Duoderm
Encyclopedia
A hydrocolloid dressing (trade name
s include Duoderm, Granuflex, and 3M Tegaderm Hydrocolloid) is an opaque dressing
used in medicine
to provide a moist wound
-healing environment, while protecting from contamination
. Hydrocolloids were initially utilized in medicine as a reliable, skin-friendly adhesive, useful for securing colostomy
appliances to the patient's abdomen
. Clinicians observed that acute abdominal wounds from colostomy operations healed more rapidly when a hydrocolloid was used. It is biodegradeable, nonbreathable and adheres to the skin
so no separate taping is needed.
The active surface of the dressing is coated with a cross-linked adhesive mass containing a dispersion of gelatin, pectin and carboxy-methylcellulose together with other polymers and adhesives forming a flexible wafer. In contact with wound exudate
, the polysaccharides and other polymers absorb water and swell, forming a gel which is held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. The moist conditions produced under the dressing promote fibrinolysis
, angiogenesis
and wound healing, without causing softening and breaking down of tissue. The gel which is formed as a result of the absorption of wound exudate is not mobile and free running but held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. Most hydrocolloid dressings are waterproof, allowing normal washing and bathing. Dressings may be used, under medical supervision, even where aerobic infection
is present; the infection should be treated appropriately.
The dressing is applied to a cleaned wound. It helps wounds to heal faster. Many people like to apply these patches on the face
in order to heal acne
. They are also used to secure nasogastric tubes or CPAP
masks to the patient's face, without causing skin irritation. Hydrocolloid dressings are often used to heal bedsore
s (also known as pressure ulcers).
It can also be used in the treatment of eczema
, where it can seal steroid ointment underneath and allow it to work more effectively, as well as providing a barrier to prevent the patient from scratching.
As well as promoting healing, hydrocolloid dressings provide great comfort to the patient, as this type of wound is often extremely uncomfortable and an added layer of protection is soothing.
Hydrocolloid dressings are useful in drawing out liquids from granulating
(open) wounds. Some are also suitable for use on wounds with dry slough or necrosis
; the dressing rehydrates the dead tissue, which is then removed by autolysis.
Trade name
A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes, although its registered, legal name, used for contracts and other formal situations, may be another....
s include Duoderm, Granuflex, and 3M Tegaderm Hydrocolloid) is an opaque dressing
Dressing (medical)
A dressing is an adjunct used by a person for application to a wound to promote healing and/or prevent further harm. A dressing is designed to be in direct contact with the wound, which makes it different from a bandage, which is primarily used to hold a dressing in place...
used in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
to provide a moist wound
Wound
A wound is a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured , or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion . In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.-Open:...
-healing environment, while protecting from contamination
Contamination
Contamination is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in material, physical body, natural environment, at a workplace, etc.-Specifics:"Contamination" also has more specific meanings in science:...
. Hydrocolloids were initially utilized in medicine as a reliable, skin-friendly adhesive, useful for securing colostomy
Colostomy
A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a stoma is formed by drawing the healthy end of the large intestine or colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place. This opening, in conjunction with the attached stoma appliance, provides an alternative channel...
appliances to the patient's abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
. Clinicians observed that acute abdominal wounds from colostomy operations healed more rapidly when a hydrocolloid was used. It is biodegradeable, nonbreathable and adheres to the skin
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
so no separate taping is needed.
The active surface of the dressing is coated with a cross-linked adhesive mass containing a dispersion of gelatin, pectin and carboxy-methylcellulose together with other polymers and adhesives forming a flexible wafer. In contact with wound exudate
Exudate
An exudate is any fluid that filters from the circulatory system into lesions or areas of inflammation. It can apply to plants as well as animals. Its composition varies but generally includes water and the dissolved solutes of the main circulatory fluid such as sap or blood...
, the polysaccharides and other polymers absorb water and swell, forming a gel which is held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. The moist conditions produced under the dressing promote fibrinolysis
Fibrinolysis
Fibrinolysis is a process that prevents blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. This process has two types: primary fibrinolysis and secondary fibrinolysis...
, angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
and wound healing, without causing softening and breaking down of tissue. The gel which is formed as a result of the absorption of wound exudate is not mobile and free running but held within the structure of the adhesive matrix. Most hydrocolloid dressings are waterproof, allowing normal washing and bathing. Dressings may be used, under medical supervision, even where aerobic infection
Aerobic organism
An aerobic organism or aerobe is an organism that can survive and grow in an oxygenated environment.Faculitative anaerobes grow and survive in an oxygenated environment and so do aerotolerant anaerobes.-Glucose:...
is present; the infection should be treated appropriately.
The dressing is applied to a cleaned wound. It helps wounds to heal faster. Many people like to apply these patches on the face
Face
The face is a central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can, depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyelashes, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, temple, teeth, skin, and...
in order to heal acne
Acne
Acne is a general term used for acneiform eruptions. It is usually used as a synonym for acne vulgaris, but may also refer to:*Acne aestivalis*Acne conglobata*Acne cosmetica*Acne fulminans*Acne keloidalis nuchae*Acne mechanica...
. They are also used to secure nasogastric tubes or CPAP
CPAP
CPAP may stand for:* Continuous positive airway pressure, a particular type of ventilation therapy* The Center for Public Administration and Policy, an academic department at Virginia Tech...
masks to the patient's face, without causing skin irritation. Hydrocolloid dressings are often used to heal bedsore
Bedsore
Bedsores, more properly known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are lesions caused by many factors—such as unrelieved pressure, friction, humidity, shearing forces, temperature, age, continence, and medication—to any part of the body, especially portions over bony or cartilaginous areas such...
s (also known as pressure ulcers).
It can also be used in the treatment of eczema
Eczema
Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis . In England, an estimated 5.7 million or about one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives.The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions...
, where it can seal steroid ointment underneath and allow it to work more effectively, as well as providing a barrier to prevent the patient from scratching.
As well as promoting healing, hydrocolloid dressings provide great comfort to the patient, as this type of wound is often extremely uncomfortable and an added layer of protection is soothing.
Hydrocolloid dressings are useful in drawing out liquids from granulating
Granulation tissue
Granulation tissue is the perfused, fibrous connective tissue that replaces a fibrin clot in healing wounds. Granulation tissue typically grows from the base of a wound and is able to fill wounds of almost any size it heals...
(open) wounds. Some are also suitable for use on wounds with dry slough or necrosis
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
; the dressing rehydrates the dead tissue, which is then removed by autolysis.