Bandages Plus Blog

Your online resource for articles and information on lymphedema and associated conditions, treatments, and supplies.

How to Care for Wounds with Hydrogel Dressings

Hydrogel dressings are one the most widely used methods of dressing a wound. Made of roughly 90% water, hydrogels provide adequet moisture which can accelerate healing time. Initially, they were designed to help in regulating fluid exchanges on the surface of the wound.

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EdemaWear^®: A Game Changer

by DeLana Honaker PhD, OTR, CLT, FAOTA

In my search for a better alternative, I came across EdemaWear^® Compression Stockinettes at BandagesPlus and have been using them with excellent results with my patients and even for myself and my friends. One the best features of EdemaWear^® Compression Stockinettes is that it’s technology acts in a "shrink wrap" fashion, meaning that the stockinette shapes itself to the extremity's contours and provides continuous and consistent. Read More >>

CompreFLEX LITE Compression Wraps^®: Full proof and accurate compression

by Robyn A (Redd) Smith, M.Ed., COTA/L, CLWT, CLT

Owner: Life Rehabilitation, LC – Salt Lake City, Utah

As lymphedema therapists, we know our patients don’t always follow the instructions we give them. Whether you call it compliance or adherence, we know that following the rules of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is paramount to successful outcomes. In my practice, I have seen wraps erroneously placed upside down, inside out, and backwards. One time, I saw all three errors at once. Improper donning can, not only slow down CDT progress, but, more importantly, be dangerous for the patient. I have spent years testing the top Velcro® wraps available in search of wraps that are “fool proof.” I finally found one a little over a year ago with BiaCare brand CompreFLEX LITE Compression Wraps from Sigvaris. Read More >>

CircAid^® Reduction Kits: A Better Alternative to Bandaging

Traditionally, compression bandaging has been used as the main component of the initial "intensive" phase of complete decongestive therapy, or "CDT", and is performed to reduce limb volume as part of a Lymphedema treatment program. While proven effective, the use of multi-layer compression bandaging has its drawbacks. The CircAid^® Reduction Kit product line offers a unique and innovative alternative treatment method, focused on patient participation, understanding and compliance. Read More >>

Sigvaris CoolFlex^™ Compression Wraps: Improving Compliance for Patients who Cannot Wear Compression

Compression has traditionally been the most effective treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), and while a variety of compression garments are widely available, most have significant disadvantages that inhibit patient use and compliance. Therefore, Sigvaris USA recently introduced the CoolFlex^™ lower extremity compression wrap to address patient use and compliance issues, by combining the appropriate needed compression with ease of use, comfort, temperature control and aesthetic appeal. Read More >>

The Eclypse^® Boot Superabsorbent Dressing: Solving the Challenge of "Leaky Legs" with Chronic Edema

The condition of lymphorrhea, or "leaky legs", is characterized by a constant flow of interstitial fluid from an individual’s swollen edematous limb, where the volume of accumulated fluid in an affected limb exceeds it’s capacity to retain the fluid, resulting in gross swelling, blistering and leakage of the fluid onto the skin. The leaking fluid soils and saturates clothing, linens and wound dressings, while prolonged exposure to moisture from the fluid macerates the surrounding healthy skin, thereby exacerbating the existing situation. Additionally, the compromised skin provides a direct port of entry for infection which often leads to cellulitis, which requires treatment with antibiotics. Read More >>