Wounds are always trouble especially when they get infected. With collagen wound dressing, however, they heal much faster. In addition, the dressings come with antimicrobial agents which inhibit potential infections. Although, new to some patients, they show excellent results in healing necrotic wounds, second degree burns and skin grafts. So what exactly are they?
Collagen dressings are biological materials used in covering wounds to enhance healing. They are made from animal sources such as cattle, horse or porcine and later treated to prevent allergic reactions. It maintains a moist environment to enhance healing. It is fitted with gelling actions which sooth the patient and provides comfort.
For starters, collagen is a protein. Its found naturally in humans whose function is to help close up a wound and speed the recovery process. This happens because of its ability to attract fibroblasts and keratinocytes to the site of broken skin. Subsequently, it encourages debridement, re-growth of epithelial cells and angiogenesis. Lastly, it is a natural scaffold for growth of new tissues and responsible for giving the skin its tensile strength. Fibroblasts bring together the matrix to form stronger scar.
The biological material comes in different pores and surface areas which makes management of the healing process easier. Also, the dressing comes in various forms such as gels, powders, pastes and sheets to be placed on the site of this broken place. They can be changed once a week which ensures that they remain effective. Besides, it makes 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.
However, collagen does not fix all broken skins like third degree burns. The dressing also is contradicted for patients with active vasculities or those with known sensitivity to bovine, swine or avian materials. The material is also contraindicated for patients with sensitivity to the silver used in the antimicrobial patch. If under supervision of a health care professional, the dressings may be used for compression therapy.
Only one patient is required to use the contents of these collagen dressings. In addition, its not for internal use, only external. Since contact with unaffected parts is detrimental to the skin cells, one should ensure that none of these contents touch the intact skin during use. Even the edges of the broken skin should not be touched by contents.
Collagen is superior to other conventional materials because it is easy to apply. It is also natural and pain free, therefore, it does not induce immunogenic reactions. Since it is a key component of the healing process, it speeds up the process artificially. If the healing process stalls, the dressings also help in jump starting and speeding up the process. Fibroblasts bring together the matrix to form stronger scar.
Collagen dressings are biological materials used in covering wounds to enhance healing. They are made from animal sources such as cattle, horse or porcine and later treated to prevent allergic reactions. It maintains a moist environment to enhance healing. It is fitted with gelling actions which sooth the patient and provides comfort.
For starters, collagen is a protein. Its found naturally in humans whose function is to help close up a wound and speed the recovery process. This happens because of its ability to attract fibroblasts and keratinocytes to the site of broken skin. Subsequently, it encourages debridement, re-growth of epithelial cells and angiogenesis. Lastly, it is a natural scaffold for growth of new tissues and responsible for giving the skin its tensile strength. Fibroblasts bring together the matrix to form stronger scar.
The biological material comes in different pores and surface areas which makes management of the healing process easier. Also, the dressing comes in various forms such as gels, powders, pastes and sheets to be placed on the site of this broken place. They can be changed once a week which ensures that they remain effective. Besides, it makes 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.
However, collagen does not fix all broken skins like third degree burns. The dressing also is contradicted for patients with active vasculities or those with known sensitivity to bovine, swine or avian materials. The material is also contraindicated for patients with sensitivity to the silver used in the antimicrobial patch. If under supervision of a health care professional, the dressings may be used for compression therapy.
Only one patient is required to use the contents of these collagen dressings. In addition, its not for internal use, only external. Since contact with unaffected parts is detrimental to the skin cells, one should ensure that none of these contents touch the intact skin during use. Even the edges of the broken skin should not be touched by contents.
Collagen is superior to other conventional materials because it is easy to apply. It is also natural and pain free, therefore, it does not induce immunogenic reactions. Since it is a key component of the healing process, it speeds up the process artificially. If the healing process stalls, the dressings also help in jump starting and speeding up the process. Fibroblasts bring together the matrix to form stronger scar.