Non-Adherent Dressings

Non-adherent dressings lack an adhesive, meaning they won't adhere to fragile skin. This guide will help you decide which non-adherent dressing is the best fit for your wound care needs.

What are Non-Adherent Dressings?

Non-adherent or ouchless, dressings are a type of wound care necessity that doesn't contain an adhesive. They go on smoothly, without sticking or leaving a residue behind.

Additionally, they lock moisture in a while guarding against bacteria and debris entering the wound. They are a good option in situations where the skin is fragile or sensitive to an adhesive.

Non-adhesive bandages come in sterile and non-sterile varieties. Make sure to check the box if your wound care instructions state to use a sterile dressing. If you are unsure whether you need a sterile bandage, ask your healthcare provider for recommendations,

What are Non-Adherent Dressings Made of?

Non-adherent dressings or non-stick pads are made of different materials, including:

Blended polyethylene, rayon, and cellulose

Cellulose acetate mesh

Cotton

Cotton over the film

Gauze

Nylon-polyester

Patented LevaFiber™ technology

Rayon-polyester

Viscose, polyester, and polyethylene blend

Different Types of Non-Adherent Dressings

Some of these dressings have unique features or benefits. Adaptic non-stick dressings are impregnated with a petrolatum emulsion to allow wound moisture to pass through the dressing easily.

Drawtex makes one with a special LevaFiber™ technology designed to draw excess moisture away from the wound bed and helps remove toxins such as bacteria, necrotic tissue, and slough.

When and How to Use Non-Adherent Sterile Dressings?

Non-adherent dressings are a good choice for wounds that have light-to-moderate weeping or when the skin is fragile. Damaged skin can break down or tear easily when removing a dressing with an adhesive. Non-adherent dressings are the safer choice for delicate skin.

Here's how to use non-adherent sterile dressings:

Wash hands thoroughly and wear gloves.

Cleanse the wound with saline wound flush and pat dry with gauze.

Apply an antimicrobial wound gel or other sterile wound filler if needed.

Choose a wound dressing that's at least an inch larger than the wound.

Center the dressing over the wound, ensuring a proper fit.

Secure in place with skin-friendly surgical tape, elastic netting, or transparent dressing.

Pros and Cons of Non-Adherent Wound Dressing

Non-adherent dressings are a good choice for wounds that have light to moderate weeping. They're also an alternative for wounds where the skin is thin since they won't pull or tug at the skin when removed. This also makes them a more comfortable solution.

Pros

Won't stick to skin and provides painless removal

Keeps wound bed moist and promotes healing

Guards against debris and bacteria

Absorbent to catch light to moderate weeping

Cons

Requires secondary dressing to secure in place

Not ideal for moderate to heavily weeping wounds

Not ideal for dry eschar, non-weeping wounds

Sizes for Non-Adherent Dressings

Non-adherent dressings are available in a variety of sizes to meet your different wound care needs. Dressing sizes range from a small eye pad, to a medium size bandage for hand, arm or shoulder wounds, to a large pad for leg, stomach, or back wounds. Non-stick wound care dressings are useful to have on hand in a medical emergency or to keep in your first aid kit.

Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any questions on which type of dressing is right for you.