Wound gels are used to provide dressings for wounds resulting from ulcers, gangrene, burns, and infected wounds among others. Wound gels are excellent for helping to create or maintain a moist environment. The basic concept behind moist wound healing is that the presence of exudate in a wound will provide an environment that stimulates healing. Wound exudate is a fluid that has exuded out of a tissue or its capillaries due to injury or inflammation.
Things you will need
- Select brand of wound gel – for this article we will look at the Hydrocolloid wound gel
- Occlusive dressing – air and water tight trauma dressing, e.g. Vaseline gauze
Instructions
- Hydrocolloid wound gel cleanses and debrides wounds and absorbs large quantities of wound exudate.
- Cleanse the wound as best as possible using water.
- Apply the wound gel from the tube directly to the wound, partially filling the cavity
- Seal the wound with an occlusive dressing.
- Once the wound is sealed an exudate is generated which is then absorbed by the gel/dressing combination, which swells to fill the entire wound cavity.
- The gel can be replaced after several days.
Don’ts
- Do not use wound gels for moderate to highly exudated wounds
