Cellulose
Cellulose Dressings
Cellulose has recently become a popular material for dressings due to its wound healing products. Here is what you need to know about cellulose products.
About Cellulose Dressing
Cellulose dressings work for a variety of wounds at various stages. They create a moist environment while simultaneously absorbing exudate (fluid). The use of cellulose dressings is relatively new, and research is ongoing about all the potential benefits to wound care.
Known Cellulose Dressing Benefits
There are several obvious benefits of using cellulose for medical dressings and wound care. These include:
Decreased wound pain
Promotion of hemostasis, or slowing of blood flow, via wound compression
Protection of the wound from the environment
Absorbs fluid to help keep the wound clean
Structural support for the wound and protection of surrounding skin
Reduced time between dressing changes
Cellulose Dressing Drawbacks
While there are many benefits to cellulose dressings, there are also a few drawbacks:
They don't naturally protect against bacteria and other microorganisms.
The technology for cellulose dressings is very new and still being explored.
Cellulose Dressing Applications
Cellulose dressings can be used for several types of wounds, including:
Burns: The cellulose provides an excellent environment for healing while keeping the injury dry. The rigid structure for cellulose also keeps the dressing from adhering to the wound, which allows for faster healing.
Wounds on Legs and Feet: Certain cellulose dressings mold around the wound to provide a protected environment while wearing shoes and clothing.
Diabetic Healing: Patients with diabetes can have nerve damage, which slows the natural healing process. Because wounds in such patients heal slower, cellulose dressings, which provide an ideal healing environment, can be particularly helpful for these individuals.
Types of Cellulose Dressings
It's essential to understand the different types of cellulose dressings available.
Bacterial Cellulose
Bacterial cellulose is a recently developed biopolymer created from bacterial byproducts. Bacterial cellulose offers promising abilities to provide a moist environment for wound healing while also controlling fluids from the wound. Because cellulose dressings are rigid, it offers excellent support for wound protection.
Cellulose dressings are not antibacterial, so manufacturers often add antibiotics or other materials with inherent antibacterial properties.
Hydrofiber Dressings: Hydrofiber dressings contain sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a hydrogen-based compound with a cellulose component. The material is woven together into fleece to achieve high absorbency. Upon contact with the wound, Hydrofiber dressings become a moist, coherent gel that helps both protect the wound from bacteria and support wound healing.
Choosing the Right Dressing
In most cases, your healthcare professional will recommend the best type of dressing, depending on the wound. It is a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider before using any dressing to ensure that the specific type is appropriate for your wound.
Cellulose Dressing Sizes
Cellulose dressings come in a variety of sizes ranging from 2x2 to 6x6 inches and more sizes will likely become available as these dressings grow in popularity. The size of the dressing you choose will depend on the size of the wound; it is recommended that a dressing size be at least two times greater than the dimension of the wound. In most cases, your healthcare professional will recommend the ideal size range and type of wound dressing.
Other Types of Dressings to Consider:
Different types of wound dressings include:
Silicone Dressing
Foams
Hydrocolloids
Composites
Transparent films
Gauze dressings
Cellulose has recently become a popular material for dressings due to its wound healing products. Here is what you need to know about cellulose products.
About Cellulose Dressing
Cellulose dressings work for a variety of wounds at various stages. They create a moist environment while simultaneously absorbing exudate (fluid). The use of cellulose dressings is relatively new, and research is ongoing about all the potential benefits to wound care.
Known Cellulose Dressing Benefits
There are several obvious benefits of using cellulose for medical dressings and wound care. These include:
Cellulose Dressing Drawbacks
While there are many benefits to cellulose dressings, there are also a few drawbacks:
Cellulose Dressing Applications
Cellulose dressings can be used for several types of wounds, including:
Types of Cellulose Dressings
It's essential to understand the different types of cellulose dressings available.
Bacterial Cellulose
Bacterial cellulose is a recently developed biopolymer created from bacterial byproducts. Bacterial cellulose offers promising abilities to provide a moist environment for wound healing while also controlling fluids from the wound. Because cellulose dressings are rigid, it offers excellent support for wound protection.
Cellulose dressings are not antibacterial, so manufacturers often add antibiotics or other materials with inherent antibacterial properties.
Hydrofiber Dressings: Hydrofiber dressings contain sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a hydrogen-based compound with a cellulose component. The material is woven together into fleece to achieve high absorbency. Upon contact with the wound, Hydrofiber dressings become a moist, coherent gel that helps both protect the wound from bacteria and support wound healing.
Choosing the Right Dressing
In most cases, your healthcare professional will recommend the best type of dressing, depending on the wound. It is a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider before using any dressing to ensure that the specific type is appropriate for your wound.
Cellulose Dressing Sizes
Cellulose dressings come in a variety of sizes ranging from 2x2 to 6x6 inches and more sizes will likely become available as these dressings grow in popularity. The size of the dressing you choose will depend on the size of the wound; it is recommended that a dressing size be at least two times greater than the dimension of the wound. In most cases, your healthcare professional will recommend the ideal size range and type of wound dressing.
Other Types of Dressings to Consider:
Different types of wound dressings include: