What is Duoderm Used for?
Duoderm is a hydrocolloid (it interacts with the wound exudates or drains to form a gel with water) dressing marketed by Convatec. This latex free dressing has a triple hydrocolloid matrix with a viral and bacteria barrier. Duoderm is available in a variety of sizes and shapes and there is regular duoderm and extra thin duoderm. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) dressing available worldwide and at your local pharmacy.
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Definition
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Duoderm is a skin dressing that promotes healing of wounds. Duoderm provides a moist environment to the wound, this characteristic under the dressing cause epithellalization (the re-growth of skin over a wound) but no maceration (to make soft). It has a flexible polyurethane outer foam layer and an adhesive skin contact layer.
Function
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Duoderm is excellent for use on lacerations, cuts, bruises, burns skin ulcers and wounds that are slow to heal. It's an ideal dressing for diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers and full and partial thickness skin grafts. It adheres well to the wound and will not allow any leakage. Because of this feature, it is effective for securing colostomy pouches to a patient's abdomen. Duoderm dressing can stay in place for up to seven days.
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How to Apply
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The wound should be cleaned using sterile techniques. The paper backing is removed from an appropriate size dressing for the wound and is applied gently over the wound. There should be at least a 2 cm margin over the wound edges to allow for a secure sealing of the dressing.
Advantages
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There are many advantages to using duoderm dressing. Because duoderm is a hydrocolloid dressing, bacteria and other contaminants cannot permeate it. Duoderm has an autolyte debridement effect (the ability to clean up the wound). It is waterproof dressing so a patient can bathe or shower with it. The extra thin version of duoderm dressing is transparent so the wound can be observed without removing the dressing.
Warning
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Do not use duoderm dressing if there has been an allergic reaction to it in the past. The initial use of duoderm should be done under the direction of a health care professional. Duoderm dressing should not be used if an anaerobic (bacteria that does not need oxygen to grow) infection is present.
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