Many minor or superficial wounds can be treated at home with just a few supplies you can get from a pharmacy, meaning you won’t need to visit your GP or an A&E. One of the most important supplies you will need is a dressing to protect your wound and help it heal. A dressing is covering to place over the wound and the one best suited for you will depend on the type of injury you have.

Types of Wound Dressings

• Cloth: Cloth dressings are the most widely available and commonly used dressings. They have several different applications when it comes to wounds and come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are pre-cut but can also come in a roll, allowing you to cut the cloth to size. You may need medical tape or an adhesive to keep the cloth in place.
• Hydrogel: Several different types of wounds can be dressed with hydrogel as long as they are leaking little to no fluid. It can also be used for second-degree burns, infected wounds, and pressure ulcers. Hydrogel is a comfortable dressing that heals wounds and keeps them from becoming infected. Some even contain cooling gel to provide extra comfort.
• Collagen: Collagen dressings are made of collagen derived from certain types of animals and can be used for burns, large injuries, pressure sores, transplant sites, and ulcers. They speed up the healing process by removing dead tissue, encouraging new blood vessels to grow, and bring the wound edges together.
• Antimicrobial barrier dressing: Antimicrobial and antibacterial dressings are used to reduce the risk of wounds like surgical incision sites from becoming infected. They won’t stop an already existing infection from spreading, but are effective at preventing infections from occurring.
• Foam: Foam dressings are usually made of film-coated gel or polyurethane material. They are less likely to stick to the wound and are able to be used for pressure ulcers, minor burns, diabetic ulcers, and skin grafts. Foam dressings are very absorbent and do not need to be changed as often as some other types of dressings.
• Transparent film dressings: These dressings are made of a polyurethane material and let oxygen penetrate through the dressing to reach the wound. They are ideal for minor burns, pressure ulcers, and partial-thickness wounds. Transparent dressings can stay in place for up to a week and keep the wound dry and bacteria-free. They shouldn’t be used on wounds that are significantly weeping and there’s a chance the film may stick to the wound.

Where to Buy Dressings

When you need wound dressing products to care for wounds you or someone in your household are suffering from, visit our website. We sell many different types of dressings as well as all the other supplies you may need to care for your wounds safely and effectively at home.

Visit our online shop or contact one of our dedicated pharmacists to purchase high-quality and affordable dressings like ACTICOAT, Allevyn Adhesive Dressings, and Allevyn AG Gentle Border online in the UK. We are a leading online pharmacy and offer low-cost products with free delivery right to your doorstep.