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Hydrocolloid Dressings - Introduction | How it Works | When to Use | Types & Brands | Research & Articles

What is a Hydrocolloid Dressing?

Hydrocolloid dressing is an advanced wound care product that promotes wound recovery with the help of a moist and insulated healing environment and provides a painless healing experience. It contains gel-forming agents such as sodium carboxy-methylcellulose (NaCMC), pectin, polymers, gelatin, etc., which swell when they come in contact with exudate. The dressing is absorbent and waterproof to allow the hydrocolloid bandage to stay on for a longer period without any damage. This self-adhering hydrocolloid dressing adheres not to the wound but to the surrounding skin to prevent trauma upon removal.

How Hydrocolloid Bandages Work?

Hydrocolloid wound dressings provide a highly-effective moist environment, which is ideal for healing. Gel-forming agents are mixed with adhesives plus elastomers and then applied to a polyurethane foam or film. The gel-forming agents form a gel on coming into contact with the exudate. The viscosity of the gel will depend on the gel-forming agents contained within it. Some may form a thick gel, while others may lead to a watery one. Generally, the dressing is impervious to moisture, but once the gel forms, it becomes absorbent, thus pulling in more and more exudate. The moist environment provided by the hydrocolloid is conducive to quick wound recovery. The wet core of FlexiCol Hydrocolloid Wound Dressing allows for higher and more rapid fluid uptake, so very little residue remains behind on the wound.

Features of Hydrocolloid Dressing

  • Protects from bacterial infection
  • May be changed every 3 to 7 days leaving the healing and newly-formed skin undisturbed
  • Does not stick to the wound and therefore allows for a quick and painless dressing change
  • May be used along with venous compressions products
  • Can adhere to a wet wound site as well as a dry one
  • Available in multiple shapes to conform to different parts of the body
  • Cost-effective

When to use Hydrocolloid Wound Dressing?

Hydrocolloid bandages can be used on many wound types but they are most effective on:
  • Partial or full thickness wounds
  • Non-infected wounds
  • Low-to-moderate discharge
  • Necrotic or granular wounds

Hydrocolloid wound dressings may also be used for the following wound types:
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Venous ulcers/foot/leg ulcers
  • Superficial or low exudate wounds
  • Donor sites
  • Laceration/abrasions
  • Hydrocolloid Dressing for burns
    • Partial thickness burn/second degree burn
    • Superficial burn/first degree burn
    • Full thickness burn/third degree burn/graft wound
  • Diabetic ulcers
  • Surgical/post-operative wounds
  • Acute/traumatic wounds
  • Arterial ulcers

When should you not use Hydrocolloid Bandages?

  • Hydrocolloid bandages are not recommended on wounds with heavy exudates, infected wounds and sinus tracts. The dressings may get dislodged if used on the highly-exuding wound.
  • Hydrocolloid dressings may cause hyper-granulation and allow the skin around the wound site to macerate.
  • The dressing may stick to the wound leading to unpleasant smelling residue on removal.
  • It may roll or curl up at the edges. To prevent this, the Hollister Restore Plus dressing has a tapered edge which minimizes edge roll thus extending wear time and lowering treatment cost. The Derma PrimaCol hydrocolloid wound dressing, too, is bordered and with tapered edges designed to minimize bunching and rolling up, proving to be cost-effective.

What are the different types of Hydrocolloid Wound Dressings?

Hydrocolloid dressings are available as:

Hydrocolloid Dressing Brands

Hydrocolloid dressing brands that are highly effective include 3M Tegaderm, DuoDerm dressings, Comfeel, RepliCare, Nu-Derm, Exuderm and Cutimed. The Medline Exuderm LP has a dressing change frequency of the maximum of seven days and depends on the amount of drainage. It can be used for primary, secondary, shallow, and moderate wounds. The Coloplast Wound Dressing, 3M Tegaderm hydrocolloid dressing is thin and provides a viral barrier while staying intact without leakage. It is available in oval and square and in multiple sizes. The Derma dermaGran B hydrophilic Wound Dressing is ideal for external wounds and gives a moist wound environment for quick healing.

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Articles

Understanding Wound Inflammation

Kevin Cleary Dec 06,2014

The wound healing process is generally understood to be a three-step process: inflammation, regeneration (also known as proliferation), and maturation.

Dealing with Wounds and Diabetes

Kevin Cleary Sep 17,2015

Diabetes and wounds are always a bad combination. For people with diabetes, caring for wounds and injuries can be difficult. Being a diabetic wound healing can be affected by many factors.

Treatments for Venous Ulcers

Kevin Cleary Jan 06,2014

Venous ulcer is a skin ulcer caused by improper blood circulation in the legs. Venous ulcers are located on the sides of the leg, usually above the ankle and below the calf. These shallow wounds are caused by leg

FAQ's

Frequently asked questions

Hydrocolloid dressing is among the most widely used contemporary dressing. It contains gel-forming agents like sodium carboxymethylcellulose and gelatin. This is combined with elastomers and adhesives and when applied to a carrier – generally polyurethane foam or film – it forms an absorbent, self-adhesive waterproof wafer.

There does not seem to be any pronounced side-effect of a hydrocolloid dressing. There is no noted association of the dressing with allergic contact dermatitis. But, some of these dressings contain the pentaerythritol ester of hydrogenated rosin and this has the sensitizing potential of colophony.

A hydrocolloid dressing is a wafer-type dressing comprised of an adhesive compound filled with a gel-forming agent. It is similar to an absorbent, flexible wafer that has the quality of being waterproof and self-adhering. As the dressing is self-adherent, it offers complete protection to the wound bed. It provides a sufficient moist healing environment, an auto debridement process and acts as insulation to the wound bed. Hydrocolloid dressing is a biodegradable and non-breathable dressing. It adheres to the skin therefore no separate taping is required. It appears dense or translucent.

Hydrocolloid dressing uses the body’s own moisture and enzymes to offer a moist healing environment thus keeping the wound bed hydrated for quick healing. The dressing absorbs the wound exudate and forms a gel the properties of which are dependent on the agent present in the compound.

Hydrocolloid dressings can be used on different types of wounds. They are best on wounds that are non-infected or of partial/full thickness and possess low-to-moderate drainage. These dressings can be used under medical supervision, even in situations when aerobic infection exists. Hydrocolloid dressings can be used in the treatment of pressure ulcers. If used on eczema wounds, these dressings act as a steroid sealing ointment and provide a barrier against scratching. Hydrocolloid dressings can also be used in the treatment of minor or full-thickness burns.

Hydrocolloid dressing change frequency depends largely on the manufacturer guideline but generally, these dressings have to be changed every 3 to 7 days. They are meant for extended wear up to a week.

Hydrocolloid dressings are easy to use and have to be changed every 3 to 5 days. There is no trauma on removal. This makes it effective for cleaning, granulating, superficial wounds with low-to-medium exudate.