Silicone Foam Dressings for Wound Care

A foam dressing is a bandage with a thick layer of absorbent foam attached to its surfaces. You can use it to cover wounds, sores, and burns. It protects the surrounding skin from damage and absorbs excess moisture from draining wounds.

Wounds need moisture to aid with healing, but too much can cause problems like damage to otherwise healthy skin. Foam dressings absorb the excess moisture while promoting wound healing.

This guide will walk you through some ways you can use silicone foam dressings for faster, safer healing.

Why Use Foam Dressing?

For wound care, especially when you're managing chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers or pressure sores, foam dressing pads offer an ideal solution for a few reasons.

They prevent bacterial growth.

They reduce moisture loss from oozing wounds.

They cushion wound areas, reducing pain from the friction.

Provides thermal insulation for wounds.

Help maintain a moist wound environment for healing.

Easy to apply and remove.

They are long lasting - depending on the amount of exudate, foam dressings can last from 1-7 days.

When and How Do You Use Foam Dressing?

Use foam dressings with acute or chronic wounds such as surgical wounds, pressure sores, bedsores, diabetic ulcers, and arterial insufficiency ulcers. Foam dressings are best for wounds that have a moderate-to-high amount of oozing. Avoid using them with dry or low moisture wounds as potential skin damage can occur.

Foam dressings come in two main categories:

Adhesive

Non-adhesive

Adhesive dressings, like McKesson's silicone foam dressing with a border, stay secure and are easy to apply. Position the foam dressing over the wound and press the adhesive edge to the skin.

Alternatively, non-adhesive foam dressings, like the Lyofoam Max T, require the addition of skin-friendly adhesive tape to secure it in place.

Silver Foam Dressings

Wounds with excessive oozing need extra absorption and protection, and silver and silicone foam dressings offer an excellent solution.

Silver reduces the stress of microbes on the wound during the initial days of healing. Once symptoms of infection resolve, discontinue use and choose a different dressing, like silicone foam dressings. They absorb the excess fluids in moderate-to-high moisture wounds while protecting against bacteria entering the wound.

Foam Dressing Sizes and Material

Finding a foam wound dressing in the right size, material, and supply is crucial for anyone with wound care needs. Foam dressings come in a range of sizes from 2" x 2" to 7 "x 8" to accommodate different wounds and different wound sites. They're also available in a variety of materials, such as:

Silicone foam dressing - Silicone foam dressings are an excellent option for wounds with a moderate amount of fluid.

Hydrocellular dressing - If your wound has a moderate to heavy amount of fluid, then a hydrocellular might provide a better solution, as it can absorb more excess fluids.

Hydrophilic dressing - Works well for wounds that are difficult to dress and that have moderate fluid.

Although most foam dressings are commonly available in packs of 10, you can also buy some individually small, short-term situations or in bulk cases of 60 when the need for foam dressings is greater.

Petrolatum or hydrocolloid dressings offer an alternative dressing for wounds with low-to-moderate moisture seepage. They protect wounds and promote healing by locking in moisture. If you need more help on choosing the right foam dressing, consult your doctor.