All About Collagen Wound Dressing

By Beryl Dalton


Wounds are a nuisance especially when they get infected or if they are chronic. Collagen wound dressing provides an easier way to make them heal much faster. Also, the dressing has an antimicrobial patch which limits potential infections. Despite the fact that they are a new concept to most patients, they are ideal in healing most types of wounds such as second degree burns and skin grafts.

Over the years, collagen dressing have been identified as wound healers or rather catalysts that enhances the healing process by creating a moist environment that creates a suitable condition for the healing process. It usually is harvested from animals such as cattle and horses.

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.

Dressings made from the biological material are available in variety of pore sizes and surface areas and may be in form of gels, pastes, powders or sheets that are placed on broken skin. These attributes enhances management aspects of the healing process. They are changed every seven days on average to remain effective. Since they last a while without the need to change, they are economical for the patient and maintain the environment for a while.

The material works in certain type of wounds. Its applied to full thick or partial ones, chronic non-healing, necrotic and those with minimal to heavy exudates. Such wounds may be emanating from graft sites, surgical processes or abrasions. Also, those caused by diabetes, pressure and venous ulcers are treated by type of dressing. Lastly, they also work well on first and second degree burns.

Collagen is not a fix it all type of treatment. Its not recommended for those with third degree burns. Also, its contraindicated for patients with sensitivity to avian, swine or bovine materials. Patients with active vasculities or with sensitivity to silver present in the antimicrobial patch are also not encouraged to use. The dressings may be used for compression therapy if supervised by a trained health care professional.

The collagen contents can only be used on one patient at a time. It is also, for strictly external use only. When using, there should be minimal contact with the intact skin and edges of the broken skin. In addition, its illegal to buy from or on order from anyone apart from a physician.

There are several advantages of collagen which make it superior to other conventional materials. It is already a component of the natural healing process of the body, so it speeds the process of healing even further when added artificially. Also, its natural and does not cause pain; therefore, it does not induce immunogenic reactions in patients who are not sensitive. Patients whose healing has stalled resulting to a chronic wound also benefit. The dressing helps jumpstart and speed up the process.




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