Wound Care Instructions
using Amerigel® Hydrogel Saturated Gauze Dressing
Download printable PDF here.
Amerigel® Hydrogel Saturated Gauze Dressing is indicated for
the following uses: stage I-IV pressure ulcers, diabetic skin ulcers,
venous stasis ulcers, 1st & 2nd degree burns, post-surgical
incisions, cuts and abrasions. The following are general guidelines and
recommendations and do not take the place of proper medical
care by a qualified provider.
Removing the Dressing:
Remove the used dressing carefully, without pulling on the
wound. Healthy tissue will be forming inside the wound and you do
not want to disturb the wound bed. If the gauze sticks to the wound,
saturate it with water or saline and wait for 10 to 15 minutes (Do Not
Use Contact Lens Solutions.) Otherwise, you may need to shower
with the gauze in place and allow the water to loosen the dressing.
Wound Cleansing:
We
recommend cleansing the wound with Amerigel® Wound
Wash solution or a saline irrigation solution (Do Not Use
Contact Lens Solutions.) Pour the saline over the wound and
rinse thoroughly. To avoid disturbing the wound bed, do not
scrub the wound aggressively. Gently blot dry the excess
saline with a clean gauze or cloth before re-applying Amerigel®.
Applying AmeriGel® Hydrogel Saturated Gauze Dressing:
Following
wound cleansing, remove the gauze dressing from the foil package
and place it directly over the wound. Allow the gauze to extend
beyond the edges of the wound by at least 1/2 inch. Depending
on the size of the wound, you may need to use more than one
gauze dressing.
Dressing the Wound:
After covering the wound with the Amerigel®
Dressing, you will need to secure it in place with roll gauze. Dry 4x4 gauze
pads or non-adherent pads can also be used to cover the Amerigel®
dressing and will need to be secured with tape.
Wound Care Tips:
| 1. |
Change the dressing once a day. |
| 2. |
Do not use peroxide, povidine-iodine or
alcohol on a chronic wound that has existed for more than
90 days. |
| 3. |
Some patients report a "stinging" or "burning" sensation,
similar to that of hydrogen peroxide, when they initially
apply Amerigel®. This is the antimicrobial action
working on the wound. |
| 4. |
Increased drainage may occur and the wound
may appear to get deeper with the first few applications.
This is a good sign as long as they both happen together.
Wounds generally heal from the inside out, becoming shallower,
allowing the surrounding skin to close over the wound. |
|
