Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Published · Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
On this page
A hydrofiber wound dressing is a sterile, non-woven pad or ribbon made of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) fibre that absorbs wound fluid and turns into a soft gel. Clinic staff, buyers and students use this page to understand the product class and to know which parts of a manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) to read before ordering. It is a class explainer; for the best-known brand, see what Aquacel is.
What is a hydrofiber wound dressing?
“Hydrofiber” is Convatec’s trademarked term. The generic names are gelling fibre dressing and CMC fibre dressing. One manufacturer’s IFU describes its product as “a soft, sterile, non-woven pad or ribbon dressing composed of sodium carboxymethylcellulose fiber” that absorbs wound fluid and “transforms into a soft gel, which maintains a moist environment” (Winner Medical IFU, effective 2025-05-16). Convatec’s AQUACEL Extra page lists the material as sodium carboxymethylcellulose with regenerated cellulose fibre for strength, and describes the fibre as transforming into a cohesive gel.
Who uses it: the Winner IFU names the intended user as a healthcare professional or someone under supervision.
For where this class sits among other dressings and in FDA classes, see wound dressings and medical dressings.
How is it built and how does it gel?
The dressing is supplied dry. Contact with wound fluid (exudate) converts the fibre to a gel, which is what keeps the wound surface moist. Both manufacturer documents describe this same gelling behaviour and the same CMC composition. The Winner IFU gives the intended purpose as moist wound healing and exudate management of moderately to heavily exuding wounds, including cavity wounds.
Types and variants
| Type | Key difference | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pad (sheet) | Flat non-woven pad | Winner Medical IFU |
| Ribbon | Ribbon format; the IFU lists cavity wounds in its intended purpose | Winner Medical IFU |
| Strengthened fibre | Regenerated cellulose added to the CMC fibre for strength | Convatec AQUACEL Extra page |
Silver-containing gelling fibre products are a separate variant; see silver wound-care dressings.
Is hydrofiber the same as hydrogel, or an antimicrobial hydrogel?
No. A hydrofiber dressing is a dry fibre that gels when it meets wound fluid, according to the two manufacturer documents cited below. Hydrogel is a separate dressing class; read what a hydrogel is, hydrogel wound care and hydrogel vs hydrocolloid. Neither document describes a plain gelling fibre dressing as antimicrobial.
Sizes that matter
Sizes vary by product. As an example, Convatec’s UK page for AQUACEL Extra lists these formats (per box):
| Format | Size | Units per box |
|---|---|---|
| Pad | 5 x 5 cm | 10 |
| Pad | 10 x 10 cm | 10 |
| Pad | 15 x 15 cm | 5 |
| Pad | 4 x 10 cm | 10 |
| Pad | 4 x 20 cm | 10 |
| Pad | 4 x 30 cm | 10 |
| Pad | 20 x 24 cm | 5 |
| Ribbon | 1 x 45 cm | 5 |
| Ribbon | 2 x 45 cm | 5 |
What to confirm on the IFU
This table lists label items that the Winner Medical IFU states for its product. Other brands differ, so read the IFU of the exact product.
| Check | What the Winner IFU says |
|---|---|
| Contraindications | Surgical implantation, heavy bleeding wounds, and allergy or sensitivity to the dressing or its components |
| Single use | Single use only; reuse may lead to cross contamination |
| Sterile package | Do not use if the inner package is damaged or opened; do not re-sterilise |
| Storage | Dry, ventilated place away from sunlight |
Convatec’s AQUACEL Extra page names allergy to the dressing or its components as a contraindication and refers readers to the package insert for complete instructions. For clinic checklists see wound care clinic supply checklist and wound care supply selection guide.
Handling basics
- These products are intended for use under the direction of a healthcare professional, following the product’s IFU.
- Store them as the IFU states and check that the sterile package is intact.
- The Winner IFU lists adverse reactions including wound infection, maceration, blister, hypergranulation, eczema and intolerance.
Common mistakes
- Treating “hydrofiber” as a generic name when it is a brand term; search by “gelling fibre” or “CMC fibre” as well.
- Confusing it with hydrogel, which is a different class.
- Assuming one product’s format or label details apply to another.
- Reusing a dressing; the Winner IFU says single use only.
FAQ
What is a hydrofiber wound dressing made of?
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) fibre; some products add regenerated cellulose for strength.
Is hydrofiber the same as hydrogel?
No. Hydrofiber is a dry fibre that gels on contact with wound fluid; hydrogel is a separate class. See the hydrogel section above and the linked hydrogel pages.
Is “hydrofiber” a brand name?
Yes, it is Convatec’s trademarked term. Generic names are gelling fibre dressing and CMC fibre dressing.
Can a hydrofiber dressing be reused?
The Winner Medical IFU says single use only. Read the IFU of the product in question.
Sources
Both sources checked on 2026-11-01.
- Winner Medical, CMC Gelling Fiber Dressing Standard (Type I) Instruction for Use, doc WN-CE(MDR)64-IFU01 A/2, effective 2025-05-16: https://www.winnermedical.com/pdfinfo/IFU%20for%20CMC%20Gelling%20Fiber%20Dressing%20Standard%20(Type%20I)%20A2%20(EU%20only)
- Convatec, AQUACEL Extra dressing product page, UK: https://www.convatec.com/en-gb/products/advanced-wound-care/wound-type/pc-wound-burns/aquacel-extra-dressing/
