Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swabs – 100 x 7.5cm x 7.5cm
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Overview
The Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swab range is a trusted, professional-grade staple in wound care settings, and the 7.5cm x 7.5cm format fills an important gap between the standard 10cm swab and smaller dressing options. Where the full 10cm swab would be unnecessarily large and unwieldy — on paediatric wounds, smaller acute injuries, facial wounds, or areas where precision application matters — the 7.5cm size provides the same sterility guarantee and quality construction in a more appropriate dimension.
Each swab is individually sealed to maintain microbiological sterility until the moment of opening. The gauze construction is designed to absorb effectively without shedding fibres into the wound bed — a clinically important characteristic, as loose fibres left in healing tissue can act as a foreign body, provoking an inflammatory response that delays wound closure. The swabs are suitable for direct wound contact, applying sterile solutions to wound tissue, light wound packing under clinical supervision, and as the primary wound contact layer in a sterile dressing assembly for smaller wounds.
The box of 100 individually sealed swabs is a practical bulk supply for clinical treatment rooms, community nursing kits, paediatric care settings, or home care environments where sterile dressing changes are performed regularly under clinical guidance. Used alongside the 10cm x 10cm Actigauze-S for standard-sized wounds, this smaller format ensures that the right size sterile swab is always available for the job. Browse our full range of dressings and bandaging supplies and our wider wound care products for a complete clinical supply.
How to Use Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swabs 7.5cm x 7.5cm
- Perform hand hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a clinical alcohol hand gel before handling sterile swabs. In clinical wound contact procedures, sterile gloves should be worn.
- Prepare your dressing field. Assemble all required dressing materials before opening any sterile packaging, to minimise the time sterile surfaces are exposed to the environment.
- Open the individual sterile wrapper immediately before use. Peel back the wrapper carefully, handling only the outer packaging surface. Allow the sterile swab to be presented onto a clean sterile field rather than being touched directly with an ungloved hand where sterility is critical.
- Use promptly after opening. Once the sealed wrapper is opened, the swab should be used immediately. If a sterile swab contacts any non-sterile surface before use, discard it and open a fresh one.
- Apply to the wound as clinically directed:
- As a wound contact layer: Place gently over the wound surface, ensuring full coverage of the wound area without pressing unnecessarily into the wound bed.
- For applying sterile solutions: Saturate with the prescribed sterile irrigation fluid or topical agent and apply to the wound tissue gently, working from the cleanest area outward.
- For light wound packing under clinical supervision: Use loosely to fill a small wound cavity as directed, ensuring swab count is documented and matched at each subsequent dressing change.
- Secure the dressing. Apply appropriate retention dressing, fixation tape, or bandage over the swab as directed by the clinical care plan.
- Discard after single use. Do not rinse, dry, or attempt to reuse any sterile swab once it has been opened or used.
Maintaining sterility during use
- Never allow a sterile swab surface to contact a non-sterile item — if this happens, discard and open a fresh swab.
- Do not open sterile swabs in advance and leave them exposed on a surface.
- In clinical wound packing, maintain an accurate record of swabs placed to ensure complete removal at subsequent dressing changes.
For guidance on sterile wound care or selecting the correct swab size for your application, speak to a Pearl Chemist Group pharmacist or your community nursing team.
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Overview
The Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swab range is a trusted, professional-grade staple in wound care settings, and the 7.5cm x 7.5cm format fills an important gap between the standard 10cm swab and smaller dressing options. Where the full 10cm swab would be unnecessarily large and unwieldy — on paediatric wounds, smaller acute injuries, facial wounds, or areas where precision application matters — the 7.5cm size provides the same sterility guarantee and quality construction in a more appropriate dimension.
Each swab is individually sealed to maintain microbiological sterility until the moment of opening. The gauze construction is designed to absorb effectively without shedding fibres into the wound bed — a clinically important characteristic, as loose fibres left in healing tissue can act as a foreign body, provoking an inflammatory response that delays wound closure. The swabs are suitable for direct wound contact, applying sterile solutions to wound tissue, light wound packing under clinical supervision, and as the primary wound contact layer in a sterile dressing assembly for smaller wounds.
The box of 100 individually sealed swabs is a practical bulk supply for clinical treatment rooms, community nursing kits, paediatric care settings, or home care environments where sterile dressing changes are performed regularly under clinical guidance. Used alongside the 10cm x 10cm Actigauze-S for standard-sized wounds, this smaller format ensures that the right size sterile swab is always available for the job. Browse our full range of dressings and bandaging supplies and our wider wound care products for a complete clinical supply.
How to Use Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swabs 7.5cm x 7.5cm
- Perform hand hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a clinical alcohol hand gel before handling sterile swabs. In clinical wound contact procedures, sterile gloves should be worn.
- Prepare your dressing field. Assemble all required dressing materials before opening any sterile packaging, to minimise the time sterile surfaces are exposed to the environment.
- Open the individual sterile wrapper immediately before use. Peel back the wrapper carefully, handling only the outer packaging surface. Allow the sterile swab to be presented onto a clean sterile field rather than being touched directly with an ungloved hand where sterility is critical.
- Use promptly after opening. Once the sealed wrapper is opened, the swab should be used immediately. If a sterile swab contacts any non-sterile surface before use, discard it and open a fresh one.
- Apply to the wound as clinically directed:
- As a wound contact layer: Place gently over the wound surface, ensuring full coverage of the wound area without pressing unnecessarily into the wound bed.
- For applying sterile solutions: Saturate with the prescribed sterile irrigation fluid or topical agent and apply to the wound tissue gently, working from the cleanest area outward.
- For light wound packing under clinical supervision: Use loosely to fill a small wound cavity as directed, ensuring swab count is documented and matched at each subsequent dressing change.
- Secure the dressing. Apply appropriate retention dressing, fixation tape, or bandage over the swab as directed by the clinical care plan.
- Discard after single use. Do not rinse, dry, or attempt to reuse any sterile swab once it has been opened or used.
Maintaining sterility during use
- Never allow a sterile swab surface to contact a non-sterile item — if this happens, discard and open a fresh swab.
- Do not open sterile swabs in advance and leave them exposed on a surface.
- In clinical wound packing, maintain an accurate record of swabs placed to ensure complete removal at subsequent dressing changes.
For guidance on sterile wound care or selecting the correct swab size for your application, speak to a Pearl Chemist Group pharmacist or your community nursing team.
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FAQs
Why would I use the 7.5cm size rather than the standard 10cm swab?
The 7.5cm x 7.5cm swab is the better choice wherever the standard 10cm size would be unnecessarily large or difficult to position accurately. This includes smaller acute wounds such as lacerations, post-procedure sites, or grazes; paediatric wounds where a smaller swab provides more precise and proportionate coverage; wounds in confined areas such as the face, fingers, or between toes; and any situation where a full 10cm swab would extend well beyond the wound margins and be difficult to secure neatly. Having both sizes available ensures the most appropriate fit for every wound.
Are the 7.5cm swabs the same quality as the 10cm Actigauze-S swabs?
Yes. Both sizes are part of the same Actigauze-S sterile gauze swab range, manufactured to the same quality and sterility standards. The only difference is the physical dimensions — the quality of the gauze construction, the sterility guarantee provided by individual sealed packaging, and the suitability for direct wound contact are identical across both sizes. Choose the size based on the wound dimensions and the body area being dressed, not on any assumption of difference in quality between the two.
Are these suitable for use on children?
Yes. The 7.5cm size is particularly well suited to paediatric wound care, where the smaller dimensions provide more appropriate and proportionate wound coverage than a standard adult-sized 10cm swab. Sterile wound care technique in children follows the same principles as in adults — hand hygiene, immediate opening before use, single use, and secure coverage with appropriate retention materials. For significant paediatric wounds, wound care should be directed or supervised by a healthcare professional familiar with managing wounds in children.
Can the wrapper damage indicate the swab is no longer sterile?
Yes, absolutely. The sterile integrity of each swab depends entirely on the sealed wrapper remaining intact and undamaged from manufacture to point of use. Any tear, puncture, moisture penetration, or visual compromise to the individual wrapper means sterility cannot be assumed. Always inspect the individual wrapper before opening, particularly for swabs from boxes that have been stored in a clinical bag or kit where they may have been subject to compression or movement. A damaged wrapper swab must be discarded, not used as a non-sterile alternative — the risk is not worth taking.
How do I secure the swab in place after applying it to a small wound?
For small wounds dressed with a 7.5cm swab, suitable retention options include a small adhesive island dressing or fixation film placed over the swab, strips of medical-grade adhesive tape applied around the swab edges, a small piece of conforming bandage or tubular retention bandage, or a cohesive bandage on a limb wound. The choice depends on the body area, the patient's skin fragility, and any clinical instructions regarding dressing type. Your community nurse or pharmacist can advise on the most appropriate retention method for the specific wound and patient you are managing.
How should I store these swabs to maintain their sterility?
Keep swabs in their original sealed outer box, stored in a clean, cool, and dry location away from direct sunlight, moisture, and temperature extremes. In clinical bags or first aid kits, ensure they are not stored beneath heavy items that could compress and potentially damage the individual wrappers. Check the expiry date on the box periodically and replace stock before it expires. Do not store in environments where humidity or condensation is a regular occurrence, as moisture can compromise both the outer box and the individual sterile wrappers over time.
Does Pearl Chemist Group stock both sizes of Actigauze-S sterile swabs?
Yes. Pearl Chemist Group stocks both the 7.5cm x 7.5cm and the 10cm x 10cm formats of Actigauze-S Sterile Gauze Swabs, along with the Actigauze-N non-sterile range for clinical support tasks. Browse our full dressings and bandages section online or visit your nearest branch for personalised advice on wound care product selection. Our pharmacists are knowledgeable about clinical wound care supplies and are happy to advise on the right product for your specific needs.