Hydrocolloid dressing

Not to be confused with Hydrogel 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]

A large hydrocolloid dressing

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

A hydrocolloid dressing on a finger

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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^[update]) 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]