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Contact Layer Dressing / Non-Adherent Dressing
Contact layer dressings such as Mepitel and Tegaderm are thin non-adherent dressings placed directly over the wound, keeping the wound bed covered and ensuring that other dressings don’t come into contact with the wound. These dressings contour to the shape of the wound, and are porous so that wound fluid can pass through the contact layer into the secondary dressing. Contact layer wound dressings also help prevent wound trauma and block debris from entering the wound bed. Read More...
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McKesson Wound Contact Layer Dressing
Starting at $5.48 -
McKesson Hydrocolloid Dressing Film Backing
Starting at $2.07 -
3M Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing
Starting at $2.03 -
PolyMem Film Island Dressings
Starting at $9.52 -
Hydrofilm Transparent Film Dressings
Starting at $6.20 -
DuDress Film Top Island Dressings
Starting at $67.45 -
3M Tegaderm HP Transparent Film Dressings
Starting at $1.18 -
3M Tegaderm + Pad Film Dressings
Starting at $1.13 -
Opsite Flexifix Transparent Film Dressing
Starting at $16.00
Benefits of Contact Layer Dressings
Contact layer dressings are not regular dressings. These dressings are designed to be used between the wound and the dressing. There are several benefits to contact layer dressings:
- Non-Adherent: These dressings are specifically designed to be placed directly over the wound, and are therefore very unlikely to cling to the wound bed and cause trauma.
- Perforated: The contact layer dressing is porous, so that it can wick exudate (excess fluids) away from the wound bed, and into the secondary dressing, and deliver topical treatments to the wound.
- Less Frequent Changes: Some contact layer dressings can remain in place for up to two weeks. Many times, they don’t need to be changed very often, and also, having a contact layer dressing prevents the secondary dressing from having to be changed as often.
- Maceration: These dressings usually help prevent the wound from maceration, which is when the wound is oversaturated with moisture for a prolonged period and becomes a little soggy, or seems whiter in color. Macerated skin is more prone to infection, and often takes longer to heal, so it’s important to do whatever you can to prevent it.
- Transparent: Many of the options of wound contact layer dressings are transparent, so that you can get a good idea of where the wound is holding without having to remove the contact layer.
- Topical Medications: Topical medications can be applied even when one is using a contact layer dressing.
- Wound Fillers: These can often be used as wound fillers. Deeper wounds, however, may also require packing gauze to fill the wound properly.
When to Use Contact Layer Dressings
Contact layer dressings can be used for moderate to heavily exuding wounds, and for wounds which are surrounded by sensitive, fragile tissue. Here are some specific situations where contact layer dressings are optimal: skin tears, lacerations, foot and leg ulcers, venous and pressure ulcers, blisters, surgical wounds, infected wounds, donor sites, and partial-thickness burns.
Contraindications: When Not to Use Contact Layer Dressings
These dressings should not be used for third degree burns, surgical implantation, tunneling wounds, or wounds with eschar or necrotic tissue. Some contact layer dressings, such as the one from McKesson, should not be used in conjunction with oxidizing solutions.
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