How to Do a Tulle Gras Finger Dressing

Every wound requires proper care and bandaging to ensure quick healing and to prevent infection. The tulle gras finger dressing originates in France and means "oily tulle." In this type of bandaging, a soft paraffin fabric is used with Peruvian balsam and olive oil, which prevent the fabric from sticking to the wound. However, tulle gras has to be used with another dressing because it is not absorbent. Tulle gras dressings are typically used with gauze cloths containing paraffin in the case of second-degree burns, or with antiseptics to prevent or treat infection.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Scissors (optional)
• Antiseptic (optional)
• Disposable gloves (optional)
• Tweezers or tongs
• Gauze

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose the appropriate tulle gras dressing. There are a few types of tulle gras dressings: Bactigras, Jelonet and Cuticerin.

  Bactigras is made of leno weave with soft paraffin and contains 0.5 percent chlorhexidine acetate. It is used to reduce the chance of infection in surgical, traumatic and ulcerative wounds and should be used on infected wounds together with topical or antibacterial solutions. A Bactigras tulle gras dressing is soothing and allows the wound to drain into the absorbent secondary dressing.

  Jelonet is nonmedicated leno weave tulle gras dressing made of soft paraffin. It also is soothing and allows the wound to drain freely. Unlike Bactigras, Jelonet is not medicated and therefore can be combined with any topical antiseptic or antibiotic. It can be used on minor burns and skin-loss wounds.

  Cuticerin is a gauze dressing made of smooth acetate fabric with water-repellent ointment coating. It minimizes the pain when dressings are changed and allows air to pass freely through the dressing. Cuticerin is used for the treatment of extensive wounds such as burns and abrasions.

• 2

  Clean the wound on the finger with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol. This may sting, but it's important to clean and disinfect the wound before dressing it.

• 3

  Remove the tulle gras dressing from its box or package. Tulle gras dressings come in different sizes and may contain necessary medication to help heal wounds. They are placed between two sheets of thin paper or plastic film; do not remove this paper or film yet.

• 4

  Cut the tulle grass dressing with scissors unless it is precut so that it fits the wound and goes around the finger at least once.

• 5

  Apply antiseptic to the wound, if desired, as directed by a doctor or by the package instructions. Usually, just a thin layer covering the wound will be enough.

• 6

  Remove the protective paper or film from one side of the tulle gras dressing. Wear gloves or use disinfected tweezers or tongs to place the tulle gras dressing gently on the wound with the unwrapped side on the wound. Wrap the dressing around the finger using your hand with or without gloves as desired, and then peel off the film or paper from the wrapped side. The wound will be visible through it. Do not get dirt or bacteria on the dressing.

• 7

  Wrap gauze around the finger until the wound is covered completely and until it feels comfortable on your hand. Cut the gauze, if necessary, with scissors and secure it with first aid tape unless the gauze pads are adhesive.

• 8

  Change the dressing as directed by a doctor, either daily or less frequently. Every time a tulle gras dressing is removed, skin must be cleaned and disinfected, and a new set of dressings must be used.