Characteristics / Functions

• Wound gels are excellent for helping to create or maintain a moist environment   Some hydrogels provide absorption, desloughing and debriding capacities to necrotic and fibrotic tissue.
• Hydrogel sheets are cross-linked polymer gels in sheet form. Some are available with an adhesive border

Best Uses

• Helps provide and maintain a moist wound environment
• By increasing moisture content, hydrogels have the ability to help cleans and debride necrotic tissue
• For wounds with minimal or no exudate

Advantages

• Effective in hydrating wound surfaces and liquefying necrotic tissue on the wound surface
• Non-adherent and can be removed without trauma to the wound bed
• "Soothing" effect promotes patient acceptance

Disadvantages

• Not too absorptive, therefore, hydrogels or hydrogel sheets may not be an appropriate choice for moderate to highly exudating wounds
• Require secondary dressings

Hydrogel Sheets Available:

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