DuoDERM CGF 4"x4" Hydrocolloid Adhesive Bandage, Waterproof, 5 Ct (2 Pack)

This product is a godsend for those of us who develop venous stasis ulcers due to CVI. I was diagnosed with CVI (Chronic Venous Insufficiency) a year ago but I've been struggling with some of the more troublesome side effects of that condition for several years: venous stasis ulcers, usually much worse in the summer. CVI usually affects the lower legs - the valves in the veins stop working, and blood pools in the calf and ankle. The tissue eventually breaks down, and ulcers develop on the surface. Some folks like me get it in both legs; others in just one. Last year's episode resulted in cellulitis, and 6 weeks of treatment at the wound healing center. I vowed never to go down that path again and followed the Dr's recommendations as to ongoing care (compression knee-highs, etc.). Despite my best efforts (100% compliance/etc.), I again developed a rather impressive set of large ulcers this summer involving both legs. DuoDerm was recommended by a friend in a CVI support group, so I decided to give it a try before calling the center. Applied the patches, cutting to fit where needed, left them in place for 3 days, then removed them after a shower. Unbelievable!! Ulcers were about 80% healed. There were a few nickel-sized raw/weepy spots left, but everything else was fresh clear pink healthy skin. I had been nursing these ulcers along for 6 weeks using bandages and antiseptic sprays with no discernable effect, and in 3 days, DuoDerm had nearly obliterated them. I'm absolutely sold on this product. Seriously, it far exceeded my expectations. I was anticipating maybe some slight improvement, but this was nearly miraculous. So, based on my experience, here are a few tips: 1) DO NOT use these as a "change every day"-type dressing. That's not what it's designed for. You need to leave the patch(es) in place for AT LEAST 2-3 days -- instructions say you can leave them in place for up to a week. I changed mine at 3 days only because my ulcers were really "weepy," and .. well ... I could tell by the looks of things that the dressings needed to be changed. They absorb fluid and can hold only so much. So don't slap one of these on and try to change it the next day -- the glue is REALLY sticky and it will likely cause some problems. If you leave it alone until it's ready to come off, it should come off nearly painlessly, with only slight "tug" of the skin around the wound. 2) Don't be surprised if the wound starts to itch -- a LOT. I didn't notice any itching *around* the ulcers, but the ulcers themselves tingled and itched. That's the dressing doing it's thing. It was even more noticeable on the second application since there was a lot of new skin in the area and the wound itself was shallower than before. It REALLY itched ... a lot. I have some problems with adhesives and allergies (I get hives/rash/blisters from most Band-Aid products, for example), and this is NOT like that. It's not the skin around the ulcers that is itching so much as the ulcers themselves. Just be prepared. 3) As always, SEE YOUR DOCTOR if anything comes up that seems or feels out of whack. I was concerned about the itching but found out that it's a fairly common "side effect." But any redness, rash, etc. should be seen by a doctor ASAP. These don't have latex in them, but you might still have some problems with the adhesive. Bottom line: I'm keeping these on hand from now on as a first line of defense against venous stasis ulcers. The price here on Amazon varies from seller to seller, so definitely "shop around" -- I look for "fulfilled by Amazon" to get the best service, even if I have to pay a few cents more per patch.

Excellent product. Arrived in good condition, exactly as advertised. Easy to use. Would buy again.

Sent this to a friend who had a decent size Basil Cell Carcinoma abstraction from his chest. He used this and it healed nicely without a scar.

This is good for pressure sores and can be left in place for several days.

Needs changing more often than I expected. Wound drainage leaks out

These are the best way to heal any open sore or wound. They are the only one that I would use after skin cancer treatments or biopsies that leave an open wound, on pressure sores, or any draining wound (clear fluid with a yellowish hue that drains out of the wound site), I will typically have a 1 inch open wound that will take about 3 months or so to heal (leg) but with these it takes less than 2 months. Roughly, it cuts healing time by 30-50%. While they cost more than regular bandages, you only need one of these a week and so they cost the same or little less than regular large bandages, especially when you consider that the healing time is cut down by almost half. Buy a size that will give you about an inch edge outside the wound area. I you have a more superficial, non-draining wound you can cut these into four 2x2 (you should have at least 1/2 inch edge outside the wound for it to stay on well. These seem to stay on better, last longer, are less irritating, less likely to leak, and can be cut up easier than the thin version (I have used both). Use these for at least 5-7 days at a time and you may notice that the bandage gets a little puffy and white over the wound area which is normal. You can take shower with these on. When you take this off, it will seem "icky" but just throw it away, clean up the area around the wound, take a show and let water go over it, and afterwards when dry, apply a new DuoDerm dressing. The reason these work so well is they allow your body to produce the optimal environment for skin healing. I use the Convatec brand as they were the creators of DuoDerm and seem to have the best CGF rather than any of the generics and they were only a little more expensive. At any rate they are well worth the cost. They are a must for any open wound, especially in the elderly or for those on the leg or arm (the further away from the heart, the longer healing time). Can't recommend these highly enough. They are a must for any significant open wound.

DuoDERM works great and only needs to be changed every 7 days. Also 4" patches can be cut in half or quarters for smaller wounds.

all good