Melolin consists of a highly absorbent cotton and acrylic fibre pad which is heat bonded on one side to a very thin perforated polyester film. The film side of the dressing is placed next to the wound.
Melolin may be used on its own to dress dry sutured wounds, superficial cuts and abrasions, and other lightly exuding lesions. It may also be used as the primary wound contact layer for more heavily exuding wounds, if backed by a second absorbent dressing.
In common with other perforated plastic film dressings, Melolin should be used with caution in the treatment of leg ulcers that produce copious quantities of very viscous exudate. Under these circumstances, the exudate may become trapped under the dressing, leading to maceration and inflammation of the surrounding skin.