An occlusive dressing is an air- and water-tight trauma dressing used in first aid. These dressings are generally made with a waxy coating so as to provide a total seal, and as a result do not have the absorbent properties of gauze pads. They are typically used to treat open, or "sucking," chest wounds (pneumothorax) to alleviate or prevent a tension pneumothorax (a serious complication of a simple pneumothorax). They are also used in conjunction with a moist sterile dressing for intestinal evisceration.[1]
Occlusive dressings come in various forms, including Vaseline Gauze, which sticks to the skin surrounding the wound using Vaseline.
They can also be used to enhance the penetration and absorption of topically-applied medications, such as ointments and creams. Furthermore, they may be used in in vivo acute toxicity tests of dermal irritation and sensitization. The test animal is shaved and the test material is applied to the skin and wrapped in an occlusive material. The skin is then exposed after 23 hours and an assessment for redness and edema is made. This assessment is repeated 48 hours later.
|title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. http://www.wvuh.com/medcom/Protocols/EMT/6100_Trauma/6105_Abdominal_Trauma.pdf.