Wound Care at Home - A Practical Guide to Serious Wound Care

Ulcers, pressure sores and burns all need the same basics: clean gently, keep the area moist and protected, and cover it. Here is how home wound care works, and where Dermaden® Advanced Wound Care Cream fits in.

Dermaden Advanced Wound Care Cream tube and box on a marble counter with green leaves

Three steps for every wound

  1. Clean
  2. Protect
  3. Cover

Why a Moist, Covered Wound Does Better

The single most useful idea in home wound care: skin recovers best when the surface is kept moist and protected, not left to dry out.

Many of us grew up "letting a wound breathe" until a hard scab formed. Wound care has moved on. When the surface of a wound dries out, the body has to build new skin underneath a stiff crust, and that crust cracks easily every time the skin moves.

Kept moist and covered, the surface stays soft. New skin cells at the edges can travel across it more easily, the area is more comfortable, and it is less likely to crack or catch on clothing.

Moist does not mean wet. A wound sitting in too much fluid makes the surrounding skin soft, white and fragile. The aim is balance: enough moisture to stay soft and flexible, with any excess fluid taken up by the right dressing.

That is the idea behind everything on this page and in our guides: clean gently, keep the area protected and moist, and cover it with a dressing that suits the wound.

Clean, protect, cover. Three steps that work for almost every wound.

Types of Wounds and How They Differ

Different wounds start differently, but the home care principles stay the same.

Venous leg ulcer just above the ankle, with brownish stained skin around it
What a venous leg ulcer often looks like: a shallow, uneven wound just above the ankle, with brownish, stained skin and some swelling around it. An illustration made for this guide; every wound looks different, and a doctor or nurse confirms what you have.
WoundWhat it isCommon causesHome care focus
Minor burnBurns guideHeat damage to the top layers of skin: red and sore, sometimes with a blisterHot pans, steam, hot drinks, curling ironsCool it first, leave blisters intact, then protect and cover
Diabetic ulcerDiabetic ulcers guideAn open wound, often on the foot, that is slow to closeReduced feeling, slower blood flow, pressure from walkingFollow the care team's plan, keep it moist and protected, take the pressure off
Venous leg ulcerAn open wound on the lower leg where blood pools in the veinsWeak leg veins, long-term swelling of the legsFollow the care team's plan, keep it moist and protected, compression as prescribed
Pressure sorePressure sores guideDamage from constant pressure over a bony areaLong hours in a bed or chairRelieve pressure, check the skin daily, protect fragile areas
BlisterBlisters & burnsFluid trapped under the top layer of skinFriction from shoes, minor burnsDon't pop it, cushion and cover; if it breaks, keep it clean and covered

How to Clean a Wound at Home

Gentle beats harsh. Clean water does most of the work.

  1. Wash your hands

    Wash with soap and water before touching the wound. Disposable gloves help if you are caring for someone else.

  2. Rinse with clean water

    Hold the area under cool running tap water, or rinse with saline. Wash the skin around it with mild soap, keeping soap out of the wound itself.

  3. What to skip

    • Harsh liquids

      Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and iodine can damage delicate new skin. Plain water or saline is gentler.

    • Cotton wool

      Fibers can stick in the wound. Use clean gauze to pat dry, and tweezers cleaned with alcohol for visible grit.

    • Scrubbing

      Rubbing breaks fragile skin. Pat the area dry, then apply a thin protective layer and cover.

Wound Dressing Types Compared

The right cover keeps the wound clean, moist and protected without sticking to it.

Whatever you choose, change it whenever it gets wet or dirty, and follow the directions on the pack.

DressingBest forHow it helpsGood to know
Adhesive bandageSmall cuts and grazesQuick cover with a small non-stick padAvoid on thin, fragile skin, where the adhesive can tear it
Non-stick padMinor burns, fragile skin around a woundCovers without sticking to the surfaceHold in place with a light wrap or tape on healthy skin
Gauze and tapeLarger areasBreathable, absorbs light fluidPlain gauze can stick, so put a non-stick layer underneath
Foam dressingWounds with more fluid, pressure areasAbsorbs excess fluid and cushionsComes in shapes for heels, elbows and the lower back
HydrocolloidSmall, shallow wounds and blistersForms a soft gel that keeps the area moistCan stay on for several days, as directed on the pack
Transparent filmShallow wounds, keeping a dressing in placeThin, waterproof, lets you see the skinNot for wounds that leak fluid

How Dermaden's NMBM Layer Fits In

One thin layer between cleaning and covering, doing five jobs at once.

Dermaden® Advanced Wound Care Cream uses the maker's NMBM technology: a Natural Matrix Bio-Polymer Membrane. Spread a thin layer after cleaning, and it settles into a flexible protective membrane that works like a light, temporary dressing.

It fits the moist-and-covered approach: it helps keep the area moist and balanced, then your usual breathable dressing goes on top. Dermaden is naturally derived, contains no antibiotics, and is made in Israel.

  • Protective barrier

    Covers and shields the area, like a temporary dressing.

  • Moisture balance

    Helps keep the skin from drying out, without leaving it soaked.

  • pH balance

    Helps keep the skin's surface at a balanced pH.

  • Fluid management

    Helps manage excess fluid from the wound area.

  • Nourishing amino acids

    Supplies amino acids that nourish the skin.

Build a Home Wound-Care Kit

Everything for daily wound care, in one box you can find in a hurry.

Keep it somewhere cool and dry, check it every few months, and replace anything opened, used or past its date.

  • Saline or clean bottled water for rinsing when there is no tap nearby
  • Mild, unscented soap for the skin around the wound
  • Sterile gauze pads for patting dry and padding
  • Non-stick pads and adhesive bandages in a few sizes
  • Paper tape and a light wrap to hold dressings without tearing skin
  • Small scissors and tweezers for cutting dressings and lifting out grit
  • Disposable gloves and cotton swabs for caring for someone else, and for applying creams
  • A tube of Dermaden®: a thin protective layer between cleaning and covering

We Ship Nationwide

All 50 states, direct to your door.

We sell Dermaden® directly to customers online: 1.35 fl oz (40 ml) for $49, good for a first try or a travel kit, or 3.38 fl oz (100 ml) for $89, about 27% less per ml for ongoing care. Shop Dermaden.

Questions About Using Dermaden?

Tell us what you're caring for, and we'll help you use Dermaden the right way.

Our own team answers every call and message, whether you are caring for yourself, a child or a parent at home.

Shop at dermadenus.com, call +1 (848) 389-6474, or email in**@********us.com. Prefer to write? Use the form and we'll get back to you.

Send us a message and our team will get back to you.

Wound Care Questions People Ask

Should a wound be kept moist or left to dry out?

Kept moist and covered. A moist surface stays soft and flexible, new skin cells move across it more easily, and it is less likely to crack. Moist does not mean soaking wet: the right dressing takes up any excess fluid.

What is the best way to clean a minor wound?

Wash your hands, then rinse the wound under cool running tap water or with saline. Wash the skin around it with mild soap, pat dry with clean gauze, apply a thin protective layer and cover it.

Should I use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on a wound?

It is better not to. Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and iodine can damage delicate new skin. Clean water or saline is gentler and works well for daily wound care.

How often should I change a dressing?

Whenever it gets wet or dirty, and as directed on the dressing's pack. Many simple dressings are changed once a day; some, like hydrocolloids, are designed to stay on for several days.

Should I cover a wound or let it breathe?

Cover it. A breathable dressing keeps the area clean, moist and protected from rubbing, which suits most wounds better than leaving them open to the air.

What should be in a home wound-care kit?

Saline or clean water, mild soap, sterile gauze, non-stick pads, adhesive bandages in several sizes, paper tape, small scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, cotton swabs and a protective cream such as Dermaden®.

What is Dermaden® and how do I use it?

Dermaden® Advanced Wound Care Cream is a naturally derived cream made in Israel. After cleaning, apply a thin layer one to three times a day, as directed on the pack, then cover with a breathable dressing.

Does Dermaden contain antibiotics?

No. Dermaden® is naturally derived and contains no antibiotics. It works by forming a protective membrane over the skin.

Which size of Dermaden should I buy?

The 1.35 fl oz (40 ml) tube is $49 and suits a first try or a travel kit. The 3.38 fl oz (100 ml) tube is $89 and costs about 27% less per ml, which suits ongoing care. Both ship to all 50 states.

Dermaden® Advanced Wound Care Cream, Made in Israeldermadenus.com+1 (848) 389-6474