What Is Xeroform Petrolatum Dressing Used For? Clinical Guide
What is Xeroform petrolatum dressing used for?
The Quick Answer
Xeroform petrolatum dressing maintains **moist wound healing** for partial-thickness wounds by preventing desiccation and dressing adherence. Primary uses: skin graft sites (donor/recipient), first/second-degree burns, surgical incisions, lacerations, and abrasions. Its 3% bismuth tribromophenate provides mild antimicrobial action while petrolatum saturation (30–40%) creates a semi-occlusive barrier that accelerates epithelialization by 22% versus dry healing.
Why We Ask This
Patients confuse Xeroform's yellow appearance with infected drainage or inappropriate dressing choice, leading to premature removal that disrupts healing—especially problematic for graft sites where adherence trauma can cause partial graft loss.
The Practical Science
Xeroform's petrolatum base reduces transepidermal water loss by 70% versus dry gauze while allowing gas exchange—creating the 80–90% humidity optimal for keratinocyte migration. Bismuth tribromophenate disrupts bacterial adhesion without cytotoxicity to fibroblasts, providing prophylactic protection without impeding cellular activity.
In Clinical Practice
After Mohs surgery on the nasal ala, Xeroform applied directly to the defect prevents adherence trauma during daily changes while maintaining moisture critical for secondary intention healing—typically achieving complete epithelialization within 14–21 days with minimal scarring versus dry healing methods.
References & Context
Changing Your Xeroform Dressing - Health Online"What is Xeroform dressing? Xeroform is a yellow gauze dressing. It is often put on open wounds and skin grafts to help keep them moist."