A wound is a tissue injury or defect in normal skin tissue caused by the action of an injury-causing agent. Wounds are very common and have been formed since the beginning of mankind.

In 1962, Winter, a British zoologist, demonstrated that wounds heal one times faster in a wet environment than in a dry environment, thus giving rise to a new theory of wet healing. The purpose of dressing application is to create a natural environment similar to that of the skin, allowing for rapid wound healing.

Classification of dressings
I. Traditional dressings
Types
Gauze, Vaseline gauze, synthetic fibre cloth.

II. Film dressings
Scope of application
Mainly used for fixing indwelling needles, catheters, preventing infection, also used for superficial wounds and a small amount of exudate or non-exudate wounds, can be used as auxiliary dressings for other dressings.

Hydrocolloid dressing
Hydrocolloid dressing is mainly composed of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, synthetic elastomer, medical adhesive, synthetic plasticiser and surface polyurethane semi-permeable membrane.
Scope of application
Dermal wounds, black scab wounds, small and medium exuding wounds, surface burns, sunburns, abrasions, radiation wounds and pressure sore prevention.

Four, hydrogel dressings
Hydrogel dressing, is a paste gel or sheet gel composed of water and non-adhesive polymers.

Scope of application
1. Prevention and treatment of phlebitis;
2. Wounds of Ⅰ, Ⅱ degree burns;
3. For the protection of exposed periosteum, tendons and internal organs;
4. for debridement of partial and total cortical wounds, black scab necrotic wounds, such as: lower limb ulcers, pressure sores, uninfected sugar foot ulcers, etc.

V. Alginate or calcium alginate dressing
Alginate or calcium alginate is extracted from natural seaweed plants, easily soluble in water and fast absorption.
Scope of application
1. Lower limb ulcers, pressure sores, sugar foot ulcers;
2. For partial or total cutaneous wounds, medium to large exudate wounds;
3. For post-operative difficult-to-heal wounds, traumatic wounds, transplantation of skin donor sites and PICC puncture points at the initial stage of haemostasis.

Foam dressing
Foam dressings are composed of polyurethane foam and polyvinyl alcohol foam, relying on the sponge's water vapour transport and absorption mechanism to control exudates.
Scope of application
1. Prevention of pressure ulcers;
2. Medium to large exuding wounds;
3. All kinds of chronic wounds, such as lower limb ulcers;
4. Care of tracheotomy wound and skin around intubation.

Hydrophilic Fibre Dressing with Silver
The product makes use of the bactericidal effect of silver, and the contact with wound exudate can release silver ions to fight against bacteria.
Scope of application
Infected wounds or wounds at risk of infection, post-surgical wounds, burns, skin graft donor areas, traumatic wounds, and chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic foot, tumour wounds), not suitable for dry, crusty wounds.


Bioactive dressing
Bioactive dressing is made of FGF (fibroblast growth factor) and collagen composite.
Indications
Medium to large amount of exudate or medium to deep wounds, wounds with hollow sinus tracts, wounds with poor coagulation function or postoperative bleeding.

Nine, lipid hydrocolloid silver sulfate dressing
The product consists of a polyurethane mesh impregnated with hydrocolloid particles (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), petroleum jelly and silver salt.
Scope of application
1. Chronic wounds: pressure injuries and leg ulcers;
2. Acute wounds: burns, trauma, surgical wounds, etc.

X. Hypertonic Saline Dressing
It consists of absorbent polyester fibre and 28% sodium chloride to provide a hypertonic environment for wounds.
Scope of application
1. Deep cavity, sinus tract and abscess incision wounds;
2. Granulomatous oedema wounds, inflammatory proliferative stage wounds;
3. Delayed healing wounds with much secretion (pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, sugar foot ulcers, venous ulcers of lower limbs).

XI. Liquid dressing
Synthesised with 3 polymers based on polymer acrylic acid, alcohol free.
Scope of application
1. Skin care for incontinence;
2. Skin care around stoma and wounds;
3. Infants and young children with red buttocks.