Is there a real expiry to colloidal dressings i.e. anything active that degrades over time?
At the same time anything better for putting over a burn from superheated steam?
I have loads of colloidal dressings as for some reason the NHS seem to want to give them for every small scratch that goes along with an injury that I never bother using and now seems like I actually have a proper use
They do eventually go hard and thus loose their effectiveness IME but that takes years.
They are great on superficial burns and grazes. Hugely speed healing, reduce pain. reduce scarring.
If they are soft and still gel like then I would be happy to use them. They are superb for helping healing and scarring can be reduced massively.
I've got 2 left and there're out of date but luckily they still feel soft 🙂
Just realised that the injury was steam - mine was too.
I used the colloidal dressings then (once it had healed) silicon gel to help minimise the scarring - it is now unnoticeable. You can buy silicon gel sheets online
Cool .. stuck one on (well had to cut into a few pieces it being a hand) the freebies from A&E are all are massive.
and scarring can be reduced massively
Amazing how much importance is placed on that nowadays and how vain we have become.
Usually its just funny ... or I assumed just a way to keep people busy whilst waiting for x rays and stuff. The point of reducing scarring to a scar on top of a scar on top of ... seems a bit pointless if harmless.
However, I was a bit worried when the GP suggested I made an appointment for a mole removed "to avoid scarring"
Bloody hell.. just whip it off please ...
There are practicalities as well with reducing scarring. More flexibility, better resistance to sun damage. less likely to breakdown as yo get older etc etc
stevextc
Free MemberThe point of reducing scarring to a scar on top of a scar on top of … seems a bit pointless if harmless.
Scars are basically bad healing, the idea is just to heal as best as you can. Healthy skin works better than scars, and has less chance of growing back badly causing restrictions, or developing issues like keloid scars. (the big scar on my leg still pulls and restricts 15 years on) . If you can reduce scars, you probably should- why would you not?
If you can reduce scars, you probably should- why would you not?
I don't mind, just think its funny. I'd only really to A&E if something needs resetting or more than a single layer of stitches etc. but they always seem so concerned about a few scratches.
I guess I just feel a bit guilty really as the NHS is so short of funding and resources.
Update .. these are working fantastic on burns. Where I could see the bone I now have pretty pink skin.
I left it without the dressing off for 12 hours or so just to let it dry "a bit" and had it dry out and start bleeding so put another dressing on.
