Dressings are an indispensable tool for wound management, and the discussion of dressings is a constant topic for wound specialists. However, with a wide variety of dressings available in the market, more than 3,000 or more, how to choose the right dressing correctly is sometimes a mistake even for experienced wound practitioners, not to mention novices.

Gauze dressings are made of woven or non-woven materials, predominantly cotton, and come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be used for infected wounds, wound dressing and protection, wound exudate management, and wounds that require frequent dressing changes.
Advantages: Inexpensive and easily accessible. Can be used for any type of wound.
Disadvantages: must be changed so often as to increase total cost; may adhere to the wound bed causing patient distress; need to be used frequently in combination with other types of dressings; does not meet the requirements for wet wound healing.

Foam dressings are usually multilayered, generally consisting of an anti-adherent wound contact layer, an exudate-absorbent layer, and a water-repellent and bacteriostatic backing, etc. They do not easily adhere to the wound bed, do not form a hermetically sealed space, and have excellent absorbent properties.
Advantages: comfortable, non-adherent to the wound; high absorption performance; low frequency of dressing change required; available in different shapes and sizes for different anatomical sites. Silicone-coated products prevent dressing change-related wound damage and improve patient comfort.
Disadvantages: may need to be secured with a second layer of dressing or tape; may cause periwound skin maceration if not changed in a timely manner when exudate is high; cannot be used on crusted or dry wounds; some foam dressings cannot be used on certain types of wounds, such as infected wounds or sinus tract wounds.

Hydrocolloid dressings have some exudate-absorbing capacity and contain colloidal particles, such as methylcellulose, gelatin, or pectin, which can be transformed into a jelly-like substance when in contact with exudate.
Advantages: promotes autolytic debridement; closes the wound bed and protects the wound; repels water and bacteria and prevents urine and fecal contamination; has moderate exudate absorption capacity.
Disadvantages: may leave a residue in the wound bed that can be mistaken for infection; edges of the dressing tend to roll over in areas prone to friction; not to be used when infection is present. Dressing may turn white locally after exudate absorption, which may cause misunderstanding.