JELONET DRESSING

Removing a dressing that has bonded to a healing wound surface can undo the progress of days of healing and cause significant pain. Paraffin gauze dressings were developed specifically to address this: the paraffin in the gauze prevents the fibres from adhering to wound tissue and new granulation, allowing the dressing to be lifted without pulling on the wound bed. Jelonet Dressing is a paraffin gauze wound contact layer from Smith & Nephew, available in six configurations from small squares to a 15cm x 2m roll. Secondary dressing required. No antiseptic. No prescription needed.

Jelonet Dressing is a regulated medical device from Smith & Nephew. It is a wound contact layer consisting of woven cotton gauze impregnated with white soft paraffin. The gauze has an open mesh structure; the weave creates pores that allow wound exudate to pass through from the wound surface into the secondary dressing placed above it. The paraffin fills the fibres of the gauze and prevents them from bonding with wound tissue as healing progresses and exudate dries.

Jelonet Dressing is a primary wound contact layer only. It has no inherent absorbency; the paraffin in the gauze is hydrophobic and repels rather than absorbs fluid. Wound exudate passes through the mesh pores into the secondary absorbent dressing above. Without a secondary dressing, there is nothing to absorb exudate, and the wound cannot be adequately managed. A secondary dressing must always be applied over Jelonet Dressing.

Jelonet Dressing contains no antiseptic agent. It differs from Bactigras, which is chlorhexidine-impregnated paraffin gauze. Jelonet is plain paraffin gauze, appropriate for clean wounds, burns, donor sites, skin grafts, and wounds where the wound contact layer needs to be atraumatic at removal without antimicrobial action. Where a paraffin gauze with an antiseptic is clinically indicated, Bactigras should be used instead.

Six configurations are available covering a range of wound dimensions and clinical applications, from small 5cm x 5cm squares to the 15cm x 2m roll for extensive wound areas.

Jelonet Dressing has no antiseptic action. It is not appropriate for infected wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. Jelonet Dressing is a wound contact layer only; it must always be used with a secondary absorbent dressing placed over it. Without a secondary dressing, Jelonet provides no exudate management. The 15cm x 2m roll and the 10cm x 40cm format are for large wound areas such as burns, donor sites, and extensive skin conditions and should be used under clinical supervision.

Paraffin and Low Adherence

White soft paraffin is a semi-solid water-repelling material derived from petroleum. When cotton gauze fibres are impregnated with paraffin, the fibres become coated with a hydrophobic layer that prevents them from forming bonds with wound tissue. As a wound heals, new granulation tissue forms at the wound surface and new epithelial cells migrate across the wound. Without paraffin, dry gauze fibres become embedded in this new tissue as exudate dries, and removal pulls the fibres free and damages the healing surface. The paraffin coating prevents this bonding, allowing the gauze to be lifted from the wound with less mechanical disruption to the tissue.

Open Mesh Exudate Passage

The open mesh structure of Jelonet gauze allows wound exudate to pass through the pores in the weave and be absorbed by the secondary dressing above. This is the mechanism by which the wound is kept from becoming waterlogged - the exudate does not pool at the wound surface beneath the gauze but moves upward through the mesh. The secondary dressing draws exudate upward by capillary action, keeping the wound surface at an appropriate moisture level. Choosing a secondary dressing with adequate absorbency for the wound's exudate output is important for this system to work effectively.

Suitability for Burns and Skin Grafts

Burns and skin graft sites are among the most common clinical applications for paraffin gauze. Burn wound surfaces are highly susceptible to adherence-related trauma at dressing changes because the tissue is fragile and the wound is often extensive. Paraffin gauze provides a wound contact layer that allows exudate to drain while minimising dressing to wound adhesion. For skin graft sites, the paraffin gauze is applied directly over the graft and covered with an absorbent secondary dressing. The low adherence property protects the graft from being disturbed at the first and subsequent dressing changes.

Preparation

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound as directed.
• Prepare the secondary absorbent dressing before opening the Jelonet packaging.

Application

• Cut or fold Jelonet to fit the wound if needed.
• Apply Jelonet directly against the wound surface with the gauze lying flat against the wound bed.
• Apply the secondary absorbent dressing immediately over the Jelonet.
• Secure with tape, bandage, or compression as appropriate for the wound site.
• Label with the date and time.

Removal

• Irrigate with sterile saline if the Jelonet is adhering to the wound - even with paraffin, some adherence can occur with certain wound types or prolonged wear.
• Lift the Jelonet gently from the wound surface, supporting the wound edges.
• Assess the wound at each change.

Apply Jelonet as a single layer against the wound surface. Multiple layers of Jelonet applied over each other increase the amount of paraffin at the wound contact site and can interfere with exudate drainage through the mesh. For large wound areas use size up to the 10cm x 40cm or 15cm x 2m format rather than overlapping multiple smaller pieces.

Jelonet 5cm x 5cm - Pack of 5

Small squares for minor wounds, small burns, digit wound sites, and localised wound surfaces. A pack of five suitable for a small stock at home or in a clinical setting.

Jelonet 5cm x 5cm - Pack of 50

The same small square format in a larger bulk pack of fifty. Suited to clinical settings or regular high-volume use, where the pack of five would need frequent replenishment.

Jelonet 10cm x 7cm - Single

An individually wrapped single dressing for a moderate-sized wound or for wound sites where one piece is required per change without the need for a larger pack. Convenient for community or home use where a single application is needed.

Jelonet 10cm x 10cm - Pack of 10

A medium square for moderate-sized wounds. A commonly used size across a range of wound types, including pressure ulcer wound beds, burns at intermediate stages of healing, and other wound sites where 10cm x 10cm coverage is appropriate.

Jelonet 10cm x 40cm - Pack of 10

A large rectangular format for extended wound areas, including longer burns, extensive leg ulcer surfaces, and wound sites where a larger coverage area is needed. Can be cut to shorter lengths if required. Suited to clinical use.

Jelonet 15cm x 2m - Pack of 12

A roll format providing the largest available coverage from the Jelonet range. Used for extensive burns, large skin graft donor sites, and other major wound areas requiring broad paraffin gauze wound contact coverage. Strips can be cut from the roll to the required length and applied across the wound surface. The pack of twelve rolls is suited to clinical settings managing larger numbers of burn or graft patients. Use under clinical supervision for wound areas of this scale.

Secondary absorbent dressing is always required with all six configurations.

Do Not Use Jelonet Dressing If

• The wound shows clinical signs of infection - no antimicrobial action.
• Antimicrobial coverage at the wound contact layer is clinically indicated - use Bactigras in these situations.
• Known sensitivity to paraffin or cotton gauze components.

Precautions

• Always apply a secondary absorbent dressing over Jelonet.
• Apply as a single layer - multiple layers of paraffin gauze can impede exudate drainage.
• Single use only.
• For large wound areas (15cm x 2m roll format), use under clinical supervision.

Adverse Effects

• Paraffin accumulation on the wound and surrounding skin with prolonged use - change regularly and cleanse the wound area.
• Some adherence can still occur with very dry wound surfaces or prolonged wear periods despite the paraffin. Irrigate with saline before removal if needed.

Wounds and Situations Where Jelonet Dressing Is Appropriate

• Burns at all stages of healing where a low adherence wound contact layer is the clinical priority
• Skin graft donor and recipient sites where protecting new or grafted tissue from adherence-related trauma at dressing changes is essential
• Clean granulating wounds where a wound contact layer that allows exudate drainage while minimising tissue disruption on removal is needed
• Any wound site where a simple, effective paraffin gauze primary contact layer is appropriate alongside an absorbent secondary layer
• Adults and children

Jelonet vs Bactigras

Both Jelonet and Bactigras are paraffin gauze wound contact layers from Smith & Nephew. The difference is the active ingredient. Jelonet contains plain paraffin with no antiseptic - it is appropriate for clean wounds where antimicrobial coverage is not needed. Bactigras contains chlorhexidine acetate in addition to paraffin, providing local antimicrobial action at the wound contact surface. Choose Jelonet for clean wounds where atraumatic removal is the priority. Choose Bactigras when local antimicrobial action at the wound contact layer is also clinically indicated.

Jelonet Dressing is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. All six configurations are available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on Jelonet configuration selection, appropriate secondary dressing choice, and whether Jelonet or Bactigras is the more appropriate paraffin gauze for a specific wound.

Burns, skin grafts, and large or complex wounds should be managed under clinical supervision. For these wound types, dressing selection is part of a broader clinical management plan overseen by a burns unit, tissue viability nurse, or clinical team.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as the packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. All six Jelonet Dressing configurations are genuine Smith & Nephew products stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on paraffin gauze selection and on appropriate secondary dressings for different wound types and clinical situations.

References

1. Smith & Nephew. Jelonet Dressing — Instructions for Use. Smith & Nephew. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care: burn management. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Principles of wound assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.
4. NHS. Burns and scalds. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds. Accessed June 2026.