AQUACEL® Ag Hydrofiber® Wound Dressing

Senior adults > 65 are more prone to have hospital emergency room visits than younger people or adults over the age of 80 for non-fatal scald burns. Not surprisingly most scalds occur in the kitchen, dining area, or bathroom. Two-thirds of emergency room visits are made by women and 76% of the scalds occurred at home. These statistics were taken only from emergency room visits and not doctor's offices or walk-in clinics. When older adults are admitted to the emergency room for injuries caused by scald burns, they typically have longer hospital stays than younger people, due to complications and health issues.

Preventing scald burns with safe living is obviously desired. Cooking on the back burner, putting hot foods in the middle of the table, and turning the hot water heater down to 120 degrees are only a few safety tips. However, when burns do occur proper wound management is essential to not only prevent infection but reduce pain, promote healing, and minimize scarring and psychological trauma.

Wounds need to be kept moist and protected from outside bacteria. A burn improperly cared for can quickly become infected, leading to serious complications. Wounds that are allowed to dry out will heal slower than wounds that are kept moist. Skin cells require moisture to grow and properly close the wound. Moisture prevents the tissue from dehydrating and dying and increases the breakdown of already dead tissue. Moisture reduces pain and accelerates the formation of new blood vessels.

Wound management for burns has changed over the past 40 years. It is now recommended that dead skin cells be removed and the wound to be kept moist, even though there may still be disagreements even among specialists. All burn patients should follow their doctor’s or burn specialist’s recommendations.

The types of wound dressings (bandages) used will either promote a moist environment and promote healing or allow wounds to become dry and hinder proper healing.

AQUACEL® Dressing and AQUACEL® Ag Hydrofiber® Wound Dressing with lonic Silver is a moisture retentive topical dressing that is safe and beneficial in the management of partial-thickness burns (second-degree burns). Aquacel Ag releases silver within the dressing for up to two weeks, requiring fewer dressing changes and promoting faster healing.