As you might have heard, the terms ‘dressing’ and ‘bandage’ are often used synonymously. The term ‘dressing’ refers to the primary layer in contact with the wound. A gauze bandage is a piece of material your doctor will use to cover the injury to keep dressings in place. They will apply pressure to control bleeding.
Your doctor will use a gauze bandage to help keep your wound clean while allowing air to ventilate the dressing and skin. This ventilation will help the injury to heal faster. The woven fabric nature of the bandage makes it effective in circulating. It can also make it absorbent, which is helpful as it helps prevent excess moisture around the wound site.
Gauze Bandage: An Overview
You should note that gauze bandages come in many sizes and types. They can be used on wounds where the infection is already present. These gauges are also used in the process of treatment. They can be combined with topical medicines for such purposes.
As you might know, this gauze has been around for centuries and is very affordable. There are many variations of gauze types for different purposes. Some are simple, while others are multi-layered. Whatever you look for, you will find a gauze to suit your needs.
Your doctor will cover a break in your skin to control bleeding and protect against infection. Dressings are pads of gauze or cloth that can be placed directly against the wound. It will help absorb blood and other fluids in the area. Cloth bandages cover dressings and can hold them in place.
Note that the hospital gauze bandage has many functions. The flexible use of the gauze bandage can significantly improve the position of the gauze bandage itself. It is best to use it for dressing the affected area of the patient.
What is the Difference? Gauze Pads vs. Gauze Sponges
Gauze, you might be aware, is a type of thin medical fabric with a loose open weave typically used in wound dressing. Both gauze sponges and gauze pads are made of 100 percent cotton.
They wick vertically to draw exudates out of your wounds. They are more robust than other types of dressings, probably due to their longer fibers. You can find this gauze – in both sterile and non-sterile forms. For open wounds, your doctor would recommend using sterile gauze only.
Gauze pads and gauze sponges are often used in a number of different applications. They are great for general cleaning, dressings, packing, prepping, and debriding wounds. They can also be used as a temporary absorbent dressing over wounds.
You may even want to use gauze for cushioning or packing your wound. It will help to heal the tissue from the inside out. The primary difference between these items is that gauze pads usually come with one per pack. In contrast, gauze sponges come with two or more per pack.
Gauze Bandage: Function and Material Used
Gauze bandages – as you know, are widely used in homes and medical places. These bandages are common medical supplies. They are generally used to wrap wounds or affected areas.
It is important to know that there are many different types, and the functions of gauze bandages are more comprehensive.
1. Functions of Gauze Bandage
The function of a gauze bandage is commonplace. It is a material that your doctor will use to repair and protect damaged parts.
Note that it is a medical necessity for surgical procedures. A simple gauze bandage is usually made of cotton or gauze. Your doctor commonly uses it on your limbs, tail, head, chest, and abdomen.
Another type of gauze bandage is more in charge of the key point. Today you can find gauze bandages – that are created of various shapes based on the affected area and condition. The material also differs from that of single-layer cotton cloth.
Your doctor sandwiches together different thicknesses of cotton cloth to increase the thickness. Thus protecting the affected area when using a double-layer cotton cloth. These hospital gauze bandages are usually wrapped in cloth strips so that your doctor can tie knots and repair the patient’s affected area.
Gauze bandages generally include back waist gauze bandages, eye gauze bandages, front chest gauze bandages, abdominal gauze bandages, and so on. In addition, there is also a special bandage gauze, which is mostly used for fixing the patient’s limbs and joints.
2. Gauze Bandage – Material Types
There are many gauze bandages on the market today – such as 100 percent cotton plain weave gauze bandages and wrinkled elastic gauze bandages. You can also find spandex elastic gauze bandages and PBT elastic gauze bandages.
Moreover, you can also find cotton woven edge gauze bandages and viscose gauze bandages. The function of a gauze bandage is closely related to its type. It means reel gauze bandages are also called single bandages.
There are three materials: gauze, cotton, and elastic rolls. The different parts of the tape have other names – including the head, the tail, the body, the inner surface, the outer surface, the upper side, and the lower side.
In fact, the enhanced version of the reel gauze bandage is generally a double-ended gauze bandage. As the name suggests – it has two heads. Its function and size are roughly the same as that of the reel gauze bandage.
In addition, there is also a kind of hospital gauze bandage – known as a triangle gauze bandage. It is also called a triangle scarf. This gauze bandage is made of natural cotton cloth – that is, cotton cloth with four equal sides. Initially, a length of about one meter is cut diagonally – to make it into two large triangles.
Next, cut the finished triangle scarf from the centerline of the top edge to the bottom edge. It can be split into two relatively small triangle scarfs. Note that different parts have different names. They are: the bottom edge, vertex, and left and right points. The most crucial role of these bandages is to suspend the arm and forearm and hold it.
Why Should You Cover a Wound With a Gauze Bandage?
You may have heard that wounds need air to heal or breathe in so many years. Perhaps you might also have listened to your grandmother say if you leave a cut or scrape uncovered – it will form a scab and heal faster. But is that really true? Have you tried it before?
Once your bleeding stops, you should clean the wound. Next, you should apply a clean bandage and use a gauze bandage. Here is why:
- Air usually dries out the wound and promotes cell death, not healing.
- But covering the wound would help maintain its natural moisture that will help keep cells alive.
- Moreover, an exposed cut will pick up dirt and debris from the air.
- Remember a wound that heals in a moist env is less likely to leave a scar.
- An uncovered wound is likely to be painful.
- An uncovered wound also takes longer to heal.
How To Apply a Bandage?
The key points when applying a bandage are:
- First, make sure the patient is comfortable and tell them what you are doing.
- You should work from the side of the injury so you do not have to lean across their body.
- Keep the injured part of your body supported in the position it will be in when the bandage is on.
- Always use the right size bandage. Note that different parts of the body need different widths of bandage.
- Avoid covering fingers or toes when bandaging. Especially when using a gauze bandage to cover your limbs so that you can easily check the circulation.
- Apply the bandage firmly, but not tightly. Also secure the end by folding it over. Also tie a knot in the end. You can also use a tape or a bandage clip
- Once the bandage is on, ask if it feels too tight. You also need to check the circulation by pressing on a fingernail or a piece of skin until it turns pale. If the color in the area does not return straight away, the gauze bandage may be too tight, hence you should loosen it. In such a scenario, limbs can swell up after an injury. You also need to check the circulation every 10 minutes especially after you have put the bandage on.
Conclusion
You may ask whether scabs heal faster when moist or dry? No matter what you do, your wound might heal with or without a scab. A protective covering that the skin might form over the wound.
However, if you keep the wound covered and moist you will notice that you will be less likely to end up with a scar. And if you do end up with one, it will heal more quickly.
That is why it is important to keep wounds moist with a dab of petroleum jelly each day. A dry bandage instead if a gauze bandage might keep dirt and bacteria away. It will also help keep the wound moist, especially if you pair it with petroleum jelly. Keeping your wound covered and moist will reduce your chance of scarring too.
Read related articles on wound dressings, blood test, and more.
