Medical Gauze Guide

Content Updated: March 4, 2024

Gauze is a fabric that has many different uses, while 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. 

When it comes to medical gauze, you will have a lot of choices, so it is best to ask your doctor for a recommendation. If you are using medical gauze to treat an open wound, then you should make sure you are using sterile gauze. It is important that wounds are kept clean, and the best way to do that is to use sterile medical supplies. 

Using sterile gloves instead of regular nitrile gloves can keep a sterile zone for your wound. Your medical supply store should have a selection of types of gauze, such as sterile gauze pads, bandage rolls, nitrile gloves, and wound cleansers. All of these can help you avoid infection.

What is Gauze Used For?

Gauze is a staple in medical kits and is a multifaceted tool with a wide range of applications. While its primary use is in medical settings for wound care, its versatility extends to everyday first aid, cosmetic applications, and even various crafts and industrial uses.

Primary Uses in Medical Settings

• Gauze is commonly used for dressing wounds. Its soft, permeable nature allows it to protect the wound site while letting it breathe, which is crucial for healing.

• Gauze effectively absorbs blood, exudate, and other fluids exuding from wounds, maintaining a clean environment conducive to healing.

• Often, gauze is used to hold other dressings in place, providing additional support and ensuring the primary dressing remains intact over the wound.

Secondary Medical Uses

• In some cases, gauze is used in the debridement process, helping to remove dead tissue from wounds to promote better healing.

• Gauze can also be used to apply topical medications directly to wounds, ensuring an even distribution and gentle application.

• Beyond wound care, gauze is used in various medical procedures, including surgeries, where it aids in maintaining cleanliness and absorbing excess fluids.

Non-Medical Uses

• In homes and schools, gauze is a go-to for minor injuries, offering a quick and effective way to manage cuts and scrapes.

• The beauty industry utilizes gauze for facial treatments and skin care applications, valuing its gentle texture and absorbency.

• Surprisingly, gauze is also used in arts and crafts for its texture and in industrial settings for its filtering and padding properties.

The many applications of gauze extend far beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. Its role in medical care is irreplaceable, but its usefulness in everyday life, beauty routines, and even creative endeavors underscores its versatility.

Two Main Types of Medical Gauze

Woven 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 gauze pads or sponges. Woven gauze cannot be cut before being used, otherwise it will start to unravel. If cut, the debris or lint from the cotton material can get lost in the wound, which will delay healing. Woven gauze is a general gauze that is used as a secondary dressing. It should not be used directly against a wound because it can dry the wound out, which will make dressing removal painful and would damage any newly healed tissues.

Non Woven Gauze

Non-woven gauze is made from fibers that resemble a weave, but they are not woven; hey are pressed together and condensed. This tight pattern helps non-woven gauze absorb more wound fluid, which really means that it increases overall wicking and absorbency. Non-woven gauze has less loose lint than traditional woven gauze, which means fewer bits and pieces of gauze are left behind in your wound. Those small pieces of fluff and lint can cause problems because any type of debris in your wound can delay healing. Non-woven fibers are usually made with polyester or rayon, and sometimes they are blends of both. This gauze tends to be non-adhering, more durable, and more comfortable than woven gauze pads. Non-woven gauze can be used as a primary dressing. 

Different Styles of Medical Gauze

Petrolatum Dressings

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.

Antimicrobial / Impregnated Gauze

Impregnated gauze is a specialized form of medical dressing, designed to provide additional benefits to the wound healing process. These gauzes are saturated with various substances, such as medicine, oil, iodine, hydrogel, or antimicrobial agents like silver or iodine, which help to prevent bacterial infections in wounds. Impregnated gauze helps in the healing process, for example by improving absorption of drainage or reducing bacteria, which can play a significant role in preventing wound complications.

Gauze Rolls

Used for holding other wound dressings in place, gauze rolls can be wrapped around the body and secured with medical tape. They are also used to pad an injured area to increase comfort and protect tender wound sites. Most gauze rolls are not very absorbent which is why they are generally a secondary dressing. padding for comfort, and protection of tender wound sites. Gauze rolls can be cotton, elastic, or a nylon and latex mix, the pattern tends to be fluff dried with crinkle-weave. Most gauze rolls are not overly absorbent.

Gauze Pads

Gauze pads are also called gauze sponges, the terms can be used interchangeably, gauze sponges are not more absorbent, it is just another name for gauze pads. Gauze pads are folded into a square, the layers are then referred to as "ply". The ply level is how many layers the folded gauze creates, such as 8 ply or 12 ply. The higher the ply, the thicker the gauze square because it will have more layers. Gauze pads are available in sterile and non-sterile, if the gauze pad is going to be used in wound care then sterile is preferred. Gauze pads can be either woven or non woven and can come in a variety of sizes. The typical open weave of gauze helps absorb wound fluid as well as aiding in the cleaning of dead tissue from the skin. Pads like these can be made with a variety of materials and your medical professional will be able to tell you what kind of gauze pad your wound requires. Common sizes are 2" x 2", 3" x 3", and 4" x 4".

Conforming Gauze

Conforming gauze is a type of medical dressing designed to adapt to the contours of various body parts, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. This flexibility makes it ideal for dressing wounds located on joints or other areas where movement is frequent, as it stays in place without restricting motion. The soft, pliable nature of conforming gauze also minimizes discomfort for the patient, making it a preferred choice for both acute and chronic wound management.

Sterile vs Non 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 gauze 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. Sterile gauze is going to be packaged to prevent the contents from being exposed to outside surfaces or dirt. If you would like your sterile gauze to stay as sterile as possible before you apply it to the wound then you will want to create a sterile zone. 

To create a sterile zone, handle the gauze with clean hands while wearing sterile gloves. If you need to put the gauze down before applying it to the wound, only put it down on top of a new sterile drape. Once the sterile dressing comes into contact with a non sterile surface then it is no longer sterile. It takes patience and attention to detail to change wound dressings and this is why it should be left to a professional healthcare provider, unless you have been instructed on how to do it by your doctor. 

Some types of wounds need specific care and they could need specific types of gauze as well. 

Signs of Infection & When to all Your Doctor

Wounds can become infected which not only delays healing but it can also cause fevers and sickness. If you notice any of the following signs of infection, seek medical help and advice immediately.

• Redness expanding around your wound
• Increased swelling
• Increased levels of pain or tenderness
• Yellow, off-white, or green discharge draining from wound
• Change in smell, pungent and unpleasant smell emitting from the the wound
• Fever

The Integral Role of Gauze in Medical Care

Medical gauze plays an indispensable role in healthcare, from routine wound management to treating the surgical wounds of complex medical procedures. Its diverse forms, including standard, antimicrobial, impregnated, and conforming gauze, each cater to specific needs, enhancing patient care and aiding in the healing process. As medical technology advances, the fundamental importance of gauze remains constant, a testament to its effectiveness and versatility in the ever-evolving landscape of medical care.