Different types of dressing can be left in place for different lengths of time, sometimes up to a week if they don’t become wet or show significant strikethrough. Removing a dressing that’s stuck to healing skin can cause trauma, so it’s generally recommended that dressings be left in place for as long as the manufacturer recommends. If they get too wet, it may be possible to change outer dressings while leaving the wound contact layer intact to prevent damage to new cells. Wounds which become infected may need to be changed more frequently, especially if there is a lot of pus or slough coming from the wound.
Dressing changes should be done with an aseptic, no touch technique. Dressings should be changed in the cleanest possible environment, with clean hands and disposable gloves. Wounds should be gently cleaned and any slough that comes away easily should be removed. Anything material that does not come away easily should not be pulled at, in case it causes more damage.