Guide 3
Wound Dressing Selection Guide: How to Choose a Wound Dressing by Wound Type
Choosing the right wound dressing depends on wound assessment, including the wound type, tissue, moisture/exudate level, surrounding skin and treatment goals. Dry wounds may require a hydrogel, while selected lightly exuding wounds may suit a hydrocolloid. Foam dressings can manage a range of exudate levels depending on the product. Heavily exuding wounds and cavities may be suited to an alginate or gelling fibre. Silver or iodine dressings may be used under clinical direction when antimicrobial management is indicated.
Choose a Wound Dressing by Type
Eight dressing families cover many common wound-care needs. Use the table below to identify a dressing type that may suit the wound, then follow the relevant link for more information.
| Dressing family | Best for | Example products |
|---|---|---|
| Low-adherent / tulle | Dry to low fluid, fragile or minor wounds | Jelonet, Cuticerin, Bactigras |
| Silicone contact layer | Protecting fragile skin and supporting gentle dressing changes | Mepitel, Adaptic Touch |
| Foam | Moderate to heavy fluid, cushioning | Mepilex, Allevyn, Aquacel Foam |
| Hydrocolloid | Light fluid, granulating wounds, blisters | DuoDERM, Comfeel, Granuflex |
| Alginate / gelling fibre | Heavy fluid, cavities, selected wounds requiring haemostatic support | Kaltostat, Aquacel, Sorbsan |
| Silver antimicrobial | Selected infected or high-risk wounds | Acticoat, Aquacel Ag, Mepilex Ag |
| Iodine antiseptic | Selected infected or at-risk wounds | Inadine, Iodosorb — see the Inadine guide |
| Hydrogel | Dry or sloughy wounds, where moisture is required | Solosite, Intrasite, Solugel |
Too dry, and the dressing sticks. Too wet, and the skin around the wound can break down. The right dressing helps maintain a wound environment that is moist, not soaked.
First, Judge the Exudate: How Wet Is the Wound?
Exudate is the fluid a wound produces and is an important factor when selecting a dressing. Check the dressing you have just removed.
A dressing that is barely marked may indicate a dry or minimally exuding wound. A lightly exuding wound may be suitable for a hydrocolloid when clinically appropriate; hydrocolloids are generally avoided where infection is present or frequent wound review is required.
For wounds that exude large volumes of fluid or deep wounds, an alginate or gelling fibre may be appropriate, especially when the dressing is heavily saturated.
Dressing absorbency should be appropriate to the amount of exudate to help manage moisture and protect periwound skin from becoming too moist.
Low-Adherent Dressings and Contact Layers
These sit directly on the wound and are designed to minimise disruption to the wound bed when the outer dressing is changed. Silicone layers such as Mepitel are designed for gentle contact with the wound and surrounding skin. Paraffin tulles, such as Jelonet may be used for selected minor wounds and skin tears.
Best for: fragile skin, minor wounds, and skin tears. Examples: Mepitel, Jelonet, Cuticerin, and Bactigras.
Foam Dressings
Foam is commonly used when a wound produces moderate to heavy amounts of exudate. It absorbs wound fluid while also providing cushioning and protection.
Foams with a border have an adhesive border that may assist in keeping the dressing in place, making them useful for areas such as knees and heels. Foams without a border may need an appropriate secondary dressing or retention method.
Best for: moderate to heavy fluid and wounds requiring cushioning. Examples: Mepilex, Mepilex Border, Allevyn, and Aquacel Foam.
Hydrocolloids
A hydrocolloid contains materials that interact with wound fluid to form a gel and help maintain a moist wound environment. It may suit lightly exuding wounds, selected granulating wounds, and blisters.
Its adhesive properties can help keep the dressing in place, although suitability and wear time depend on the wound, product, and clinical assessment.
Best for: lightly exuding and selected granulating wounds, as well as blisters. Examples: DuoDERM, Comfeel, and Granuflex.
Alginates and Gelling Fibre
Made from seaweed-derived fibres or absorbent gelling fibres, these dressings can manage higher levels of exudate and may be useful for wounds with depth or cavities.
Some alginate products may also provide haemostatic support for selected wounds with minor bleeding. These dressings generally require an appropriate secondary dressing and should be regularly assessed according to the wound's condition and level of exudate.
Best for: heavy fluid and wounds with cavities. Examples: Kaltostat, Aquacel, and Sorbsan.
Silver and Iodine Dressings
When a wound is infected, or there are clinical concerns about infection or bioburden, a clinician may consider an antimicrobial dressing. Silver options include Acticoat and Aquacel Ag. Iodine options include Inadine and Iodosorb.
These dressings are generally used as part of a broader wound-management plan rather than as routine dressings for every wound. Their suitability, duration of use, and precautions should be determined by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Best for: selected infected or high-risk wounds, under clinical direction. Examples: Acticoat, Aquacel Ag, Inadine and Iodosorb.
Hydrogels
Hydrogels perform a different role from highly absorbent dressings. A hydrogel adds moisture to a dry or sloughy wound and may support autolytic debridement by helping soften and loosen devitalised tissue.
Solosite, Intrasite, and Solugel are commonly used hydrogel products. Depending on the product and wound, a secondary dressing may be required to keep the hydrogel in place and manage any resulting exudate.
Best for: dry or sloughy wounds where additional moisture is required. Examples: Solosite, Intrasite, and Solugel.
Important: This guide supports general wound-dressing education and does not replace a clinical wound assessment. Speak with a nurse or doctor about wounds that are deep, infected, deteriorating, or not healing, and seek professional advice for people with diabetes or poor circulation.
Where to Buy Wound Dressings in Australia
Joya Medical Supplies stocks a range of wound dressings and wound-care products for different wound-management needs. Explore the wound care range to find products suitable for various dressing requirements.
FAQ
- How do I know which wound dressing to use?
- Start with the wound's moisture level. Use a hydrogel for dry wounds, a hydrocolloid for light weeping, a foam for moderate to heavy fluid, and an alginate or gelling fibre for very wet wounds or cavities. If infection is a risk, your clinician may add a silver or iodine dressing.
- What is the difference between a hydrocolloid and a foam dressing?
- A hydrocolloid can suit selected lightly to moderately exuding wounds and forms a gel as it interacts with exudate. Foam dressings provide absorption and cushioning and may suit a broader range of exudate levels depending on the product. Dressing choice should be based on wound assessment rather than pressure location alone.
- Which dressing is best for a heavily weeping wound?
- An alginate or gelling fibre dressing such as Kaltostat or Aquacel. It absorbs large volumes, can pack a cavity, and needs a secondary dressing plus regular review.
- When does a wound need a silver or iodine dressing?
- Antimicrobial dressings such as silver or iodine may be considered for selected infected or high-risk wounds under clinical direction. Iodine dressings have important product-specific contraindications and precautions, including iodine hypersensitivity and certain thyroid, renal, pregnancy and breastfeeding circumstances; check the current product instructions before use.