How to use hydrocolloid dressing? Generally, clinicians have the most experience. The hydrocolloid dressing is a dressing containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The layer in contact with the wound surface is composed of pectin, gelatin and CMC, and the outer layer is a polyurethane film. When the hydrocolloid comes into contact with the wound surface, the components of the hydrocolloid come into contact with the exudate, absorbing water and begin to swell into a gel shape, providing a moist healing environment for the wound surface. The principles of how hydrocolloid dressings promote wound healing are as follows:

1. Provide a moist healing environment.
2. A slightly acidic environment can be formed, which is conducive to the de-scrusting effect of the enzyme.
3. Provide a layer of heat insulation for the wound to make the temperature of the wound close to the body temperature.
4. The hypoxic environment formed on the wound surface can promote the formation of capillaries and granulation tissue.



What are the characteristics of hydrocolloid dressings?

1. The hydrocolloid dressing is breathable and waterproof.
2. Keep the wound closed to prevent bacterial invasion.
3. There are different thicknesses and shapes, and the thinner hydrocolloid has good compliance and can adapt to different anatomical parts of the body.
4. After absorbing the exudate, the dressing can be seen to become white and swell, which is convenient for evaluating the frequency of dressing replacement.
5. The wound may produce odor after use, which may be smelled when the dressing is removed.
6. A gel-like substance is formed after contact with the wound surface, which is often mistaken for wound infection.
7. Some hydrocolloid products also have a grid design, which is convenient for recording changes in wound size.
8. Some products are transparent in appearance, and the wound can be directly observed.
9. Some products are easy to curl.
10. In the early stage of use, the wound area may become larger due to the self-dissolving cleansing effect.

In clinical practice, in addition to the above indications, how to use hydrocolloid dressings?

1. Protect the skin: In clinical work, sometimes use seamless glue to close the wound. During the pulling process, blisters may appear on the normal skin to which the seamless tape is pasted. Therefore, a small piece of water can be cut in advance in clinical practice. The glue is attached to the normal skin, and then the seam-free tape is attached to the hydrocolloid to stretch the wound to protect the skin. In fact, when hydrocolloids are used in wounds, they are mainly used to stick to the healthy skin around the wound. When they are removed, they may damage the fragile skin, so be careful when removing them.

2. Prevent medical device-related pressure ulcers: hydrocolloid dressings can be used for masks and nasal intubation to reduce the pressure and friction of the device on the skin and prevent medical device-related pressure ulcers.

3. For patients undergoing an intestinal stoma, if the excrement from the stoma contaminates the wound, a hydrocolloid dressing can be applied to the wound to promote wound healing and avoid contamination of the wound, as well as to better stick to the stoma floor.

4. The hydrocolloid should be about 2cm wider than the wound to make the dressing fit the skin sufficiently. If the depth of the wound is more than 5mm, a suitable dressing should be selected to fill the wound before using the hydrocolloid dressing, and it should be replaced according to the exudation.