DuoDerm is a skin wrap available as an over-the-counter first aid dressing for wounds, leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers, traumatic wounds including superficial wounds, minor abrasions and lacerations, surgical wounds including postoperative and donor sites, and dermatological excisions. DuoDerm's basic function is to help wounds that are healing slowly to heal more quickly and keep them safe from bacterial infection and loss of skin as the dressing is pulled away by using a special gel adhesive that coats the skin and sticks to the wrap---not the skin itself.
Swelling Prevention
Wounds are dressed to keep them from swelling. Ointment also helps in this situation, so the wound does not swell to large proportions, become inflamed, red or open to more irritation from other types of wraps that may exacerbate the healing process. DuoDerm's special gel hardens into a foam-like structure to keep the wound compressed and safe from excess swelling.
Healing Properties
Wraps like DuoDerm also bridge pieces of skin together, allowing new skin to grow over the empty wounded area. Wounds must be closed if they refuse to heal properly. Aside from boosting recovery time for slow-healing wounds, DuoDerm also wraps two unrelated fragments of skin together and allows them to connect as new skin grows over the opening, sealing it off to infection and permanent damage, swelling or exposure to bacteria and open air.
Graft Protection
On a similar note, DuoDerm is used to keep skin grafts out of sunlight, away from bacteria and outside air. Grafts are important medical procedures and it is a painstaking process to oversee the body's acceptance of a new skin graft. Additionally, DuoDerm will not tear new skin or skin grafts as it is removed from the wound every three days because of the foam-like gel that hardens and keeps the dressing intact to the wound, but not to the skin.
Open Air Exposure
Finally, DuoDerm keeps wounds from leaking protein, blood and sweat while exposed to open air. Blood, sweat and leaking proteins from wounds are not only painful, but can be deadly if open nerves are exposed to the airway or bacteria are left undetected to grow inside the wound and create infection. DuoDerm keeps all of the fluid safely contained under the skin wrap and the special gel.
Conclusion
DuoDerm is a must-have product in hospitals and is available over the counter to help people with wound dressing, sterilization and after-care. It is a step forward from old bandages that stuck to skin and were painful to remove. The gel helps a great deal in removing the wrap and ensuring comfort and safety for the patient.
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