Compeed® plasters are hydrocolloid plasters.
A hydrocolloid plaster contains an active gel to absorb fluid from the wound (called exudate), creating and maintaining a moist environment that promotes healing.
There are several types of hydrocolloid plaster that treat different types of uninfected wounds such as low exudate wounds, spots/pimples, bedsores, superficial burns, leg ulcers, burns, leg ulcers, etc.
Hydrocolloid technology: mode of action in Compeed® products
The Compeed® range of hydrocolloid plasters are specifically designed to treat and/or relieve blisters, cold sores, corns, calluses and bunions. Each Compeed® plaster is generally designed for a specific area of the body (heel, mouth, toe, sole of the foot, etc.). The hydrocolloid plaster technology used in these plasters protects the skin against friction and pressure thanks to its cushioning effect, which relieves pain and accelerates wound healing or in the case of corns, helps removal. Compeed® plasters act like a second skin and must remain in place to optimize the healing process.
Hydrocolloid technology can also be used to treat cold sores. During an outbreak of cold sores, the Compeed® cold sores patch, thanks to its ultra-fine hydrocolloid technology, will treat the cold sore like a wound. By absorbing exudates from the lesion and maintaining a moist environment, it will reduce the severity of the scabs, accelerate scarring and healing, and relieve pain. The patch will also protect the cold sore from additional infections, isolate it to limit the risk of contamination and make it less visible.
Why does healing in a moist environment with Compeed® accelerate healing?
Healing in a dry environment:
When a wound is left open or treated with a regular plaster, healing takes place in a dry environment. After a wound has occurred, the healing process is immediately initiated: after stopping any bleeding, the blood vessels dilate to release fluid (exudate) and a number of cells needed to clean the wound and repair the lesion. This results in a moist environment that is more conducive to the functioning and development of the cells responsible for the healing process. At the end of this phase, the vessels contract, stopping the leakage of liquid or exudate. This will cause the wound to dry out and promote the formation of a thick crust (scab) in order to protect the wound from external infections. In a dry environment, healing takes place under this crust, which slows down the process because the cells involved in the healing process need fluid for their functioning and regeneration. Healing in a dry environment is slow and can be more painful.
Healing in a wet environment:
The hydrocolloid plaster absorbs and retains wound fluid, which keeps the wound moist whilst protecting it. This moist environment allows “cleansing” cells to move more easily to the wound, reducing local inflammation and promoting the production of collagen, a component of the skin. The cells involved in the healing process therefore develop better in a moist environment. Healing in a moist environment is faster and prevents the formation of a thick crust, thus reducing the risk of scarring.
COMPEED® HYDROCOLLOID TECHNOLOGY
How does a hydrocolloid plaster such as Compeed® act on a blister?
A blister is a type of wound and the hydrocolloid technology will therefore help it to heal faster by the following processes.
- The plaster contains hydrocolloid particles. These hydrocolloid particles are distributed throughout the plaster and absorb fluid from the wound (exudate). They maintain an optimal moisture level to accelerate healing. During treatment, the hydrocolloid particles swell which creates a cushioning effect, redistributing pressure and providing instant pain relief.
- The hydrocolloid plaster is composed of a polyurethane film. It is flexible and adapts to the surface to be covered to help mobility. It protects the wound from external bacteria, thus preventing the risk of infection.
- The plaster, while being water-resistant outside the wound, allows excess wound fluid to evaporate from the wound and allows the skin to breathe.
Compeed® plasters have bevelled edges to maximise adhesion to the skin. They act like e a second skin and remain in place for several days*.
*Duration may vary depending on the individual
The hydrocolloid plaster technology of Compeed® plasters treat and/or relieve your wound, corn or callus at all stages of development :
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Prevention. Use Compeed plasters to:
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prevent Blisters if wearing new shoes, playing sports, standing all day long if or you haven’t worn shoes in a while
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prevent the formation of corns and calluses by limiting friction and pressure.
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As soon as the first signs of discomfort appear:
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Blisters:at the first signs of irritation or blister formation, the Compeed® blister plaster will relieve the pain due to friction thanks to its cushioning effect.
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Corns and calluses: as soon as the corn is born, the Compeed® corn plaster rehydrates the skin to facilitate the removal of the corn and relieves pressure.
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Cold sore: when a cold sore flare-up occurs, Compeed® Cold Sore Patch can be applied at the first sign of symptoms (tingling) to promote healing.
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Treatment/relief of cold sores, blisters, corns and partridge eyes, calluses and bunions:
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Blisters: Compeed® specialist plasters will relieve the pain caused by the blister and help the skin heal faster.
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Corns and calluses: the Compeed® plaster maintains an environment which removes the corn by moisturizing and softening it and relieves pain.
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Cold sores: the Compeed® discreet patch treats the cold sore lesion throughout all stages of development to facilitate healing and resolution.
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Sources
Dr. Karlsmark T. An open, ramised, comparative, explorative phase IV clinical investigation of the efficacy and safety of the Compeed Hydro Cure System as hydrocolloid dressing vs a conventional gauze dressing on experimental blisters and superficial wounds, Copenhagen, August1999 – March 2000
Winter GD, Formation of the scab and the rate of epithelialisation of superficial wounds in the skin of the young domestic pigs. Nature, 1962,193: 293-4.
Artus-Arduise et al. Hydrocolloid blister plasters vs. standard plasters for foot blisters treatment in real life. Clin Res Trials, 2020, Volume 6: 1-7. ISSN: 2059-0377