All About Collagen Wound Dressing

By Beryl Dalton


Wounds are not a comfortable thing to have especially if they are chronic or infected. A new and easier way to manage them is using collagen wound dressing as they help heal much faster. The antimicrobial sections in the dressing help limit and inhibit potential infections. They are still a new concept for many people but have been proven effective in healing of chronic and necrotic wounds from donor/skin grafts, surgery and other causes.

As its known, collagen dressings are enhancers for wound healing and are made animals such as horses and cattle. Usually, it works by creating a moist environment around the wound and as a result speed up the healing process.

To start with, collagen is a protein naturally found in humans. In the body it helps close up wounds and fasten the healing process. This is made because it is able to attract cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts to the broken site. The cells help in angiogenesis, epithelial cells, debridement and reepitheliziation. Also, its a substrate through which new tissues grow. Lastly, it is able to give tensile strength to the skin.

The biological material makes dressings available in varying surface areas and pore sizes. It also available in the form of gels, pastes, powders or sheets placed on broken skin. Such attributes enhances management aspects of the healing process. Every six to seven days, they may be changed to ensure that they remain effective. The length of time needed to change is long making it economical to the patient.

The biological material is used on certain wounds only. For instance, it usually works best with full thick ones or the partial ones too, necrotic ones and chronic non-healing ones. These include those caused by pressure, venous ulcers and diabetic. Also, those from graft sites, abrasions and surgical processes. In addition, burns categorized as first and second degree are healed.

Collagen is not a fix it all type of treatment. Its not recommended for those with third degree burns. Also, its contraindicated for patients with sensitivity to avian, swine or bovine materials. Patients with active vasculities or with sensitivity to silver present in the antimicrobial patch are also not encouraged to use. The dressings may be used for compression therapy if supervised by a trained health care professional.

Note that collagen dressing and its contents are usually meant for a single patient only. Also, they are strictly for external use. During use, one ought to make certain that contact with the intact skin or the edges of this wound are minimal. It should be noted that contacting the unaffected parts can be detrimental to the skin cells. Lastly, its a legal precaution for one to buy from a physician and under the advice of physician.

Compared to other materials, collagen is superior since it is easy to apply. Moreover, it is natural and is known for not causing pain. Since it is natural, patients who are not sensitive tend to not get immunogenic reactions. Its already part of the natural healing process of the body, so it speeds the process even further especially when added artificially. Lastly, it is really effective in patients whose healing process has stalled; it jump starts and speeds up the process.




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