
- Maintain a moist wound healing environment.
- Facilitate gas exchange.
- Manage bacteria balance.
- Decrease the surface necrosis of the wound.
- Protect the wound from further trauma.
- Enable easy removal and dressing change frequency.
- Be biocompatible, biodegradable, elastic, and nontoxic.
- Decrease wound pain by preventing exposure of the wound to air.
What are gauze pads and gauze sponges?
Gauze pads and gauze sponges are used in a number of different applications and are great for general cleaning, dressings, prepping, packing and debriding wounds. It can also be used as a temporary absorbent dressing over wounds.
Can you use gauze pads on open wounds?
For open wounds it is recommended to use sterile gauze only. Gauze pads and gauze sponges are used in a number of different applications and are great for general cleaning, dressings, prepping, packing and debriding wounds. It can also be used as a temporary absorbent dressing over wounds.
What are surgical sponges used for?
They are ordinarily made of gauze and are used to absorb blood and other fluids as well as clean wounds. When used in surgery, they are called surgical sponges .
What is gauze used for?
Medical Gauze Guide Gauze is a fabric that has many different uses, medical gauze is specifically used in wound care. Gauze pads, bandage rolls, and other medical dressings all take advantage of the highly absorbent quality of gauze. It is a versatile product and can be used by itself or it can be saturated with petroleum like in Xeroform.

What is a gauze and what is it used for?
gauze, light, open-weave fabric made of cotton when used for surgical dressings and of silk and other fibres when used for dress trimming. The name is derived from that of the Palestinian city of Gaza, where the fabric is thought to have originated. It is made either by a plain weave or by a leno weave.
What are gauze sponges non sterile used for?
These non-sterile gauze dressings can be used for general wound care, dressings, prepping, wound packing, and debriding wounds. Non-Sterile Gauze Sponges are packaged in 200-count packages with varying packs per case.
What's the difference between a gauze pad and a gauze sponge?
You would want to use gauze for cushioning or packing a wound, helping to heal the tissue from the inside out. The difference between these items are that gauze pads come with one per pack, while gauze sponges come with two or more per pack.
What happens if gauze is left in a wound?
Gauze is made out of cotton and is not absorbed by the body, therefore, if there is a wedge of gauze in a wound, often times there will be fluid buildup around it. If it is just stuck more deeply in the wound it would have to be removed surgically.
Can I use non sterile gauze on wound?
It is a totally clean product that can be used in the treatment of open wounds. Non sterile wound dressings or medical gauze should not be used on open wounds. They can be used for cushioning bruises or other types of closed wounds.
What is the difference between sterile and non sterile?
Medical kits can be sterile; meaning free of any and all bacteria and germs, and microorganisms. These packages can be non-sterile meaning that they are not free from germs or microorganisms.
What is non-woven gauze used for?
Gauzes & Non-Wovens They can be made with or without an adhesive border. They are used for cleansing, packing, and covering a variety of wounds. AMERX Health Care Corp.
Cotton Gauze
This form of gauze is most common. It is usually made from cotton fabric as this allows fluids to be released from the wound. Cotton gauze is lightweight and durable which eases the cleaning of an open wound. They can be found in a sponge version or in the form of a bandage roll.
Paraffin Gauze
Paraffin gauze can be used on surface wounds that leak fluid such as burns and minor abrasions. This gauze contains medical grade paraffin that is helpful in protecting the wound. Unlike cotton gauze, paraffin gauzes prevent the gauze from sticking to the wound, making it non-adherent.
Sterile Gauze Swabs
Sterile gauze swabs are useful for dressing wounds that other fabrics might stick on, and can be utilized for all types of wound application. They are compact and can be found with different absorbances depending on your needs. Sterile gauze swabs can protect the surface of the open wound comfortably and absorb fluids from the wound.
Non-Sterile Gauze Swabs
Non-sterile gauze swabs can be placed over a wound before it is properly bandaged. It is often used for closed wounds, such as bruises. They can effectively keep wounds clean and keep bacteria from entering the wound. Since sterile gauze swabs are generally more expensive, this is a cheaper option if the wound is not open.
Two Main Types of Medical Gauze
Woven gauze has a loose open weave. The loose nature of the weave allows the fluid from the wound to be absorbed into the fibers. The open weave helps the wound fluid to pass through the gauze and be absorbed by other more absorbent dressings such as a gauze pads or sponges.
Different Styles of Medical Gauze
These gauze dressings are coated or saturated with pharmaceutical materials, such as petroleum jelly and they are used because they will not stick to wounds. They are also an occlusive dressing which means the dressing prevents air from reaching the wound. This will protect the wound from bacteria and it can help medicine stay in place.
Sterile vs Non Sterile
Define sterile: in regards to wound care, sterile means that the product is individually packaged and is free from dirt, bacteria, or other living microorganisms. It is a totally clean product that can be used in the treatment of open wounds. Non sterile wound dressings or medical gauze should not be used on open wounds.
