Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Xeroform Dressing

What to expect

• For the first few days, fluid from your wound may drain through the Xeroform. This is normal. Xeroform is meant to stay moist.

• The wound site may be painful. Take pain medicine as directed by your health care provider.

• As your wound heals, the Xeroform will look crusty. It may itch. When this happens, the dressing should be changed.

• Once the Xeroform is removed, the skin around the wound will be pink or dark red with white flaky areas. Don't be alarmed. The pink color will go away in time.

Wound care

• Shower daily. But don't soak the dressing in water. If the dressing gets wet, pat it dry or put on a new one. Ask your health care provider if you can get the dressing wet or if it should be covered when in the shower. Don't take a bath while you have the dressing.

• Check the wound for signs of infection, like redness, swelling, drainage, or a bad smell.

• Change the dressing as directed by your provider. 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. 

• Apply lotion or moisturizing cream to the areas where you have trimmed off the Xeroform.

• Follow your provider's directions about whether to cover the Xeroform dressing.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as advised.

When to contact your health care provider

Contact your provider right away if you have:

• Increased redness, swelling, or warmth in the skin around the wound.

• Fluid buildup under the Xeroform.

• A bad smell coming from the wound.

• A fever above 100.4 °F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• Chills.

• Increasing pain.

• Bleeding.