Dressings can be broadly divided into three groups:
- Adhesive plasters.
- Classic wound dressing material.
- Emergency bandages.
The most well known example of an adhesive plaster dressing is the common household elastoplast. For larger wounds, there are adhesive plasters available where the adhesive layer over the wound dressing seals on all four sides. This fixing layer is often stretchable and ‘breathable’.
The classic wound dressing comprises three separate layers – the layer covering the wound, the absorbent layer and a fixing layer. The fixing layer can be an adhesive plaster, elastic net bandage or a roller bandage.
The emergency bandage is a dressing pad onto which two strips of bandage are attached. The emergency bandage is folded in such a way that the dressing pad can be placed on the wound without the material becoming contaminated.
The elastic net bandage is made of cotton yarn combined with natural rubber and synthetic fibres. This bandage is woven in a very loosely woven tubular structure. The synthetic and rubber fibres make the bandage highly elastic. By cutting through the threads in the network, holes can be cut for parts of the body without the material tearing. These properties make the bandage suitable for fixing bandaging material to the skin, particularly at sites where roller bandages may quickly shift and slacken, such as joints and blunt body parts.
Net bandage offers optimal freedom of movement, does not stop the blood supply and, through the elasticity and the friction from the rubber in the fibres, keeps the bandaging material in place. Furthermore, the loosely woven structure of the bandage promotes ventilation. The elastic net bandage does not cover the skin and bandaging materials, but only keeps the material in place. A net bandage is less suitable for fixing fluffy bandaging material.
To prevent fluff being given off, these materials should be covered with gauze or a roller bandage before applying the net bandage. In case of bleeding or exudative wounds, a moisture-impermeable layer should be applied under the net bandage.
The net bandage can also be used to cover a roller bandage. The net bandage prevents the bandage from fraying and shifting. It is manufactured in various widths, so that it can be used for any part of the body and for patients of all ages.