Wound care-Part I: A practical approach to local wound care and dressing selection

Dermatologists have expertise in diagnosing and managing many ulcerative conditions. However, dermatology training often lacks substantial teaching or hands-on experience in wound care. Proper wound management begins with accurately identifying the underlying cause of a wound, along with any patient-specific factors that may impede healing. These factors help guide the selection of appropriate wound care techniques and dressings. The main categories of dressings include films, foams, alginates, hydrogels, hydrocolloids, gelling fibers, and super-absorbents. For critically colonized wounds, or those at higher risk of infection, antimicrobial-impregnated dressings may be utilized. Highly exudative wounds require absorptive dressings, whereas dry wounds benefit from dressings that provide and maintain moisture. Importantly, addressing patient-specific concerns, such as the frequency of dressing changes, cost, ease of application, and comfort, is essential for promoting adherence and improving quality of life. This report provides guidance on the clinical assessment of wounds, key considerations in dressing selection based on wound characteristics, and a summary of traditional wound dressings and their indications.