Peter Murphy
I wouldn't suggest using the paint on "second skin". I think they usually
contain alcohol and sting like hell.
Pete Murphy
From: Mike Murray <mike.m-@obra.org>
Reply-To: mike.m-@obra.org
To: OBRA list <ob-@topica.com>
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] 1st aid suggestion
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:38:10 -0700
I have not used the liquid wound treatments. I doubt that they would work
very well with abrasions since abrasions are too exudative, i.e. they put
out a lot of fluid until the skin heals. I find it difficult to see how
these things would work without having the material pushed off by the wound
exudate. I guess they can be useful for less exudative things like small
lacerations or pressure ulcers but probably not for abrasions.
Semi permeable dressings like Tegaderm will collect fluid under them and
eventually pop the dressing off, usually at the least convenient times.
The
fluid collected under them will also macerate the surrounding intact skin.
To prevent this I always apply them with a drain as I describe at
http://www.obra.org/wound_care.html.
"First I paint around the wound with Mastisol or tincture of benzoine.
These
are products that make the skin sticky so the Tegaderm (or whatever brand
you use) will stick to the skin around the wound better. Be careful not to
get this stuff in the actual abrasion because it will sting like mad. I
then
take a Q-tip and some greasy stuff, like Vaseline, and draw a line of
grease
from the middle of the abrasion to the most dependant part. This line of
grease will keep the Tegaderm from sticking at that point and will allow
the
fluid that comes out of the wound to drain out. The Tegaderm then goes over
the abrasion. If the abrasion is too big to be covered by one piece you can
overlap the pieces to get it covered. It is important that the Tegaderm
extends out over about an inch of intact skin. Now cover at least the
opening of the drain created by the grease with an absorbent dressing to
catch the goo that will come out of the wound. If you place the dressing
this way you can usually leave the Tegaderm on for 4-7 days. Obviously the
absorbent dressing should be changed when soiled but the Tegaderm stays in
place and you can exercise and shower with it in place."
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: Jake Bigham [mailto:ja-@chesshirarchitecture.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 13:42 PM
To: roger-@speakeasy.net
Cc: OBRA list
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] 1st aid suggestion
All you first aid authorities out there (especially Mike and the other MD
types)-
What about the "paint on" dressings? I think one of them is called "liquid
bandage" and a bunch of manufacturers make the same basic stuff. What are
the pros and con with that stuff?
On another note I remember having a little road rash in May and I used what
I think was the same or similar to the Tegaderm (sort of has the look and
feel of skin, stretchy, and sticky on one side). The problem was as the
area
"weeped" all sorts of interesting fluids - sorry I hope no one is eating as
they tread this- the dressing sort of ballooned up until it looked like I
had a paste on boil on my hip and elbow. This stuff was not clear though,
it
was opaque, so maybe it is not the same.
Jake Bigham
2774 SW Summit Dr.
Portland, OR 97201
h/ 503 228 1338
c/ 503 419 8012
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