Discharge Instructions: Unna Boot

You will be going home with an Unna boot in place. An Unna boot is a dressing and wrap combination that is applied from just behind your toes to your knee. An Unna boot has a special medicine in the gauze. It will help heal burns or skin sores and protect new skin. The gauze bandage is usually changed once a week or as directed by your health care provider. You will need to see your provider to have the Unna boot changed. Here's what you need to know about home care.

Home care

• It's normal to have some drainage from the Unna boot dressing. Don’t be alarmed if the drainage smells bad. The dressing pulls drainage from the wound into the dressing. The odor you smell is from the dressing, not the wound.

• Don’t get your Unna boot wet.

  • Take a sponge bath to prevent getting your Unna boot wet, unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.

  • Ask your provider when you can take a shower or bathe.

  • Ask your provider about the best way to keep your Unna boot dry when you bathe or shower.

• Keep the rest of your skin clean.

• Follow your provider's specific instructions for the care of any other wounds.

• Don't stand or sit in the same position for more than 30 minutes at a time.

• Keep your legs propped up (elevated) as much as possible. Keep them on a pillow when you're in bed

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment with your health care provider, or as advised. 

When to call your doctor

Contact your health care provider or seek medical care right away if:

• You have tingling or numbness in the leg with the Unna boot.

• You have severe pain that can't be relieved.

• You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• You have chills.

• Your fingers or toes are swollen, cold, or a blue-gray color.

• Your Unna boot feels too tight or too loose.

• Your Unna boot is coming off, damaged, or has rough edges that hurt.

• Your Unna boot gets wet.

• Drainage from the Unna boot dressing smells different than normal.