Dressings and Bandages for Every Purpose and Need

Dressings for Every Type of Injury

Dressings have a very long tradition in medicine, even though the types of bandages have changed repeatedly over time. For example, it is known that indigenous peoples treated wounds with natural materials and immobilised them in this way. This can also support wound healing. Dressing materials made from linen and cotton already existed in ancient Egypt and played a major role in mummification. It is likely that the Egyptians were also aware that these materials could be used to cover wounds. Until the mid-19th century, Western medicine still held the belief that a dressing that had led to a successfully healed wound in one patient could also be beneficial for another patient. From a hygienic point of view, this is hardly imaginable today.

While dressings were previously used mainly to cover and protect wounds, the benefits of moist wound care have been known since the mid-20th century. Hier spielen Alginates and breathable films play an important role here. Gauze bandages and plasters such as Leukoplast also serve to cover and secure dressings. In addition, there are ready-made dressings such as  elastic finger bandages. For external wound care, non-woven compresses are still considered highly effective. Small injuries are best covered with a wound plaster, for example the Cosmopor wound plaster for patients with sensitive skin.