Application:
(Instructions come with purchase)

ALL You Will Need Is:
a. DermaWound Original, DermaWound VS, DermaWound Hypo or DermaWound Ultra Hypo.
b. Cotton Gauze Pads/Sponges,
(i.e. 4x4's, 2x2's, etc. wound-size dependent);
c. Tape of your choice; whatever is less irritating.
d. Possibly a Kerlix-type bandage (gauze webbing that resembles an "Ace" bandage) depending on the type of wound (leg or ankle involvement);
(B,C & D can all be found in our Discount Gauze & Tape section: Click Here)
e. A clean water source for bathing / cleaning / rinsing the wound site.

Obviously the gauze needs to be new and packaged, but does not need to come in sterile individual packing. In general, Wound Care at home is not a sterile procedure; so why should anyone at home be forced to spend money for sterile and individually wrapped supplies they don't need? (We do not recommend using Bulk Packing in an Institutional setting, unless it stays at the patients bedside and handwashing protocol is strictly enforced.) Talc-free disposable gloves should be worn with each dressing change, but they also do not need to come in sterile packaging (like in an operating room) - which also reduces overall cost.

Please Follow These Time Tested Suggestions:
1. Prior to application of DermaWound (any one of 4 types), evaluate the wound or ulcer. Insure that no active pulsing of blood from an artery or vein is present. As the DermaWound quickly works, new capillaries will form and break as new vasculature is established, so spotting is normal and is to be expected with each dressing change.
2. Gently rinse with clean water or normal saline. Use a shower head, squirt bottle or syringe. *Do NOT actively clean out the wound bed - never, ever, ever*. Very Important!!!
The wound itself does not need to be thoroughly cleaned and residue free.
This can not be overemphasized. Whatever does not come off with normal irrigation (water or saline in a squirt bottle; shower or bath) or on the gauze pads during a dressing change, will come off at a later date when it's ready.
3. Gently dry around the wound or ulcer. Let entire area air dry for 3-5 minutes, no more.
It is important to let the area that holds the tape get a chance to breathe and dry out, to help prevent maceration (moist skin breakdown) of the surrounding healthy tissue.
4. Spread DermaWound on a 4x4 or 2x2 Cotton Gauze Pad, or apply directly to the affected area, to a height of approximately 1/4 - 1/2 inch - like a thick layer of peanut butter - covering the entire wound area, overlaping the border edges 1/4 inch.
5. Apply the DermaWound side of the gauze to the wound.
Deeper and tunneling wounds (ex. pressure/bed sores) should be packed to the surface with DermaWound.
6. Apply 3-4 discontinuous layers of additional 4x4 or 2x2 gauze over the wound or ulcer for additional padding and to soak up the exudates that will be quickly pulled out (if wound is draining and swollen). Use less gauze if it is not draining.
If necessary apply an ABD pad over the pile of gauze to ensure a tight, even seal when edges are secured. The bandage should be occlusive. In some instances you can just not get a tight seal (perineal region/between sex organs & anus), just do the best you can.
On the sacrum, hip, or relatively flat areas, make sure the edges of the gauze are secured (with paper tape or Medipore tape) to help prevent leakage.
If the wound or ulcer is on a leg or foot, use a Kerlix gauze or J&J No.1 rolled gauze as an "Ace" bandage to hold it in place.
A comfortable Pressure Stocking may be used in conjunction with any bandage or by itself.
Any adhesive tape is OK, as long as the person does not have a sensitivity to it.
7. Dressing changes, on average, should be done twice a day
(every 12 hours).
8. If the wound or ulcer is Very Infected, Purulent and Draining, it should be changed three times a day (every 8 hours) initially.
Brown Recluse bites should also be changed 3x day (every 8 hours first 3 days, then every 8-12 hours thereafter).
9. If infected and draining, major amounts of pus, exudates or discharge on the gauze is good and normal in the beginning (first few days). Old Venous Stasis ulcers (>6 or 9 mo. +) can drain up to 12 weeks.
10. Again... do not actively clean out the wound bed - there is primordial epithelium forming and it should not be disturbed or wiped out!
11. When changing the dressing every 8-12 hours, re-dress the wound or ulcer following the instructions in #'s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 above.
12. Continue to use DermaWound to cover the affected area as it closes, until you literally need just a small amount to cover the small remaining wound area.
Continue to use until the defect has resolved completely.
That's it! Please follow the suggested 15 year old instructions/algorhythm and
do not be creative!

Toll Free Wound Care Support Hotline
9am-5pm, Mon.-Fri., Sat. 9am-3pm PST 1.866.727.0462

Side Effects / Precautions:
1. 33% - transient smarting or stinging sensation, fades after 15 minutes.
Every product on Earth has the potential for an allergic reaction
except water:
2. 1-3% Local Allergy - Persons who are allergic or sensitive to Iodine or shellfish should avoid DermaWound Original and DermaWound VS.
3. 1-2% Local Allergy - Persons allergic or sensitive to "-caine" based products (novocaine, benzocaine, etc.), should avoid DermaWound VS and DermaWound Hypo.
We have an Ultra Hypo formula for these rare instances.

So... Allergic to Iodine, but need DermaWound Original ?
Use DermaWound Ultra Hypo.

Allergic to Iodine, but need DermaWound VS ? Use DermaWound Hypo.

Allergic to Benzocaine, but need DermaWound VS or DermaWound Hypo ?
Use DermaWound Ultra Hypo.

4. If a local allergic/sensitivity reaction does occur, it simply requires removal of product, followed with clean water irrigation. Local symptoms (a burning sensation) will subside within 1/2 to one hour. Do not hesitate to call if you think you are sensitive - just because the product keeps working and you are happy to find something that really works well for the 1st time - if you think you are becoming sensitive, call us and stop using immediately.
5. No continuous/pulsatile bleeding (i.e. after a sharp debridement - which is usually not necessary due to the natural debriding properties of these products) should be present for 24 hours before the use of DermaWound. One of the many ways DermaWound works is by naturally increasing circulation to the damaged area, which promotes new vessel formation. With that in mind, spotting of blood is normal and expected during dressing changes.
6. This product is a bit granular in nature - if the wound or ulcer is on the bottom or side of the leg, ankle, foot or toe and is weight bearing during the day because of job or household activity, all DermaWound brand products should be applied only at night when "down" for the evening and rinsed off in the morning to avoid agitation. You will actually heal faster if you do not use it while active, then if you try to push it by using it 24/7 while you remain active or weight bearing.

During the day (working), or while active (exercising, cleaning the house, etc.),
the product should be removed and the wound covered with Bacitracin, Polysporin, Bactroban or Generic Triple Antibiotic and non-stick gauze (Telfa) to maintain a moist environment until the DermaWound can be reapplied - when activity has ceased. Getting up and going to the bathroom is OK, walking the dog is not.

Please avoid Neosporin (irritates/we think it's the type of Neomycin) and Silvadene (stops healing/we have no idea why) as a daytime or activity salve/ointment.

In regards to the legs, feet, ankles or toes - even if it does feel comfortable and you are finally out of pain, again we highly suggest the product be removed while active or working.

If active with Venous Stasis Ulcers, Men & Women, please wear a mild knee-high compression stocking (15-20 mmHg) during the day or working hours - ALWAYS (even after you are completely healed to help avoid future breakdown). They should be comfortable... make sure they are not so tight that you do not want to wear them.

The higher pressure stockings are not as comfortable and cost a whole lot more - so, we have not seen a difference in effectiveness to justify their use.

As everyone knows in this situation and has been told by every doctor and nurse in the world, ideally one should be non-weight bearing (crutches or scooter) if they have wounds on their feet. But many people still have to work or are alone, so you have to do what you have to do and we realize that. If any questions arise, we recommend calling our Wound Care Support Hotline for tips.