Photos by SiriusMed
HEALTH – FIRST AID
dress for success Transparent film – moisture-retentive dressings By Bob Washer
M
ANAGING MINOR soft tissue injuries such as cuts, open blisters, burns and abrasions can be a challenge at the best of times. In outdoor environments associated with activities such as canoeing and kayaking, the constant contact with water increases the risk of wound infection. Providing a physical barrier to external sources of contamination is an important step in the wound management process. Dry dressings such as sterile gauze are easy to apply and inexpensive, but they may actually retard healing by allowing the wound surface to dry out. A dry crust or scab inhibits wound resurfacing by impeding the free migration of skin cells across the edges of the wound.
Optimal wound healing requires moisture
Think of the wound environment and the external environment as two separate universes. The body produces all the moisture a wound needs as long as it can remain covered and protected.
Transparent film
Transparent film is a category of moisture-retentive or occlusive dressing. Transparent films are actually sterile semi-permeable membranes that function very much like Gore-texTM. Fluids cannot pass through the clear film, but sufficient quantities of oxygen get through to keep the wound healthy and prevent the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Transparent film dressings are extremely useful for outdoor applications because they: • Protect against contamination • Lower infection risks • Reduce pain in partial-thickness wounds (because dressing changes 36
Tincture of benzoin will protect the skin and provide a sticky surface.
aren’t traumatic and films insulate and protect sensitive nerve endings) • When properly applied, stay stuck (even when wet) • May be left in place for several days, reducing the overall cost and bulk to be carried on extended trips; • Are completely transparent, allowing visual assessment of the wound so that early signs of infection will be obvious. Apply film carefully to avoid wrinkle channels allowing entry of bacteria. Bloody wounds could best be managed with an application of gauze first, which will adsorb blood and excess fluid. Once the bleeding is arrested, the original dressing can be replaced with a transparent film.
Tips for applying film dressings • Ensure that the skin around the wound is clean and dry. Alcohol applied to the surrounding skin will dissipate moisture and remove any Waterproof barrier allows for visual remaining oils. assessment of the wound. • Application of tincture of benzoin to adjacent healthy skin will provide a sticky surface to keep things in place • Monitor the wound for signs and for days. symptoms of infection such as: • Apply the film dressings carefully o Local pain, tenderness and throbbing so there are no wrinkle channels to o Redness and swelling allow leakage of fluids or entry of o Induration (abnormal firmness of the bacteria. tissue around the wound) • Keep in mind, like Saran Wrap, o Fever and flu symptoms, which will – once it sticks to itself it’s done. indicate a more serious systemic infection. Follow the basic principles of Most pharmacies and medical supply wound management when dressing stores carry transparent film. Ask the a wound: store manager or pharmacist. There are • Ensure that wounds are as clean as many manufacturers but the brands listed humanly possible before applying a below are widely available in Canada. FILM DRESSINGS dressing. Clean the wound with disOpsite (Smith & Nephew), Ployskin II (Kendall), infected or treated water to remove Tagaderm (3M) all foreign material and debris that —Bob Washer is an avid outdoorsman and direcpredispose the wound to infection. A tor of Sirius Wilderness Medicine. He has written small amount of topical antibiotic will numerous articles on wilderness medicine and can be reached at 1-877-982-0066. Excerpt of article reduce bacterial growth.
O T TAWA O U T D O O R S FA L L
that appeared in Rapid Magazine vol 1 issue 2 (spring 1999) www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
