Dressing	Characteristics	Examples
Absorbent	Primary or secondary dressing	Calcium alginate with or without silver, hydrofiber with or without silver, super absorbent dressing, surgical pad
Cadexomer iodine (Iodosorb)	Releases free iodine when exposed to wound exudate	Gel, pads
Capillary action	Hydrophilic fibers between low-adherent contact layers	Hydroconductive, polyester/viscose
Collagenase	Used in enzymatic debridement	Gel
Hydrocolloid	Gel-forming agents in an adhesive compound laminated onto a flexible, water-resistant outer film or foam	Alginate to increase fluid absorption, with or without an adhesive border, multiple shapes and sizes
Hydrogels	Starch polymer and water that can absorb or rehydrate	Sheets, gel, beads
Hydrophilic polyurethane foam	Variable absorption, silicone or nonsilicone coating	With or without an adhesive border, with or without a silicone contact layer, multiple shapes and sizes
Iodine-impregnated	Releases free iodine	Tape, nonadherent pads
Low-adherence and wound contact	Nonmedicated or medicated	Oil emulsion gauze, petrolatum gauze, petrolatum with bismuth gauze
Medical honey	Possible antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties; absorption based on associated dressing material or gel	Gel, paste, hydrocolloid, alginate, or adhesive foam
Odor absorbent	Charcoal	Flexible fiber with or without silver
Other antimicrobial	Chlorhexidine (Peridex), antimicrobial dyes, or hydrophobic layer	Antimicrobial dyes in a flexible or solid foam pad; hydrophobic layer available as a ribbon, pad, swab, or gel
Permeable films and membranes	Permeable to water vapor and oxygen but not to water or microorganisms	With or without an absorbent center or adhesive border
Protease-modulating matrix	Collagen	Collagen matrix dressing with or without silver
Silver-impregnated	Silver ions (thought to be antimicrobial)	Silver hydrocolloid, silver mesh, nonadhesive, calcium alginate, other forms
Soft polymer	Silicone polymer in a nonadherent layer, moderately absorbent	Typically, a sheet cut to fit the wound