What are Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings?

Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings are a primary, non-adherent solution for creating an ideal wound healing environment and absorbing exudate. Each uses fine, soft, non-adherent gauze construction impregnated with a white petrolatum and 3% bismuth tribromophenate solution.

This combination conforms to the wound bed, allows for painless removal and can be used across a range of conditions, including pressure ulcers and tunneling wounds. Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings are designed for home wound care and in wrap form for operating room settings.

What Is a Petrolatum Dressing?

In general, petrolatum dressings improve upon traditional gauze. The low cost and conformability gave gauze an edge for years. However, the material can adhere to the surface of the wound, causing pain and tissue damage upon removal and increasing maceration risks.

Petrolatum-impregnated gauze dressings like Xeroform offer a number of benefits:

• Petrolatum prevents the material from sticking to the wound, offering cleaner, less painful dressing changes, even when used with a secondary dressing.
• A smaller pore size helps retain moisture and any creams applied to the wound bed. This prevents the wound from drying out and helps reduce biofilm formation.
• The healing process is less likely to be disturbed, allowing new tissue to form without interruption.
• The dressing adapts to a range of shapes and configurations, allowing it to be used on multiple body parts.

How Do Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings Work?

The combination of petrolatum and 3% bismuth tribromophenate prevents the dressing from sticking to the wound bed and creates a moist healing environment. Once applied, Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings:

• Conform to the body part being dressed.
• Provide a layer of sterility in an operating room environment.
• Help the wound heal as the dressing absorbs exudate.
• Reduce potential odors.
• Won’t damage existing or new tissue during dressing changes.

What Is Xeroform Used For?

Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings are designed to assist with addressing:

• First- and second-degree burns
• Skin grafts
• Light- to medium-exudate wounds
• Surgical wounds
• Donor sites
• New circumcision sites
• Lacerations
• Abrasions

Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings should not be used on infected wounds.

Xeroform for Venous Ulcers

Petrolatum dressings like Xeroform are an option for helping heal venous ulcers. In this regard, Xeroform dressings:

• Hold onto exudate while reducing leaks to prevent maceration.
• Create a moist healing environment through thermal insulation, keeping the wound at the ideal temperature.
• Help maintain the wound’s pH.
• Provide a degree of permeability: excess moisture can evaporate, but bacteria won’t enter through the dressing.
• Help control infection.
• Lessen trauma and pain during dressing removals, and won’t damage granulating tissue.
• Allow for comfortable wear.

How to Use Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings

To apply Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings:

• First cleanse the wound with sterile water to remove debris.
• Dry the periwound skin with a soft, clean cloth.
• Apply the Xeroform gauze dressing directly to the wound after applying any lotion or cream directly to the wound bed.
• Apply a non-adherent secondary dressing on top.

Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings should be changed daily, based on your doctor’s recommendations and the amount of exudate absorbed. Used Xeroform and secondary dressings should be discarded rather than reused.

Sources:

• https://www.woundsource.com/product/xeroform-petrolatum-dressing
• https://www.exmed.net/What-is-Xeroform-Sterile-Petrolatum-Gauze-Dressing
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314267008_Dressings_and_topical_agents_for_treating_venous_leg_ulcers_Reviews
• https://www.woundsource.com/blog/overview-petrolatum-impregnated-gauze-wound-dressings