Understanding how to dress a wound is important. When done properly and safely, wound dressings help to prevent infection and speed up your body’s inbuilt healing process with less scarring.

This simple wound dressing guide will explain how to choose the best wound dressing type and follow the right wound dressing procedure. No matter how big or small your wound might be, your skin deserves the best attention and treatment every time.

There are four main types of wound dressings:

• 1. Plasters
• 2. Bandages
• 3. Tapes
• 4. Compresses

Select the right wound dressing by assessing the type of wound you have using these guidelines:

• Scratches and Cuts
  Once you have cleaned your scratch or cut, choose a dressing, based on the size of your wound. For a small cut use an Elastoplast Fabric Extra Flexible Plaster. If your scratch is larger, you will need a large strong plaster, such as the Elastoplast Heavy Fabric Waterproof XL. If your wound is bleeding intensely, you can stop the bleeding by applying pressure with a dressing like Elastoplast Non-Stick Dressing.
  
  
• Blisters
  If your blister is still intact, you can leave it uncovered and let it heal on its own. But, if it’s on an area where it might get rubbed, protect it with an Elastoplast Blister Plaster. This plaster will prevent the blister from bursting, help to relieve any pain, keep it free of bacteria and also heal it faster.
  
  
• Cuts on Highly Mobile Areas
  Keeping cuts covered on fingers, heels, knuckles, and knees can be tricky, as you move them a lot. But, to make sure that they stay free of dirt and debris until they heal, try Elastoplast Extra Flexible Fabric Plasters. They provide durable protection for these body parts while allowing for greater mobility.
  
  Another alternative is a liquid spray bandage such as Elastoplast Spray Plaster. This convenient and transparent spray-on film provides instant action against bacteria. It can be applied in hard-to-reach places, it is waterproof and only needs to be applied once.

If you are still unsure of what type of wound you have and how to choose a suitable plaster or dressing, check out our simple, interactive wound advisor tool.

Some wounds next a special kind of wound dressing. If you have sensitive skin, you can’t avoid water while you’re healing, or if you have a particularly large wound, you need an appropriate wound dressing to ensure you heal properly.

Wound dressing for sensitive skin
If your skin reacts easily (or painfully) to certain substances, be careful to choose a wound dressing that won’t irritate you.

• Elastoplast Sensitive Plasters are all-purpose adhesive plasters for people with easily irritated skin. They cushion and protect minor wounds with secure yet gentle adhesion. You can choose between different strip sizes for a variety of cuts, scrapes and grazes or you can cut the correct dressing length every time.
  
  
• Elastoplast Silicone Soft Plasters are the ideal solution if you have highly fragile, irritated or sensitive skin and require extra-tender wound treatment. They’re also an excellent choice when frequent plaster changes are necessary as they offer you 100% pain-free removal, every time.

Wound dressing for waterproof protection
Protecting your wounds from harmful bacteria can be tricky if your work or hobbies involve the affected area being regularly wet.

• Elastoplast Aqua Protect Waterproof Plasters are ideal for covering small wounds in and out of the water. The flexible, breathable and transparent adhesive material completely seals off your wound even while wet.
  
  
• If you require a plaster with extra strong adhesion without compromising on flexibility or breathability an Elastoplast Heavy Fabric Waterproof Plaster is a good choice. Featuring Elastoplast’s Hi-DRY TEX technology, these plasters ensure protection and care even under heavy-duty activities.

Larger wounds
Minor surgery can result in larger wounds that require larger wound dressings for them to heal properly.

• The Elastoplast Antibacterial Waterproof XXL Plasters contain antibacterial silver to prevent infections and keep your wound clean. The extra-large wound pad is non-stick and effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. The waterproof plaster material stays sticky in all wet environments.
  
  
• If you have particularly sensitive skin, Elastoplast Sensitive Antibacterial XL/XXL plasters are made from soft and flexible material that creates a firm seal all around your wound, while remaining painless to remove. The soft wound pad provides cushioning and prevents infection with antibacterial silver.

The best way to dress your wound involves following these five simple steps:

• 1. Act immediately
• 2. Clean your wound
• 3. Cover your wound with the most appropriate dressing
• 4. Apply a wound healing ointment
• 5. Change your dressing regularly

In general, you should change a wound dressing every day to remain hygienic, unless otherwise recommended by your doctor.

Always read the label. Follow the instructions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.