If you have a wound you are attempting to care for, you may be interested in hydrocolloid dressings. This type of dressing may be suitable for your specific type of wound. To learn more about hydrocolloid dressings, keep reading.
Hydrocolloid dressings are a type of dressing that provides a moist and insulating healing environment for a wound. This environment allows the body’s own enzymes to help heal wounds. Hydrocolloid dressings are different from other types of dressings because they don’t need to be changed as frequently and they are easy to apply. Hydrocolloid dressings come with or without an adhesive border, contain gel-forming agents inside a wafer of dressing, and have a waterproof backing that is usually made from polyurethane. To add, hydrocolloid dressings are made especially for difficult-to-dress wound areas like heels and elbows.
You may be wondering if a hydrocolloid dressing is appropriate for your specific wound. If your wound is clean or uninfected, you can safely use a hydrocolloid dressing. You can also use this type of dressing if your wound is free of dirt and debris, if it is dry with little to no drainage, and if your wound is of medium thickness.
Once you’ve decided that a hydrocolloid dressing is the most suitable for your wound, you should know how to properly apply it. First, you should wash your hands and put clean gloves on. If you currently have a dressing on your wound, you should remove this dressing and throw it away. Then, you should remove and discard the gloves you were wearing, wash your hands again, and apply new, clean gloves. Clean your wound with saline or a wound cleanser and pat the wound dry with clean gauze. Then, remove and discard your gloves, wash your hands, and put on new gloves again. You need to apply a moisture barrier to peri-wound skin or pack with wound filler if your wound is deeper. This wound-care product will be prescribed to you by a doctor if necessary.
When picking a dressing for your wound, select one that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the wound. Hold the dressing between your hands to warm it up for improved adhesion. Then, remove the backing from the hydrocolloid dressing, fold it in half, apply it from the center of the wound outward, and smooth it out from the center outward. Once you are done applying your hydrocolloid dressing, you can throw away any waste, remove your gloves, and throw them away.
When it comes time to remove your hydrocolloid dressing, you should press down on the skin near the edge of the dressing and lift the adhesive on one side. Then, you should continue to lift around the edges of the dressing until the adhesive is free. Carefully peel the dressing away from the wound in the direction of hair growth. Discard the dressing when you are done and wash your hands.
Hydrocolloid dressings have many benefits. For one, they provide a moist environment for body enzymes to heal. Additionally, these dressings do not stick to the wound, they are flexible enough to mold around the skin when the body is in motion, and they are impermeable to bacteria and other contamination.
To purchase hydrocolloid dressings for your wound, shop with Sarasota Medical Products. Contact us with any questions of you can find us at 1451 Sarasota Center Boulevard in Sarasota, Florida.