The Role and Precautions of Hydrocolloids in the Treatment of Pressure Sores

I. The role of hydrocolloids in the treatment of pressure sores

Hydrocolloid dressings are mainly composed of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, which is hydrophilic and sticky. They promote the healing of pressure sores in the following ways:

1. It can come into contact with wound exudate to form a layer of moist gel, providing a moist and closed environment for wound healing, promoting cell proliferation and epithelial cell movement.

2. It is semi-permeable, can isolate bacterial invasion, inhibit bacterial reproduction, and reduce the risk of infection;

3. It has good viscosity, adheres firmly without affecting activities, fits tightly to the skin, and is not easy to cause allergies.

II. Precautions for use that need to be understood

1. Hydrocolloid dressings are not recommended for wounds with severe infections, exposed bones and tendons, and high exudate.

2. Hydrocolloid dressings form gel after contact with wound exudate. When the dressing is opened, purulent substances similar to those can be seen in the wound, accompanied by a special smell; sometimes color changes and swelling can be seen on the appearance, which is the protein in the dressing itself and the exudate.

3. Alginate dressings can be used for wounds with superficial to full-thickness injuries, wounds with moderate to large amounts of exudate, cavities and sinuses, infected and bleeding wounds, but are not recommended for dry wounds and wounds with eschar.

4. For wounds with excessive granulation tissue growth and a large amount of exudate, foam dressings can be used to keep the local area moist and clean by using its strong exudate absorption capacity, and elastic bandages can be used to inhibit the proliferation of granulation tissue.

5. Keep the wound moist and the surrounding skin dry to avoid affecting the repair of the wound surface due to excessively frequent dressing changes.

6. For patients with pressure sores, turning over is necessary, and the use of various instruments and dressings cannot replace turning over.