Dressing type	Description	Indication	Advantages	Disadvantages	Example (brand names)
Transparent film	Adhesive, semipermeable, polyurethane membrane that allows water to vaporize and cross the barrier	Management of stage I and II pressure ulcers with light or no exudates May be used with hydrogel or hydrocolloid dressings for full-thickness wounds	Retains moisture Impermeable to bacteria and other contaminants Facilitates autolytic debridement Allows for wound observation Does not require secondary dressing (e.g., tape, wrap)	Not recommended for infected wounds or wounds with drainage Requires border of intact skin for adhesion May dislodge in high-friction areas Not recommended on fragile skin	Bioclusive, Carrafilm, Dermaview, Mefilm, Opsite, Polyskin, Suresite, 3M Tegaderm, Uniflex
Hydrogel	Water- or glycerin-based amorphous gels, impregnated gauze, or sheet dressings Amorphous and impregnated gauze fill the dead space tissue and can be used for deep wounds	Management of stages II, III, and IV ulcers; deep wounds; and wounds with necrosis or slough	Soothing, reduces pain Rehydrates wound bed Facilitates autolytic debridement Fills dead tissue space Easy to apply and remove Can be used in infected wounds or to pack deep wounds	Not recommended for wounds with heavy exudate Dehydrates easily if not covered Difficult to secure (amorphous and impregnated gauze need secondary dressing) May cause maceration	Acryderm, Aquaflo, Aquagauze, Carradres, Carraguaze, Carrasmart, Carrasyn, Dermagauze, Dermasyn, Felxigel, SAF-Gel, Solosite, 3M Tegagel, Transigel
Alginate	Derived from brown seaweed; composed of soft, nonwoven fibers shaped into ropes or pads	May be used as primary dressing for stages III and IV ulcers, wounds with moderate to heavy exudate or tunneling, and infected or noninfected wounds	Absorbs up to 20 times its weight Forms a gel within the wound Conforms to the shape of the wound Facilitates autolytic debridement Fills in dead tissue space Easy to apply and remove	Not recommended with light exudate or dry scarring or for superficial wounds May dehydrate the wound bed Requires secondary dressing	Algicell, Algisite M, Carboflex, Carraginate, Dermaginate, Kalginate, Kaltostat, Melgisorb, Restore Calcicare, Sorbsan, 3M Tegagen
Foam	Provides a moist environment and thermal insulation; available as pads, sheets, and pillow dressings	May be used as primary dressing (to provide absorption and Insulation) or as secondary dressing (for wounds with packing) for stages II to IV ulcers with variable drainage	Nonadherent, although some have adherent borders Repels contaminants Easy to apply and remove Absorbs light to heavy exudate May be used under compression Recommended for fragile skin	Not effective for wounds with dry eschar May require a secondary dressing	Allevyn, Biatain, Carrasmart, Curafoam, Dermalevin, Epigard, Hydrocell, Lyofoam, Mepilex, Optifoam, Polyderm, Polymem, SOF-foam, Tielle, Vigifoam
Hydrocolloid	Occlusive or semiocclusive dressings composed of materials such as gelatin and pectin; available in various forms (e.g., wafers, pastes, powders)	May be used as primary or secondary dressing for stages II to IV ulcers, wounds with slough and necrosis, or wounds with light to moderate exudates Some may be used for stage I ulcers	Impermeable to bacteria and other contaminants Facilitates autolytic debridement Self-adherent, molds well Allows observation, if transparent May be used under compression products (compression stockings, wraps, Unna boot) May be applied over alginate dressing to control drainage	Not recommended for wounds with heavy exudate, sinus tracts, or infection May curl at edges May injure fragile skin upon removal Contraindicated for wounds with packing	Carrasmart, Combiderm, Comfeel, Dermafilm, Duoderm, Exuderm, Hyperion, MPM Excel, Nuderm, Primacol, RepliCare, Restore, Sorbex, 3M Tegaderm, Ultec
Moistened gauze	2 × 2- or 4 × 4-inch square of gauze soaked in saline for packing	May be used for stages III and IV ulcers and for deep wounds, especially those with tunneling or undermining	Accessible	Must be remoistened often Time-consuming to apply	Fluffed Kerlix, Plain Nugauze