This information is for patients and carers working with healthcare professionals to improve wound care. Looking after your own wound helps improve your self-confidence, control and quality of life. It also helps reduce the risk of infection.

You may also find this practical demonstration video by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust helpful.

Preparing to change the dressing

Clean the table or surface you are going to put the new dressings on with sanitising wipes or a solution of warm water and detergent, such as washing up liquid.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially between fingers and the palms of hands. Dry hands with a clean towel or kitchen roll.

Gather what you need. This may include:

• a dressing pack or similar which typically contains gauze, gloves, tray, apron and a waste bag
• dressing/s
• clean scissors – the blades can be wiped with a sanitising wipe
• fluid to clean the wound and around the wound, such as drinkable tap water or antiseptic solution
• cream for the skin around your wound
• adhesive tape (if needed).

Prepare your materials by opening the dressing pack, putting on the apron – if you are not the patient – and putting the waste bag to one side.

Spread out the dressing pack wrapping so you have a clean surface. Open the new dressing/s and drop onto the clean surface of the dressing pack wrapping.

Removing the old dressing

Carefully remove the old dressing without touching the part that been in contact with the wound. Do not touch the wound.

If the dressing is stuck, soak with water or saline and wait for the dressing to loosen – allow a bit of time and avoid pulling as this will be painful and will damage the wound.

If the dressing is adhesive or has an adhesive border, avoid peeling it off. Instead, lift one or more corners of the dressing and stretch it horizontally along the skin surface to break the adhesive bond. Take your time and continue gently stretching until the entire dressing lifts.

Place the dirty dressing in the waste bag and wash your hands.

Cleaning the wound and applying the new dressing

If you have sterile or clean gloves, put them on. If not, try to avoid touching the wound or anything that will be in contact with the wound.

If you want to clean the wound itself, clean from the centre outwards using the solution recommended by your healthcare professional, for example drinkable tap water, saline or antiseptic solution, and gauze from the dressing pack. Clean the skin around the wound.

Make sure the skin around the wound is dry. If your healthcare professional has advised you to, apply cream to the skin around the wound but avoid where any adhesive tape or dressing will go or the dressing will not stick.

Put the new dressing on the wound, following the instructions that came with the dressing.

Clear up, put the sealed waste bag in the bin and wash your hands. The waste bag can go in your usual rubbish collection unless you have been advised otherwise.

Where do I get more dressings from?

Your healthcare professional will advise where to get more dressings from. If you are not sure who to contact, please speak to your GP or the Community Nursing Service.

You are responsible for asking for more dressings as they begin to run out. Some items may need a prescription, please speak to your healthcare professional about this.

How can I tell if my wound is improving or getting worse?

One way to keep a record of your wound healing is to take a photo. If you have downloaded and registered on the Patient WoundMatrix app please take photos as agreed with your nurse for virtual support and advice – you will also be able to check progress of your wound via the app.

If you aren’t registered on the app, you could save photos on your device to monitor the healing progress. You need a digital camera or mobile phone with a camera and to be able to see the wound site easily and safely.

These tips will help:

• Use the automatic settings on your camera and use something plain as a background. If possible, include a ruler in the photo.
• Make sure you are comfortable and there is plenty of light.
• Make sure the photo will only show parts of your body you are comfortable showing. Avoid photographing any identifying marks such as your face, tattoos or birthmarks.

Monitor the wound

When you are changing the dressing, monitor for signs of infection or other problems such as:

• more wound leakage than usual
• more pain than usual
• increasing redness around the wound
• an unusual smell
• the wound getting bigger
• feeling generally unwell.

Who should I contact if I am worried?

If you have any concerns about your wound or dressing supplies, contact your healthcare professional, GP or the Community Nursing Service. If you aren’t sure what to do and are worried about your wound, you can contact NHS 111.