An unattached dressing compromises the optimal wound environment by potentially allowing the wound to dry out or become contaminated by exogenous bacteria or foreign material. How often should I change dressing on a wound? When you put on a new dressing: Make sure your hands are clean. But, it is better to apply a new dressing as a protection. If you use an advanced plaster that provides Moist wound healing conditions, it is recommended to leave it in place for up to two days or more in order to not interrupt the healing process. Put on clean gloves if your own wound is infected, or if you are putting on dressing for someone else. After the wound has been stitched up the nurse may cover the wound with a dressing made of gauze and tape. Usually, wound dressings and plasters should be changed daily for hygienic reasons. It will keep clothes from rubbing against your stitches and makes you somehow feel safer. Place the dressing over the wound and tape down all 4 sides. During the first day is better not to take off the dressing and to keep it in place until 24 hours has passed (if you have not exposed the dressing to dirt). DO NOT apply antibiotic cream unless your doctor tells you to. A wound dressing, especially on a severely opened wound is usually moist and will be full of fluids within hours. Unless being advised by the doctor, you will not need to apply some kind of cream or ointment on your wound before putting on a new dressing. In order to promote a faster wound healing, you should pay attention to the wound dressing, aside from watching for the signs of infection. I emailed Dr. Heather A. Brandling-Bennett, a dermatologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and asked her how long to leave a bandage on a wound. For example, if a hydrocolloid dressing is placed over a wound, and 30 minutes later you find one corner lifted up, exposing the wound, the dressing should be changed. You should see a doctor anyways for more serious wounds so the doctor will advise you how long you should leave the bandage on for. DO NOT touch the inside of the dressing. If the wound is healing, you probably do not need to use dressing anymore.