Why Use Gauze?

According to Wikipedia, gauze is a thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave. Originally, gauze was made of silk and was used for clothing. It's now used for many different things-- most importantly it's used for medical purposes. Gauze used as a medical dressing is usually made of cotton. Medical gauze is useful for dressing wounds where other fabrics might stick to the wound. Gauze can be coated with polymers that inhibit sticking even further. There are other types of specialty medical gauze with different properties that assist in healing patients. Click ahead to read more.

Hemostatic gauze is gauze which contains a natural collagen-like material that effectively stems bleeding and aids in clot formation and healing. X-ray detectable gauze is radiopaque gauze used for diagnosis during X-ray exams. Gauze can be impregnated with a thick, creamy mixture of zinc oxide and calamine to promote healing. Unna boot bandages often are manufactured in this way, both with and without calamine. Covidien's Excilon AMD Sterile Anti-Microbial gauze sponges contain 0.2% PHMB, which is an antimicrobial agent protecting against microorganisms such as MRSA.

Wound dressing is extremely important. Bandaging a wound, packing a wound, and promoting wound healing is important. The bandaging material often determines how fast or slow a wound will heal. Using the correct gauze and type of bandage is the best way to promote healing. Patients with chronic wounds, such as patients with diabetes need to pay extra attention to wound care management. Using the right type of medical gauze will help these chronic patients avoid pain, infection and further potential wounds.