Smith & Nephew Bactigras (5cm x 5cm)

Smith & Nephew Bactigras (5cm x 5cm) is a medicated tulle gauze dressing consisting of a fine-mesh cotton gauze impregnated with chlorhexidine acetate 0.5% w/w in a soft white paraffin base. Unlike a plain, non-medicated dressing, Bactigras carries a topical antiseptic and is classified as a medicated wound dressing.

The 5cm x 5cm size is supplied sterile in packs of 5 individually wrapped dressings, and sits within the wider Bactigras range that also includes a 10cm x 10cm size for different wound areas. The paraffin base keeps the gauze from drying out and sticking to the wound bed, allowing it to be removed with less disturbance to newly formed tissue at each dressing change.

Chlorhexidine acetate is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that acts on the outer membrane of bacteria, disrupting its structure and causing leakage of cell contents, which reduces the number of bacteria on the wound surface and helps lower the risk of local infection. The soft white paraffin carrying the chlorhexidine forms a low-adherent barrier between the gauze mesh and the wound bed, so the dressing does not bond to newly formed tissue the way a dry gauze would, reducing pain and tissue disruption when the dressing is changed.

Clean and gently dry the wound before use, then cut the Bactigras dressing to a size that covers the wound area with a small margin, place the chlorhexidine-impregnated side directly against the wound, and cover with an appropriate secondary absorbent dressing and a bandage or tape to hold it in place. Change the dressing once a day, or more frequently if it becomes heavily soiled with wound discharge, unless a doctor or pharmacist has advised a different schedule.

Do not cut or handle the dressing with unwashed hands, and avoid touching the medicated surface before application to reduce the risk of contaminating the wound.

Bactigras is a topical dressing, not a systemic medicine, so it has no oral or injectable dose. It is generally applied as a single layer over the wound and changed once daily, or as directed by a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, depending on the amount of wound discharge.

Use Bactigras before the expiry date printed on the individual sachet and outer packaging; do not use a dressing if the sachet seal is broken or damaged, as sterility cannot be guaranteed once the pack has been opened or compromised.

Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in the original sealed packaging until ready to use. Do not use a dressing from a torn, punctured or previously opened sachet.

• Common: Mild, transient stinging or discomfort at the wound site when the dressing is first applied.
• Common: Localised redness or itching of the skin around the wound.
• Serious: Signs of an allergic reaction such as increasing redness, swelling, blistering or a rash spreading beyond the wound margin, which needs prompt medical attention as it may indicate chlorhexidine sensitivity.

• Do not use in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine or to any other component of the dressing.
• Avoid contact with the eyes, ears (particularly the middle ear) and meninges, as chlorhexidine can be irritant or harmful in these areas.
• Use with caution on very large wounds or extensive burns, where a doctor should assess the need for and frequency of chlorhexidine-based dressings.

• Avoid using Bactigras at the same time as other topical antiseptic or antimicrobial products on the same wound unless advised by a doctor or pharmacist, as combining antiseptics may reduce the effectiveness of either product or increase the risk of skin irritation.
• There are no known clinically significant food interactions, as Bactigras is applied topically and is not absorbed systemically in meaningful amounts.
• Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other prescription or over-the-counter wound care products on the same area, so they can advise whether they can be safely combined.

• Check the wound and surrounding skin for signs of chlorhexidine sensitivity, especially with the first application.
• Cut only as much of the dressing as needed to cover the wound, keeping the rest of the pack sterile for future use.
• Change the dressing once daily, or as advised, and more often if discharge soaks through.
• Use a secondary dressing or bandage to hold Bactigras in place and protect it from becoming wet or dirty.
• Do not continue using the dressing on a wound that shows signs of worsening infection without seeing a doctor.
• Keep unused dressings sealed and sterile until you are ready to apply them.

Precautions: Bactigras is intended for short-term use on minor wounds; if you have a known chlorhexidine allergy, sensitive skin, a chronic wound, or the wound covers a large area, check with a doctor or pharmacist before use. Avoid contact with the eyes and ears, and stop use if increasing irritation develops.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Seek medical advice if the wound shows signs of infection such as increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, pus or fever, if a rash, blistering or severe irritation develops after applying the dressing, if the wound does not show signs of improvement within a few days, or if you are uncertain whether Bactigras is suitable for a particular wound.