hydrocolloid dressing; wafer dressing

Characteristics

• wafer dressing that interacts with wound exudate to form a moist gel on the wound base
• impermeable to oxygen (occlusive)
• impermeable to bacteria
• adhesive

Indications

• wounds with low to moderate exudate
• partial or full-thickness wounds
• granular or necrotic wounds
• pressure ulcers
  • appropriate for partial-thickness pressure ulcers
• venous ulcers
• may be used over wound fillers, alginates or hydrogels depending upon amount of drainage

Contraindications

• infected wounds
• 3rd degree burns
• diabetic ulcers
• arterial ulcers
• wounds with heavy exudates
• fragile surrounding skin
• full-thickness pressure ulcers with dead space

Advantages

• protection, bacterial & physical barrier
• autolysis
• waterproof
• flexible
• pain reduction
• moist environment
• 3-7 day wear time
• insulates wound
• absorbent

Disadvantages

• odor
• may strip fragile skin upon removal
• excess drainage can cause maceration of surrounding skin
• potential for sensitivity to adhesive

Mechanism of action

• surface of dressing mixes with wound fluid to form a gel
• allows migration of epithelial cells onto the surface of the ulcer

Notes

Helpful hints:

• consider patch test to check for allergy to adhesive when using over venous ulcers
• cover at least 1 inch of surrounding skin for improved adhesion
• change dressing before it leaks
• educate families in advance of the odor & drainage associated with use of these products

Products:

• CarraSmart
• Comfeel
• Curaderm
• Cutinova-Hydro
• DermaCol
• DuoDerm CGF dressing
• Exuderm
• Hydrocol
• Replicare
• Restore
• SignaDress
• Sorbex
• Tegasorb
• Ultec

More general terms

• wound dressing

More specific terms

• CarraSmart hydrocolloid
• Comfeel hydrocolloid
• Curaderm
• Cutinova Hydro
• DermaCol
• DuoDerm CGF (control gel formula) dressing
• Exuderm
• Hydrocol
• RepliCare
• Restore hydrocolloid
• SignaDress
• Sorbex
• Tegasorb
• Ultec