hydrocolloid bandages have been a life changer for me. i scar like no one’s business and things take ten years to heal, but cleaning it with an antiseptic and then slapping a hydrocolloid on makes a huge difference in both length of time needed for healing and also comfort. I can legit forget i am injured because the bandage is flexible and clear and water resistant, lol
It’s less about no microbes than starting with a reasonable amount. As long as the wound is cleaned of debris and large amounts of dead tissue, one’s immune system will typically be able to prevent bacterial overgrowth or handle a small amount of pathogenic bacteria. I make the distinction in the hope that people don’t go overboard with disinfection. You just need good enough.
I had a sizable wound treated with a hydrocolloid bandage. They’re sealed to form a moist environment by retaining exudate and are changed every 5-7 days. No antibiotics are used. It should have been a festering mess according to previous wisdom, but it was fine the entire time.
Afaik number 2 is outdated knowledge. Letting air to wounds dries them out, which slows the healing process. Keep them fuckers moist!
Moist but not yucky
hydrocolloid bandages have been a life changer for me. i scar like no one’s business and things take ten years to heal, but cleaning it with an antiseptic and then slapping a hydrocolloid on makes a huge difference in both length of time needed for healing and also comfort. I can legit forget i am injured because the bandage is flexible and clear and water resistant, lol
All the WOCN I interact with say emollient (such as Vaseline) is fine but covering traps bacteria.
If you disinfect and cover, there should be no bacteria.
Dress the wound, change dressing routinely, reapply antiseptic when doing so.
It’s less about no microbes than starting with a reasonable amount. As long as the wound is cleaned of debris and large amounts of dead tissue, one’s immune system will typically be able to prevent bacterial overgrowth or handle a small amount of pathogenic bacteria. I make the distinction in the hope that people don’t go overboard with disinfection. You just need good enough.
I had a sizable wound treated with a hydrocolloid bandage. They’re sealed to form a moist environment by retaining exudate and are changed every 5-7 days. No antibiotics are used. It should have been a festering mess according to previous wisdom, but it was fine the entire time.