Caring for a sick person is a serious and troublesome process. Patients and their relatives may experience many problems, including pressure sores. For many, a hydrocolloid dressing, which is prescribed by the attending physician to accelerate the healing process, becomes a salvation. In order to avoid mistakes, it is necessary to clarify the principle of using such dressings. How often to change them? Why are they the most effective?
Dressings
In the healing process, various dressings are used. It can be gauze bandages, fabric dressings, telexol mesh, paper bandages, adhesive tape and so on. Dressings for wounds are selected depending on medical need.
Often, dressings become a real test for patients, as the dressing adheres to the wound surface. Therefore, experts continue to develop new types of material, the use of which accelerates the healing process and does not cause pain. One of these developments is a hydrocolloid dressing.
What are hydrocolloid dressings?
The effect of such dressings is based on the properties of a gelling agent placed on an adhesive (adhesive) layer. All components are fixed on a thin film or sponge material. The sponge base is made of polyurethane. The resulting product is a modern wound dressing. It is flexible, absorbs exudate well, impervious to water and self-adhesive.
Thanks to hydrocolloid capsules, the dressing maintains a moist environment on the surface of the wound. Contacting with exudate, the capsules are transformed into a gel, creating favorable conditions for healing.
Manufacturers market products of various sizes, structures and elasticities. In addition, the thickness, shape and absorption coefficient vary.
In what cases are hydrocolloid dressings prescribed?
A great advantage of such a dressing is its ability to be securely fixed both in wet and in dry areas. A hydrocolloid dressing is used in the following cases:
- with protracted wounds, bedsores of varying degrees, ulcerations;
- with traumatic wounds, including small abrasions and lacerations;
- with acute wounds, that is, surgical, postoperative and so on;
- for the treatment of burns 1-2 degrees;
- after removal of skin changes.
You should always consider that there may be contraindications for use. Most often, this is an increased sensitivity to the components of the product.
Bedsores treatment
If a person is limited in movement, then bedsores may occur even with constant care. In this case, a hydrocolloid dressing is the best way to prevent an increase and inflammation of pressure sores. A special gel that forms when the material comes in contact with the exudate will maintain a moisture balance. He will not let the wound get wet and exclude its infection. In addition, the bandage will help regulate the pressure on the damaged area. The pressure sore patch can be fixed even in the most inconvenient places.
How and when does the dressing change
One product can be fixed on the wound surface for several days. But specific dates are determined depending on the situation. An indicator that the patch is time to change is the swelling of the colloidal layer.
There are no unpleasant sensations during the replacement of the dressing. It does not dry to the wound surface and does not create conditions for injuring the wound. Before applying a new dressing, the wound is washed, removing the remaining gel. For this, Ringer's solution is prescribed.
Hydrocolloid dressings are easy to use and highly effective.