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Hydrogel Dressings

Hydrogel dressings are an advanced wound care product. They are best known for creating an optimal, moist environment to aid in healing wounds. This dressing is semi-occlusive, keeping out bacteria while transferring vapor. Its semi-transparent construction allows some wound observation. Because the dressing contains mostly water, it does not stick to the wound. The major ingredients found in these dressings is deionized water, glycerin, and othe

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Guide to Hydrogel Dressings

Hydrogel wound dressings are water-based or glycerin-based wound dressings. Manufacturers also include other ingredients such as allantoin, aloe barbadensis gel, diazolidinyl urea, sodium polyacrylate, propylene glycol USP, propylene glycoltetrasodium EDTA, hyaluronic acid, sodium metabisulBte FCC, methyparaben, methylparaben NF, propylparaben, propylparaben NF, propylparaben NFPEG-4 Olivate, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, hyaluronic acid, sodium metabisulfite FCC, and tocopherol acetate. Hydrogel dressings with higher concentrations of glycerin, offer improved absorption, bacteriostatic activity, and extended duration between bandage changing.

Hydrogel comes in several forms to choose from, including amorphous gel, impregnated gauze pads, cut-to-fit sheets, border dressings, or fillers. It also comes blended with zinc, Leptospermum, silver, and alginate to promote cell division and for infection control. This dressing absorbs exudate and provides autolytic debridement. It passes water vapor while protecting the wound from harmful airborne particles. The dressing stays in contact with the wound. Most often, a secondary dressing keeps the dressing in place. Some dressings are available with adhesive borders.

Indications

minor burns
skin tears
abrasions
skin grafts
sloughy wounds
necrotic wounds
neonatal extravasation and excoriation
diabetic ulcers
pressure sores
surgical wounds

Contraindications

peripheral vascular disease in the presence of gangrenous tissue
heavy exudate

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

promotes a moist environment
provides autolytic debridement
offers moderate absorbency
helps reduce pain
transparent options provide visual of wound
rehydrate devitalized tissue
promotes autolysis
high moisture vapor transmission
autolytic debridement
light exudate draining
Rehydrates necrotic eschar

Disadvantages

not for use on heavy exudating wounds
may cause maceration to adjacent skin
may require a secondary dressing

FAQ's

How do you use this dressing?

These wound care products help regulate fluid exchange on wound surfaces. They maintain a moist environment for wound healing.

What is a hydrogel used for?

This type of dressing provides autolytic debridement for necrotic wounds. It promotes granulation and wound healing while offering a warm and moist wound environment to promote healing. It offers light to moderate exudation.

How do hydrogel bandages work?

The design of these dressings employs a thin mesh impregnated with a gel. The gel interacts with the wound to provide a moist wound environment. It also absorbs exudate into the gel, away from the wound.

How do you use hydrogel sheet dressing?

Sheet dressings offer significant flexibility for patient wound care. They may be cut-to-fit the size of the wound. A secondary dressing holds the dressing in place. Replace the dressing every 1 to 4 days.

When should you use hydrogel dressings? What kind of wound is hydrogel used for?

This type of dressing is best for the following wound types:

Full thickness wounds
Partial thickness wounds
Dry wounds
Radiation damaged tissue and skin
Minor first- and second-degree burns
Stage II to IV pressure ulcers

How long does a hydrogel dressing last?

These dressing should last from one to four days between changes.

What are the types of Hydrogel dressings?

Below is a list of the different types of hydrogel wound care products.

Type	Use	Product Example
Hydrogel Dressings	mends wound cavities	Carrington CarraSyn Hydrogel
Hydrogel Pads	semi-occlusive dressing	Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pad
Hydrogel Ointments	prevent scabs, reduce scarring	Amerx Amerigel Advanced Formula Hydrogel
Hydrogel Sheets	soft, flexible cut-to-fit	Medline CarraDres Clear Sterilein
Hydrogel Bandages	cuts and partial-thickness burns	Covidien Aquaflo Hydrogel Transparent Dressing
Hydrogel Wound Gel	natural barrier	Regenecare Hydrogel Wound Care Gel
Hydrogel Filler	mends wound cavities	3M Tegaderm Hydrogel Wound Filler
Amorphous Hydrogel	malleable, free-flowing gel	McKesson Amorphous Hydrogel Wound Dressing
Hydrogel Island Dressing	adhesive border	DeRoyal Aquasorb Hydrogel Dressing
Impregnated Hydrogels	glycerine formulation will not dry out	Curafil Impregnated Hydrogel Gauze Sponge