Dressing	Injury type	Guidance for use	Examples
Add moisture
Hydrogels	Noninfected Stage 2 injuries with minimal drainage	Preferred for dry wound beds that would benefit from autolytic debridement; barrier protection may be added around wound to reduce risk of maceration	Intrasite, Duoderm, Derma-Gel, Allevyn Hydrogel, cellulose fiber dressings
Moist gauze	Alternative dressing for any injury type	Use when other wound dressing types are not an option; associated with slower wound healing; costly in professional time, as frequent visits for dressing changes are needed; can damage wound bed; use of impregnated gauze should be considered	Kerlix, Curity
Retain moisture
Films	Secondary dressing for any injury type	Avoid use over enzymatic debriding agents	Carrafilm, Opsite, Uniflex, 3M Tegaderm
Remove moisture
Calcium alginate	Stage 3 and 4 injuries with moderate exudate	Avoid use in dry wound beds; can maintain a physiologic environment	Curasorb, Algisite M, Algicell, Carrasorb
Foams	Stage 2 and greater pressure injuries with moderate or heavy exudate	Use in deep injuries, with additional use of filler dressings to occupy empty space; requires secondary dressing to extend duration of use	Allevyn, Curafoam, Lyofoam, Mepilex, Tielle
Hydrocolloids	Noninfected Stage 2 injuries	Must be removed carefully from fragile skin because removal can cause trauma; does not require frequent dressing changes	Tegasorb, Hydrocol, 3M Tegaderm, Hollister Restore, Duoderm, Comfeel
Antimicrobial agents*
Calcium alginate gels	Injuries with or at risk of biofilms	Prevents and destroys biofilms	Dermaginate, Tegaderm Alginate
Honey	Injuries with or at risk of biofilms	Prevents biofilm growth and extension of colonization; honey made with Leptospermum species is most effective; medical-grade, gamma-irradiated product should be used	Medihoney, Activon Tulle Honey, Dynarex L-Mesitran
Iodine	Injuries with or at risk of biofilms	Prevents biofilm growth and destroys active biofilms; avoid in patients with iodine allergies or kidney and thyroid dysfunction; contraindicated for extensive burns	Iodoflex, Inadine
Wound dressings impregnated with silver salts or metals	Injuries with or at risk of biofilms	Breaks down active biofilm; avoid in patients with silver sensitivity; must be changed more often if there is heavy exudate	Aquacel Ag, Silvercel, Mepilex Ag
Surfactant	Injuries with or at risk of biofilms	Prevents biofilm development and improves effectiveness of antibiotics; may require initial daily application	Plurogel