Hydrocolloid dressing
A hydrocolloid dressing is an opaque, translucent, or transparent[1] medical dressing for superficial open wounds. Such a bandage is biodegradable,[2] and breathable; depending on the dressing selected, it may also adhere to the skin so that no separate taping is needed.[3]
The active (wound-side) surface of the dressing is coated with a cross-linked dispersion of gelatin, pectin, and carboxymethyl cellulose together with other polymers, elastomers, and/or adhesives to form a flexible, thin wafer or film; the outer side is typically a polyurethane tape or foam. In contact with wound exudate, the polysaccharides and other polymers absorb water and swell, forming a gel. The gel may be designed to drain, or to remain within the structure of the adhesive matrix.[4]
The moist conditions produced under the dressing are intended to promote wound healing, including fibrinolysis and angiogenesis, without causing softening and breakdown of tissue. Most hydrocolloid dressings are water-resistant, allowing gentle washing and bathing.[5]
Uses
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The dressing is applied to a cleaned wound, and usually used to treat uninfected wounds.[6] The dressings may be used, under medical supervision and with an antibiotic to treat the infection, even where aerobic bacterial infection is present.
In addition to treating abrasions, minor incisions and lacerations, and superficial puncture wounds, hydrocolloid dressings are used to cover skin-graft donor sites,[7] burns,[8] and cutaneous ulcers (including pressure ulcers or "bed sores",[9] venous ulcers,[10] and diabetic foot ulcers).[11]
Small hydrocolloid patches are sometimes also used for acne, to heal the pimples and avoid scars from them.[12]
Large dressings with a consistent, adhesive film across the active side (rather than a central pad of hydrocolloid foam) can be cut into smaller strips or other shapes, for use in place of a traditional adhesive bandage of the same size.
An indirectly medical use of strips of hydrocolloid dressing is as an alternative to surgical tape, e.g. to secure a nasogastric tube or CPAP mask to a patient's face.
Efficacy
Hydrocolloid has been shown to be superior to other dressing substrates (e.g., alginate, film, gauze, hydrofiber, or silicone) tested for treating skin-graft donor sites.[7]
There is tentative but unclear (as of 2013) evidence for the efficacy of hydrocolloid dressings for superficial and partial-thickness burns.[8]
The results of meta-analyses indicate no significant difference in healing rates between hydrocolloid dressings and other dressings (including simple gauze dressings) for venous ulcers,[10] or for diabetic foot ulcers.[11]
References
- ^ "Comfeel Plus Transparent". Coloplast.co.uk. Humlebæk, Denmark: Coloplast. Archived from the original on 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Kennedy, J. F.; Bunko, K. (2009). "The use of 'smart' textiles for wound care". Advanced Textiles for Wound Care. Elsevier. pp. 254–274. doi:10.1533/9781845696306.2.254. ISBN 978-1-84569-271-1. S2CID 107857160. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Wietlisbach, Christine M. (2020). "Wound Care". Cooper's Fundamentals of Hand Therapy. Elsevier. pp. 154–166. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-52479-7.00017-x. ISBN 978-0-323-52479-7. S2CID 243089436. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Thomas, S.; Loveless, P. (14 July 1997). "World Wide Wounds: A comparative study of the properties of twelve hydrocolloid dressings". WorldWideWounds.com. Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory, Bridgend and District NHS Trust. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ "Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory Dressings Datacard: Bordered Granuflex". Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Andrews, Karen L.; Derby, Kelly M.; Jacobson, Therese M.; Sievers, Beth A.; Kiemele, Lester J. (2021). "Prevention and Management of Chronic Wounds". Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Elsevier. pp. 469–484.e4. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-62539-5.00024-2. ISBN 978-0-323-62539-5. S2CID 224870006. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ a b Sinha, S.; Schreiner, A. J.; Biernaskie, J.; Nickerson, D.; Gabriel, V. A. (June 2017). "Treating pain on skin graft donor sites: Review and clinical recommendations". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 83 (5): 954–964. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001615. PMID 28598907. S2CID 44520644.
- ^ a b Wasiak, J .; Cleland, H.; Campbell, F.; Spinks, A. (28 March 2013). "Dressings for superficial and partial thickness burns". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013 (3): CD002106. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002106.pub4. hdl:10072/58266. PMC 7065523. PMID 23543513.
- ^ Heyneman, Alexander; Beele, Hilde; Vanderwee, Katrien; Defloor, Tom (2008). "A systematic review of the use of hydrocolloids in the treatment of pressure ulcers". Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17 (9): 1164–1173. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02218.x. ISSN 1365-2702. PMID 18416792.
- ^ a b Palfreyman, Simon J.; Nelson, E. Andrea; Lochiel, Rona; Michaels, Jonathan A. (6 May 2014). "Dressings for healing venous leg ulcers". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006 (3): CD001103. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001103.pub2. PMID 16855958. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ a b Dumville, Jo C.; Deshpande, Sohan; O'Meara, Susan; Speak, Katharine (6 August 2013). "Hydrocolloid dressings for healing diabetic foot ulcers". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013 (8): CD009099. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009099.pub3. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 7111300. PMID 23922167.
- ^ Massick, Susan (21 December 2020). "This TikTok acne remedy really does work". WexnerMedical.OSU.edu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.