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Collagenase ointment is usually used to treat wounds with dead tissue, also known as necrosis tissue, as it contains an enzyme that is capable of removing this type of tissue, promoting cleansing and facilitating healing. For this reason, this ointment is widely used by health professionals to treat wounds that are difficult to heal, such as bedsores, varicose ulcers or gangrene, for example.
In most cases, the ointment is only used in the hospital or health clinic by the nurse or doctor who is treating the wound, as there are some specific precautions with its use, but the ointment can also be used by the person himself at home, as long as there has been training with a professional before.
How to use the ointment
Ideally, collagenase ointment should only be applied to the dead tissue of the wound, to allow enzymes to act in that location, destroying the tissue. Therefore, the ointment should not be applied to healthy skin, as it can cause irritation.
To use this type of ointment correctly, follow the steps:
- Remove all necrotic tissue that has come off since the last use, with the help of tweezers;
- Clean the wound with saline;
- Apply the ointment with a thickness of 2 mm over the areas with dead tissue;
- Close the dressing correctly.
To make the application of the ointment it may be easier to use a syringe without a needle, because that way it is possible to aim the ointment only at the places with dead tissue, especially in large wounds.
If there are very thick plates of necrosis tissue, it is advisable to make small cuts with a scalpel or moisten the plates with gauze and saline, before applying the ointment.
Dressings made with collagenase ointments should be changed daily or up to 2 times a day, depending on the results and the expected action. The results are visible after about 6 days, but cleaning can take up to 14 days, depending on the type of wound and the amount of dead tissue.
Check out how to properly dress a bed sore.
Possible side effects
The appearance of side effects with the use of collagenase is rare, however, some people may report a burning sensation, pain or irritation in the wound.
It is also common for redness to appear on the sides of the wound, especially when the ointment is not being applied well or when the skin around the wound is not being protected with a barrier cream.
Who should not use
Collagenase ointment is contraindicated for people with allergies to any of the components of the formula.
In addition, this product should not be used at the same time as detergents, hexachlorophene, mercury, silver, povidone iodine, thyrotrichin, gramicidin or tetracycline, because they are substances that affect the correct functioning of the enzyme.