Hydrocolloid Dressings

With technological advancements in science and medicine, the use of first aid has surely revolutionized in a manner never perceived to be a good decade ago. There has been constant improvement in medical gauzes, bandages, Unna boots and other foam dressings but it is worthwhile to specifically note that Hydrocolloid dressings have also been escalated to much useful effect as well.  Unfortunate injuries can happen anytime in our lives. Whether we are on the go or are sitting in our lounge, there is no telling when and where the injury would happen. The best practice though is to be prepared of when it happens and how to successfully reduce the after effects. Furthermore, Hydrocolloid wound dressings are very necessary if there is a severe injury causing excessive leakage. The material embedded in these particular wound healing products makes them sticky and hence the applicant would not have to use external tapes and bandages to place it on the severed skin portion. Another great trait these thin Hydrocolloid dressings have is that they are absorbent. In comparison to foam dressings Hydrocolloid dressings are very thin in nature hence when applied to the patient, it does not irritate or make a rash; furthermore as they are equally absorbent many first aid specialists are using these in replacement for foam dressings and Unna boots. The following step by step procedure is a general guide on how to successfully apply Hydrocolloid dressings to a first aid patient.
How is Hydrocolloid dressings used?

1. Before initially applying any sort of bandage or dressing to an injured person make sure you assess the injury before doing anything.
2. In assessing the situation, make sure you identify whether there is a severe wound or a minor puncture and then proceed with the application.
3. If there is a severe wound it should not be advisable to directly use hydrocolloid dressings. Sometimes exposure to a lot of wound leakage breaks the dressing down. As Hydrocolloid has medicine embedded into the roll itself it sometimes reacts with the surroundings and the dressing breaks down.
4. When a dressing breaks down there is a lot of color change near the wound and a pungent odor escapes the point of impact. People often confuse this with infection but it is just the dressing reacting and breaking down due to exposure to the surroundings.
5. If a Hydrocolloid dressing is used in a severe wound injury then the dressing should be changed after a few days.
6. Hydrocolloid dressing is coupled with medicine on its roll itself hence no ointment should be placed before using this wound healing product.
7. In most cases, Hydrocolloid dressings are used mostly in wound such as leg ulcers. As they are quite absorbent the drainage that is seeped from such wounds are absorbed highly by the material.
8. Furthermore Hydrocolloid dressings should never be singly wrapped. The material as it is very thin and therefore two or three fold should be implied if a person is treating any sort of wound.
9. The best part about Hydrocolloid dressings is that they are comfortable even after many applied folds so using such would be beneficial if it is necessary for the person to move around continuously.
10.  The dressing should be changed after use of 2-3 days.