| You may have used hydrocolloid dressings in your | | | | - Encourage autolytic debridement |
| practice, but perhaps you are wondering if you have | | | | - Variety of shapes and sizes allow you to choose |
| been using them correctly. The following guide will help | | | | one which adheres well to the wound being treated |
| you to decide which wounds hydrocolloids may be | | | | - Slight to moderate absorptive properties |
| used on, and under what circumstances they should | | | | - Minimal skin trauma |
| not be used. | | | | - Minimal disruption of healing |
| Product Overview | | | | - Allow wound visualization (if transparent) |
| Hydrocolloids are dressings composed of varying | | | | - Can be used in conjunction with compression |
| materials such as carboxymethylcellulose, pectin and | | | | products |
| gelatin. The substance that comprises the layer that | | | | Disadvantages |
| comes in contact with the wound may be different, | | | | - May leave a sticky residue on the wound edges, or |
| depending on the type of hydrocolloid dressing. What | | | | may leave a residue in the wound itself |
| they all have in common is that they provide a moist | | | | - Opaque hydrocolloids make wound assessment |
| healing environment that is conducive to autolytic | | | | difficult |
| debridement and the formation of granulation tissue. | | | | - Heavily draining wounds may cause dressing to |
| These dressing come in many different shapes and | | | | become dislodged |
| sizes and may be found in paste, powder and wafer | | | | - Occlusive nature of these dressings minimizes gas |
| form. | | | | exchange between the wound and the environment |
| Indications | | | | - Edges of the dressing may curl |
| - Pressure ulcers | | | | - Can injure fragile skin when removing the dressing |
| - Partial and full-thickness wounds | | | | At woundeducators.com, we understand that life is |
| - Necrotic wounds or wounds with slough | | | | hectic, and keeping up to date on all the latest industry |
| - Wounds with light to moderate drainage (exudate) | | | | news can be difficult. This is why we have dedicated |
| Contraindications | | | | ourselves to becoming the one resource that you can |
| - Wounds with heavy exudate | | | | turn to in order to keep you up to speed in the rapidly |
| - Wounds containing sinus tracts | | | | developing field of wound care management. If you |
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| - Wounds with exposed structures (i.e. bones or | | | | specialist, visit us at to find out more about how you |
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| - May be used as either a primary or a secondary | | | | Source:Hess, C. (2002). Clinical Guide: Wound Care. |
| dressing | | | | Fourth Edition. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse |
| - Do not allow bacteria to enter the wound | | | | Corporation. |