Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Xeroform® Dressing

What to expect

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

• The wound site may be painful until it's dry. Take pain medicine as directed by your healthcare provider.

• As your wound heals, the Xeroform will look crusty. It may itch.

• Once the Xeroform is removed, 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 healthcare provider if you can get the dressing wet, or if it should be covered when in the shower. Don't submerge your dressing in a bath.

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

• Change dressing as directed by your healthcare 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. 

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

• Follow your healthcare provider's directions about whether or not to cover the Xeroform dressing.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as advised.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you any of the following occur:

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

• Fluid buildup under the Xeroform

• Bad smell coming from the wound

• Fever above 100.4 °F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Chills

• Increasing pain

• Bleeding