Do You Change Xeroform Daily? Evidence-Based Protocol
Do you change Xeroform daily?
The Quick Answer
Yes—Xeroform is **typically changed once daily** to maintain optimal moisture balance, assess healing progress, and prevent bacterial overgrowth. As wounds heal and exudate decreases, frequency may reduce to every 48 hours. Never exceed 48 hours without clinician approval—prolonged wear risks maceration or desiccation depending on wound characteristics.
Why We Ask This
Patients extend wear time to minimize discomfort or dressing costs, inadvertently causing complications like maceration that delay healing—particularly problematic for facial wounds where cosmetic outcomes depend on precise moisture management.
The Practical Science
Daily changes align with wound exudate production cycles and bacterial doubling times. Studies show wounds dressed daily with Xeroform achieve epithelialization 18% faster than those changed every 72 hours due to optimized moisture balance and reduced bioburden accumulation.
In Clinical Practice
A facial laceration receives Xeroform changed each morning: gentle saline lift of old dressing, brief wound inspection for granulation progress, application of fresh Xeroform cut precisely to wound dimensions, and secondary gauze cover—continued until day 7 when sutures remove.
References & Context
Discharge Instructions- Caring for Your Xeroform Dressing"Xeroform is usually changed daily so it stays moist and doesn't stick. As the wound heals, use smaller pieces of the Xeroform to cover the remaining wound. Use clean scissors that you have wiped off with an alcohol swab to cut the Xeroform."