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What is a Collagen Dressing?

Carey Reeve
Carey Reeve

A collagen dressing is a type of wound dressing that is made with a form of collagen to aid in the body's healing processes. Collagen is a category of structural proteins that are naturally present in almost every part of the human body and are especially common in connective tissue. In a wound, the application of these proteins protects the body's own collagen from degradation because of over-activity of enzymes so that body has the building materials needed to repair the damage.

In normal wound healing, special enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) break down damaged or malformed collagen so that it can't be used mistakenly in building the scaffolding for the new tissue to grow on. Wounds often become chronic when too many MMPs are present, because they break down the healthy collagen as well, but when a wound dressing containing collagen is used, the MMPs are kept busy breaking down that collagen, and the body's own healthy collagen is protected. A collagen dressing provides other benefits as well, such as absorbing fluids that are draining, maintaining a wet wound bed and providing a barrier for external sources of infection. In addition, these dressings do not stick to the newly forming tissue, so they do not leave behind any fibers or damage the tissue when the dressings are changed. There also is some evidence to show that these dressings speed up production of fibroblasts, cells that make collagen and other parts of extracellular structure, and that they attract fibroblasts from other areas to the wound site.

Collagen dressings are frequently used on burns.
Collagen dressings are frequently used on burns.

There are many variations on the construction of the collagen dressing, and it collagen from one of several sources might be used. Collagen that has been harvested from horses, cows, birds or pigs is purified for medical use, such as wound dressings. These dressings are available in rectangular blocks, membranes with a non-stick backing, sheets, ropes and pastes. Even the solid forms of collagen generally become a gel as they absorb fluid from the wound and conform to the surface so that they have contact with the entire wound. Some of the products are 100 percent collagen, but many of them are blended with a substance such as oxidized regenerated cellulose that is bonded to an antimicrobial agent.

Sterile collagen dressings may be applied to bedsores, skin graft donor sites and ruptured surgical wounds.
Sterile collagen dressings may be applied to bedsores, skin graft donor sites and ruptured surgical wounds.

Types of wounds that call for the application of a collagen dressing include chronic or stalled wounds and wounds with large surface areas. Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, and similar ulcers caused by complications of diabetes often become chronic and benefit from a collagen dressing. Wound dressings that include collagen are very helpful for burns that don't affect the entire thickness of the skin and sites where the skin has been removed for transplant to another site or another person. Surgical wounds that have ruptured and infected wounds can be aided by collagen dressings as long as the infection is being controlled.

Discussion Comments

Ocelot60

@heavanet- The fact that collagen dressings are made of collagen and do not pull at wounds with unnatural fibers promotes healing. Your grandmother has nothing to lose by giving one a try for her wound.

Raynbow

@heavanet- Several years ago I had a surgical wound that would not heal on its own. After trying several options, my doctor provided me with a collagen dressing. Not only was it comfortable, but it helped my wound heal in a fairly short period of time. I wish I had known about this type of dressing before my surgery, because I would have requested it sooner. I think you should have your grandmother give a collagen dressing a try for her wound.

Heavanet

Does anyone have experience with the length of time it takes to heal when using collagen dressing? My grandmother has a wound due to diabetes that won't heal, and we are looking for options for her.

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    • Collagen dressings are frequently used on burns.
      By: Magalice
      Collagen dressings are frequently used on burns.
    • Sterile collagen dressings may be applied to bedsores, skin graft donor sites and ruptured surgical wounds.
      By: Sherry Yates
      Sterile collagen dressings may be applied to bedsores, skin graft donor sites and ruptured surgical wounds.
    • Bed sores may benefit from a collagen dressing.
      By: vichie81
      Bed sores may benefit from a collagen dressing.
    • Wound dressings that include collagen are very helpful for burns that don't affect the entire thickness of the skin.
      By: OlegD
      Wound dressings that include collagen are very helpful for burns that don't affect the entire thickness of the skin.
    • Surgical wounds that have ruptured may be aided by collagen dressings.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Surgical wounds that have ruptured may be aided by collagen dressings.
    • Stretch bandages may be wrapped over an area with collagen dressing as an extra precaution against infection.
      By: imagedb.com
      Stretch bandages may be wrapped over an area with collagen dressing as an extra precaution against infection.