What Wounds Require Xeroform Dressing? Clinical Indications
What kind of wounds do you use Xeroform on?
The Quick Answer
Xeroform is ideal for **partial-thickness wounds** requiring moist healing: skin grafts (donor/recipient sites), first/second-degree burns, surgical incisions, abrasions, and lacerations. Avoid for heavily exuding wounds (causes maceration), dry eschar-covered wounds (requires hydrogels first), or third-degree burns (needs specialized antimicrobial dressings). Its petrolatum base prevents adherence while bismuth provides mild antimicrobial protection.
Why We Ask This
Clinicians inappropriately apply Xeroform to wounds with mismatched exudate levels—using it on highly draining venous ulcers (causing periwound maceration) or dry necrotic wounds (failing to rehydrate tissue)—both scenarios delaying healing through moisture imbalance.
The Practical Science
Xeroform's semi-occlusive nature maintains 80–90% humidity at the wound interface—optimal for epithelialization in wounds with light-to-moderate exudate. Its petrolatum saturation (30–40%) prevents adherence trauma during dressing changes, critical for fragile granulation tissue in graft sites.
In Clinical Practice
Following split-thickness skin grafting, Xeroform applied directly to the donor site prevents adherence trauma during daily changes while maintaining moisture critical for re-epithelialization—typically achieving complete coverage within 10–14 days with minimal scarring versus dry healing methods.
References & Context
Amazon.com: McKesson Xeroform Petrolatum Dressing - Amazon.com"Xeroform Petrolatum Dressings The dressings are easy to use and suitable for self-medication at home. Their occlusive properties help wound medication stay in place. Use them for small surgical incisions, first- and second-degree burns, and skin abrasions."