Allergic reactions to patches are common and manifest themselves in itching as well as reddened skin and pustules. Even inflammation of the affected areas is not uncommon. Children and senior citizens are particularly affected. Hypoallergenic plasters reduce the risk almost completely. However, no guarantee can be given despite years of research.
What are hypoallergenic patches?
Hypoallergenic plasters almost completely reduce the risk of allergic reactions in plasters. While common wound dressings also contain allergenic substances, the special hypoallergenic plasters do without them. Long series of tests and research into allergy-triggering ingredients were necessary for this. There is now a wide range of plasters with little potential for causing allergies. As a rule, the backing material consists of thin viscose nonwoven and the adhesive mass of polyacrylate. Both materials are characterized by their good skin compatibility. However, 100% safety is still not given here. Consumers are often unaware of their skin‘s allergic reactions and even hypoallergenic products can therefore cause annoying reactions on the skin. Older people in particular suffer when they have to wear a patch for a long period of time. Their skin is thin and no longer as well supplied with blood as young people. This also applies to babies and small children. They do not have the defenses of an adult and their skin is very often allergic to the patch. Many allergies are not researched enough and new ones are added every year. This makes it difficult for experts to have an effective remedy on hand at all times.
Forms, types and types
Thanks to extensive research, there is now a comprehensive range of hypoallergenic plasters. Both for private households and for clinics, there are special items for optimal wound care. Many of them are sterile-packaged and are used as dressings after operations. Besides the products, which are offered in small strips and produced for the care of small wounds, there are the plaster strips. They are used when gauze overlays are to be fixed on a wound. People who are permanently restricted in their movements and have to lie in bed need special wound protection. Special decubitus plasters provide good support in this case. A pressure sore initially manifests itself in the form of redness. Lack of care inevitably leads to tissue death. This is where nursing staff and physicians are particularly called upon when it comes to the use of hyperallergenic plasters. An important distinction of hypoallergenic plasters is whether they are waterproof or -permeable. Special children’s plasters made of hypoallergenic material are printed with colorful pictures and are designed to make it easier for young children to wear the wound protection.
Structure and mode of operation
Both hyper- and hypoallergenic products have roughly the same structure. Depending on the intended use, there is a pad of soft material in the middle or on the edge. This can be fixed to the skin by adhesive strips. It is often enriched with an antiseptic liquid or a healing ointment. This is important not only for larger wounds. The measure prevents the fleece from bonding with the weeping wound and destroying the existing crust during dressing changes. Products in the form of tack strips have no padding. They are smooth and completely covered with adhesive. Special blister plasters for the feet prevent running sores and prevent blistering. In the case of burns, the risk of infection of the wound is very high. Special plasters have been developed for this purpose. The skin around the burn is also very sensitive and the use of hypoallergenic plasters is normal here. In this way, the suffering of those affected is alleviated at least a little. Then it does not matter whether the patient is affected by a plaster allergy. Even with the best condition of the skin, in such crisis situations there is hardly any alternative for hyperallergenic wound material.
Medical and health benefits
The medical benefit of these special patches is primarily that wound healing proceeds smoothly. If they are used in intensive care to fix a brown line, they may not show allergic reactions even after days of wear.In the private sphere, their task is not exclusively to cover small wounds well. People with an artificial bowel outlet, for example, must be able to cope with the plasters permanently. The same applies to patients who wear a prosthesis. In many cases, the residual limb must be padded and this padding fixed in place with a plaster. Even if the affected person does not usually complain of allergic reactions. The fact that the adhesive plaster remains on the same section of skin for days plays a role here. Hypoallergenic plasters are therefore not only indispensable when it comes to caring for patients with allergies. They also serve their purpose where permanent fixation of dressings is necessary. It is clear, however, that people with chronic diseases benefit greatly from hypoallergenic plasters. The care of their wounds is far less painful. Both caregivers and relatives then have a much easier time caring for their patients. Mobile people appreciate that these products can also be worn in water. No dressing change is required after a stay in the bath, as the waterproof overlay protects the wound from getting wet.
