Self-adhesive, waterproof. Best for light to moderate exudate. Can stay 3-7 days. Brands: DuoDERM, Comfeel.
Alginate Dressings
Made from seaweed fibers. Highly absorbent — turns into a gel when it contacts wound fluid. Best for deep wounds with heavy drainage. Requires a secondary dressing on top. Brands: Kaltostat, Melgisorb.
Hydrogel
Water-based gel or sheets. Adds moisture to dry wounds and promotes autolytic debridement (helps the body remove dead tissue). Best for dry wounds, burns, and radiation skin damage.
Transparent Film
Thin, clear adhesive sheets. Waterproof, allows you to monitor the wound without removing the dressing. Best for superficial wounds, IV sites, and as a secondary dressing. Brands: Tegaderm, OpSite.
Silver Dressings
Contain silver ions that kill bacteria. Used for infected wounds or wounds at high risk of infection. Available in foam, alginate, and hydrocolloid formats. Brands: Aquacel Ag, Mepilex Ag.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical attention if you notice:
- Increasing pain, redness, or swelling around the wound
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Red streaks spreading from the wound
- Fever or chills
- Wound not improving after 2 weeks
- Wound is deep, gaping, or won’t stop bleeding
Wound Care for Diabetics
If you have diabetes, take wound care especially seriously:
- Check your feet daily for any cuts, blisters, or sores
- Even small wounds need prompt attention — healing is slower with diabetes
- Keep blood sugar controlled — high glucose impairs immune response
- See your doctor for any wound that doesn’t show improvement within a few days
- Consider offloading devices (special shoes, casts) for foot ulcers
Shop Wound Care Supplies at FinalMedic
We carry gauze, foam dressings, hydrocolloids, alginates, wound cleansers, tapes, and bandages from trusted medical brands. Everything you need for wound care at home.
Free shipping on all orders across Canada. Contact info@finalmedic.ca if you need help selecting the right dressings.