Wound care
Good wound care starts with cleansing, then a choice between a plaster, an absorbent dressing or suture strips depending on the size and depth of the wound.
Wound care products for everyday and professional use — chosen by anaesthetists who see wound healing in their clinical work. Plasters, gauze swabs, suture strips and tape from 3M, Leukoplast, Vitri, Snögg, Evercare and Steroplast.
Frequently asked questions about wound care
What is the difference between suture strips and an ordinary plaster?
Suture strips (steri-strip) pull the wound edges together and hold them in place — an alternative to stitches for smaller, straight wounds without tension in the skin. An ordinary plaster protects and covers without drawing the wound together. For deep wounds, wounds that gape or heavy bleeding, healthcare staff should assess whether suture strips are enough or whether stitches are required.
What is Tegaderm and when does it suit better than an ordinary plaster?
Tegaderm is a thin, transparent film dressing that lets moisture and oxygen through but is waterproof on the outside. It works well over catheter insertion sites and smaller superficial wounds or chafing wounds that need to be kept clean and visible while they heal, and in the shower. For wounds with a lot of exudate an absorbent dressing is needed instead.
Which tape suits sensitive skin?
Silk tape such as Leukosilk is softer on the skin and suits frequent dressing changes or known skin sensitivity. Porous leukoplast breathes better and suits most people. Waterproof tape keeps the dressing in place in the shower and when sweating, but it can irritate sensitive skin with prolonged use — test it on a small area of skin first.
When is an absorbent dressing needed instead of a swab?
A swab covers and protects a smaller wound. An absorbent dressing is thicker and takes up more wound exudate, which is needed for larger or exuding wounds, for example after surgery. Sterile absorbent dressings should lie directly against the wound; aseptically clean but non-sterile products are better suited as fixation or padding around the dressing.
How do I clean a wound before dressing it?
Rinse with clean water or saline solution and, if needed, use a wound cleansing agent such as chlorhexidine to reduce the risk of infection. Dry the skin carefully before the dressing is applied — damp skin makes tape and adhesive plaster come loose. Our [guide to chlorhexidine and wound cleansing](/blogs/guider/klorhexidin-sartvatt-guide) goes through the procedure step by step.
Guides for Wound care
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