Wound care for facial ulcers can be challenging. The site of the ulcer; appearance; social factors; pain control; availability of wound dressings; amount of exudates and patient tolerance, all impact on the choice and combination of dressings.
Ulcers on the face are often very difficult to dress for several reasons:
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Patients don't want to see the ulcer;
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They want the ulcer to be 'hidden';
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At the same time they want to look reasonable for their family & visitors;
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Discrete dressings are the obvious choice…but what?;
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It is difficult to disguise ulcers as they get larger and deeper;
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Ulcers may be extremely painful;
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Ulcers may bleed;
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There may be exudates that require thick absorbent dressings;
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Bulky dressings can interfere with vision and eating;
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Even small dressings can interfere with eating and drinking;
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Dressings may become contaminated with food thus requiring more frequent changes.
This case study serves to give healthcare workers and / or families some ideas that may be helpful; nothing is set in stone. There is not one particular wound dressing for a facial ulcer and whatever combination of dressings you do choose please remember that pain control is an absolute priority.
