With the discussion on the site, I thought I would send this again. Quite
lengthy
but I feel it is important.
I have a friend who is charge nurse in a wound clinic and deals with
the latest technology in wound healing.
I feel that it would be wise to print this information, research it, and
put it in use
when needed. I am a bullhead and almost needed a 2x4 along my head to
try using tea on my skin. I'm a believer.
Here goes:
I had an area in the groin area, measured 1 inch long and 1/2" wide, with
little depth. Our normal treatment was washing the area with tea to change
the pH in the area, applying Neosporin or something similar, apply
zenaderm and then bag balm. The healing went back and forth, sometimes
getting
better then stepping back. Well, after hunting season I called a friend, RN
at the local wound care center, to give us some ideas. The area first
opened in August due to an attendant not seating me correctly.
After looking at the area my friend suggested a treatment that they are
using at the wound center. Many of us will stay with something that is tried
and true, but we were going down that path and it did not work so let's
try the new stuff.
She recommended using a new dressing with Safetac technology. (
http://www.molnlycke.com/us/Wound-Care-Products/US/Safetac-Technology/ ). The
dressing is called Mepilex Border dressing, _(
http://molnlycke.com/Global/Wound_Care_Products/UK/Product%20Sheets/Advanced/Mepilex%20Border.pdf_
(http://molnlycke.com/Global/Wound_Care_Products/UK/Product%20Sheets/Advanced/Mepilex%20
Border.pdf) ) similar to what I have known as "mini island dressing."
The difference between the two dressings is the Border Dressing uses a tape
that is silicon based and does not damage the skin when removed or when you
shift weight. The border dressing has a telfa style center but is very
thin. A normal dressing would have bunched in this area and the border
dressing does bunch to some extent, but less than the island dressing and is
much
less a problem.
Everyone is aware of the white skin that surrounds a wound as well as
whiteness in the center of the wound.
The whitish film that is in the center of the wound is called bioberden
A product called acticoat, was placed on the area then covered it with the
border dressing. Although manufacturer states that it can remain on seven
days she recommends only three or four days. The acticoat contains silver
which helps to remove the white area and keep the area free of bacteria.
After the wound is clearer of bioberden, we discontinued using acticoat and
started to use another product Puracol AG+ which also has silver in the
product. The Puracol was covered with the Border dressing and remained on
three or four days. Puracol is a collagen product
(
http://www.allegromedical.com/wound-care-c541/puracol-plus-ag-wound-dressing-with-silver-p557629.html
)
the collagen is absorbed into the wound and promotes healing.
We however did run into one problem. We were able to get a few samples on
the border dressing but found that the pharmacies and medical supply
centers in our area did not handle the product. Needing a dressing to keep
Puracol in place we used "Extra thin Hydrocolloid dressing" a dressings
similar
to DuoDerm.
Big mistake! This dressing although very thin folded inward and bunched
on a lump, tearing the skin and causing yet another open area. The
unfortunate part is that the original area was almost healed by this point and
now
we are working with a new area in an area that is even more likely to
bunched up any bandage that is applied. We are using the border dressing and
it
is staying in place with the help of Medfix tape.
I believe that the new procedures reduce the healing time. The original
area which was open for approximately 4 months healed within two-three
weeks.
As I started to search the Internet to purchase the border dressing and
Puracol AG+, IMPORTANT MUST BE AG+(with silver), I found some prices
ridiculous. One vendor had the border dressings at a price of $75 but with a
little searching I found them for $25. The same was true for the Puracol.
In addition we will be using the silicone tape (
http://www.molnlycke.com/us/Wound-Care-Products/Product-Selector---Wound-division/Tabs/Products/Mepita
c/ ) instead of the Medfix tape.
Another tip for us that get yeast infections in the groin area, body folds
and under breasts. I was
prone to yeast infections and my friend also gave me a lesson. A yeast
infection will remain in the skin
2 weeks after any visual signs are gone. I smell a yeast infection before
it appears and start treatment right away. The smell is a musky scent.
I wash the area with tea, fan dry and apply Lamisil or lotramin. Fabric
that has silver embedded,
_www.noblebiomaterials.com_ (http://www.noblebiomaterials.com/) can be
placed in the area which also does wonders.
I make the tea by putting a tea bag, cheap stuff, in a small bowl with 3
ozs. of water. Microwave for
1-2 minutes and let it steep in the microwave for 6+ hours. I make 2
batches at a time, using 1 in
the morning and 1 in the evening.
Works for me!
Glenn
