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Wet-to-dry dressing changes

Dressing changes; Wound care - dressing change

Description

Your health care provider has covered your wound with a wet-to-dry dressing. With this type of dressing, a wet (or moist) gauze dressing is put on your wound and allowed to dry. Wound drainage and dead tissue can be removed when you take off the old dressing.

Follow any instructions you are given on how to change the dressing. Use this sheet as a reminder.

What to Expect at Home

Your provider will tell you how often you should change your dressing at home.

As the wound heals, you should not need as much gauze or packing gauze.

Removing the Old Dressing

Follow these steps to remove your dressing:

Cleaning Your Wound

Follow these steps to clean your wound:

Changing Your Dressing

Follow these steps to put a new dressing on:

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have any of these changes around your wound:

Also contact your provider if:

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References

Chilcott M. Wound dressing. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 33.

Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M. Wound care and dressings. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M, eds. Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2016:chap 25.

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Review Date: 3/11/2023  

Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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