ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the general wound requirements for optimum healing, the needs of the patient and clinicians that should be considered and how wound dressings can assist with wound care. With wounds being very variable, the requirements of a number of different types of wounds are outlined, including superficial wounds, bleeding wounds, exuding wounds, granulating and epithelialising wounds, dry wounds, wounds with eschar, sloughy wounds, infected wounds, surgical wounds, deep tunnelling wounds and burns. The additional requirements of sensitive or painful wounds and wounds situated in challenging anatomical positions are also discussed. Many of these requirements are provided by regular and advanced wound dressings, and some of them are met by an alternative to wound dressings: skin substitutes, also discussed here.
