How Aquacel Dressings Work
Aquacal dressing is required when people suffer from burns and deep lacerations and a special type of dressing is necessary. This helps to repair the skin and keep the wound clean and sterile so that the skin heals cleanly and quickly without scarring. Aquacel dressings are infused with silver which helps to reduce any bacteria or contamination from entering the wound and causing infection.
This type of dressing comes in two different styles, the absorbent dressing pads and the ribbon form which is used for packing cavities. Aquacel is used in the treatment of second degree burns and also a 3rd degree burn, as well as ulcers, surgical wounds, trauma wounds and lacerations. A wound that is seeping or bleeding can be covered with this fabric and will be kept moist and clean with no risk of infection. The ionic silver which is present in the dressing carries anti viral and anti bacterial properties which kill any infection or contaminants that enter the area. The dressing is designed to keep a moist and sterile environment for the wound to heal without scabbing and drying to the skin. The silver also helps to absorb the bloods and fluid form the wound and creates a protective gel covering over the wound. The gel covering will help to keep the wound moist, and promotes healthy repair and growth of new skin which will be needed to cover the area. Treatment guidelines for second degree burns show that you need to make sure that the wound is clean and there is no sign of infection before it is covered, this is to ensure the environment under the dressing does not breed more bacteria and allow it to thrive.
Aquacel dressings are available all over the world and you can buy them over the counter. There is a variety of different shapes and sizes which allow for you to find the perfect size for the wound. The ideal size to use is generally about 2cm over the size of the wound so that the adhesive does not come into contact with any broken sensitive skin. For wounds that are seeping or bleeding a fair amount, there are thicker, more absorbent dressings which will provide a better barrier between the atmosphere and the wound. Once the wound has begun healing and the exudate becomes less, the dressing can be thinner and will remain in place purely to moisturize and protect the wound. The ribbon dressings, which contain the silver traces, are used to pack into cavity wounds which are deeper and need to be kept moist, covered and sterile. They are used until the wound is only superficial, at which point the dressing would be changed to the absorbent pads.
There is a wide variety of different types of wound dressings available today which can be used to treat minor injuries such as burns, cuts, bruises and ulcers. For burns, in particular, scarring is a big problem. The Aquacel dressing is a brilliant treatment aid which allows you to protect and repair the skin, while at the same time, preventing scarring and healing the wound quickly and cleanly.
