Primary vs Secondary Wound Dressings: The Differences You Need to Know

 

You may think that all wound dressings are created equal. If you have ever been to the wound dressing aisle of the local pharmacy or drugstore you may have noticed that there is a seemingly unending collection of wound care options. By identifying the type of wound you have can make it easier to choose between a primary or secondary wound dressing. I can shine some light on the difference between the two and which may be right for you. Be sure to visit our website at www.healthproductsforyou.com for all of your wound care needs.

Wound Care 101

As you might have guessed, any wound is a disruption to your skin’s integrity. Basically, it’s a hole!! To properly heal any wound, it is important to understand the type of wound you have and the differences between wound dressings. There are basically two types of wounds:

1. Acute wounds: This type of wound is an injury that occurs suddenly due to a trauma, surgery, or some other cause. These typically heal in a couple of weeks but if care isn’t taken they can become chronic wounds.
2. Chronic wounds: These are wounds that do not heal in a typical two-week window. These can take weeks or months to properly heal. These typically are ulcers (pressure, neuropathic, arterial ulcers etc.)

Usually, the type of wound dressing required can depend upon the location and severity of your wound. The use of wound care dressings are essential to create the correct environment for wounds to heal. They can prevent infection, create a moist wound bed for optimal healing, and protect the wound itself.

Primary vs. Secondary Dressings

Since identifying your type of wound and its location is the first step towards healing, the next step is to choose the correct type of dressing to expedite the healing process. Understanding

what the main differences are between primary and secondary dressings and the proper way to use each of them, can be the key for proper and expedited healing. By choosing the right dressing, you can minimize the risk of infection and pain as you recover from whatever your wound type is. Key features of both primary and secondary dressings include:

Primary Dressings: This type of dressing directly comes in contact with your wound bed and directly influences your wound in the recovery process. Examples of primary dressings and include:

1. Hydrocolloids
2. Antibacterial dressings
3. Calcium alginate dressings
4. Silver dressings
5. Absorbent foam

Secondary Dressings: Typically, these dressings are used in conjunction with primary dressings and keep those dressings in place securely but they also can provide extra absorption for exudate to the primary dressing. Secondary dressings do not come in direct contact with your wound. Types of secondary dressings include:

1. Gauze
2. Tubular bandages
3. Conforming bandages
4. Transparent film
5. Compression bandages

Your doctor may recommend that you see a wound care specialist to develop a wound care management plan. Your plan may involve primary dressings used in conjunction with secondary dressings, as well as antibacterial or antimicrobial creams.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Once you have properly dressed your wound, it should start down the path to healing but if your wound bed becomes red or inflamed you should see your physician or nurse ASAP. Any red or inflamed tissue could be a sign of an infection which could hinder the healing process or potentially cause a problem down the road. Also, if the tissue around your wound has become warm or start leaking puss this could also be a sign of an infection in the wound area.

References:

1. Wound Dressing Types – OSCE Guide
2. Secondary Wound Dressing Selection
3. A Quick Overview: What’s The Difference Of Primary and Secondary Dressings?
4. 11 Types Of Wound Care Dressings And When To Use Each
5. Wound Care: The Basics

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