Wound dressings secondary dressing

For moderately to heavily exuding wounds, a secondary dressing may be needed to contain seepage of diluted honey from the primary dressing. 

Foaming the polymer creates small, open cells that are able to hold fluids and the cell size may be controlled during the foaming process. The most common polymer used is polyurethane. Their structure and softness also provide a cushion that protects and contributes to thermal insulation of the wound. They also may be tailored for particular applications such as tracheostomy dressing without particle loss to the wound and with the retention of their conformable characteristics. The non-adhesive foams will require a secondary dressing. 

These dressings are sheets of three-dimensional networks of cross-linked hydrophilic polymers (polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose, modified corn starch). Their formulation may incorporate up to 96% bound water, but they are insoluble in water and they interact by three-dimensional swelling with aqueous solutions. The polymer physically entraps water to form a solid sheet and they have a thermal capacity that provides initial cooling to the wound surface. A secondary dressing is required. 

To achieve best results the honey should be applied to an absorbent dressing prior to application. If applied directly to the wound, the honey tends to run off before a secondary dressing is applied to hold it in place. 

Secondary dressing is needed to prevent the honey ftom oozing out of the wound dressing. 

Lightly exuding wounds, superficial pressure sores, primary dressing and secondary dressing in combination with alginates and hydrogels Undesirable odour producing wounds... 

Silicone Silicone Sheet or gels, some bound to polyamide net or designed as a wound contact layer with secondary dressings CICA-CARE Smith Nephew Silicone... 

The wound environment may be optimally maintained with a product that has the preferred performance parameters but, nevertheless, is disrupted during the dressing change. The hazards of temperature change and secondary infection may be accompanied by a secondary trauma caused by the dressing adhering to the wound and, on removal, stripping newly formed tissue. 

Treatment of skin lesions also follows decontamination and removal of clothes. Decontamination should be completed within 15 min after exposure to minimize any systemic effects. Contaminated hair should be shaved off. The decontaminating solutions should be washed off within 3-4 min to prevent additional skin injury. Sodium hypochlorite (5%) or liquid household bleach can be used. If erythema is already present, soap and water are preferred. Blisters should be left intact, but if broken, should be debrided to prevent secondary infection. Cleansing with tap water or saline and the application of dressings is done when needed. Silver sulfadiazine or mafenide acetate can be applied and the wounds treated as burn wounds. Infected skin wounds require antibiotics as appropriate. 

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