subject: Different Types Of Gauze For Many Afflictions [print this page] Choosing what kind of gauze to have supplied in your home medical kit can have many different options, but learning about what medical gauze is and what it is made of can help in your decision. Medical gauze is a sterile fabric used to cover or wrap open wounds so that debris will be kept out and healing can begin. The material used is usually made from cotton or a blend of synthetic fibers that have the properties to let the wound breathe while protecting the injury all in one.
Many of the brands of gauze have different thicknesses to offer more protection than others. Cotton medical gauze is generally woven from fine fibers of cotton. Its weave may be loose, allowing large amounts of air to penetrate the wound below it, or tight, keeping the wound well insulated from the environment. The choice between loose or tight weave gauze is generally dictated by the specific nature of a wound and its stage in the healing process.
There are different shapes and sizes of medical gauze bandages but they are generally made into large or small rolls to be able to be administered easily around the neck, arm, or legs and body. If enough is used as a wrapping it could immobilize a limb to keep from damaging it any more till more qualified help arrives. The type of gauze used for this procedure is classified as dry gauze. This has not been infused with antibacterial agents and will be the best at absorbing ooze that all large wounds emit. This dressing will have to be changed many times during the course of the healing process and you should always have a large stock in your home medical kit and/or office if you are in charge of the medical supplies for them also.
Other types of medical gauze are treated with a supplemental healing agent such as petroleum jelly or antiseptic at the time of their manufacture. These healing agents can perform several functions. First of all, they can keep the wound moisturized. This in turn may prevent the gauze from adhering to the wound. Finally, some healing agents have antibacterial properties, which can help lower the risk of infection at the site of a wound.
Taking the time to be proactive about have medical gauze on hand in your home medical kit will give you peace of mind that you have the supplies to take care of minor to moderate accidents when they happen.
