Wound dressing options for exudate and moisture management

Effective management of moisture and wound exudate is crucial for maintenance of skin integrity, wound healing and prevention of skin breakdown. The amount of exudate, location, and underlying cause should all be taken into consideration with decisions for appropriate moisture management. Following are some options to consider when choosing wound dressings to manage exudate, along with a quick reference table (Table 1) to assist in differentiation between pressure or moisture wounds.

Table 1.

Differentiation of pressure and moisture associated skin damage

Exudate is contained within the two chambers of the dressing through the process of diffusion, decreasing periwound maceration. A clear layer allows for visualisation of wound without removal of dressing. Examples: 3M Tegaderm +pad film dressing with non-adherent pad, Covrsite Plus Composite Dressing, Opsite post-op Composite Dressing, Suresite 123 + Pad.

Dressings composed of polymers that contain small open cells (sponge like) capable of holding fluids and pulling them away from wound bed; keeps the wound bed moist, assists with debridement of necrotic tissue, provides insulation, and may be left in place 3–7 days. Absorptive capabilities vary among brands. Examples of Foam Dressings: Advazorb Hydrophilic Foam Dressing, Allevyn Life, AMERX Foam Dressings, Biatain, Comfeel Ulcer Dressing, Curafoam, Cutimed Siltec, Hydrasorb, KerraFoam Gentle Border, LYOfoam, MPM Isolate Hydrophilic Foam Dressing, Mepilex, Mitraflex, Optifoam Gentle, Polymem, Tielle, 3M Tegaderm Silicone Foam Border Dressing.