Versatile Dressing Facilitates Quicker Healing For A Variety Of Wounds

With a wide range of indications, the AmeriGel Wound Dressing can be helpful in treating an array of lower extremity wounds. According to AmerX Health Care, the manufacturer of the wound dressing, the product reduces the healing time of matrixectomies by 20 to 50 percent. AmerX Health Care adds that the dressing has a demonstrated efficacy of 77 percent in wound care applications.

The company says the AmeriGel Wound Dressing is the only FDA-approved, antimicrobial hydrogel. According to the company, the dressing is indicated for stage I-IV pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, diabetic skin ulcers, first- and second-degree burns, post-surgical incisions with dehiscence, cuts and abrasions.

Shari Kirsh, DPM, who has used the AmeriGel Wound Dressing for four years, says she has found the dressing to be “very successful” in treating post-op nail matrixectomies and in facilitating healing after wart procedures. Dr. Kirsh says the key benefits of the AmeriGel Wound Dressing are patient convenience and rapid healing.

“The Amerigel Wound Dressing heals post-op nail matrixectomies much quicker than soaking,” notes Dr. Kirsh, who is in private practice in Houston. “AmeriGel extracts drainage from post-op wounds and reduces post-op maceration.”

How A Unique Mix Of Ingredients Promotes Wound Healing
AmerX Health Care says the primary mechanisms of the AmeriGel Wound Dressing are as follows:
• decrease cell membrane permeability;
• proliferate proteins to the wound site; and
• facilitate the development of granulation tissue.

How does the dressing help achieve these goals? According to the manufacturer, the wound dressing is also the only wound care product available with Oakin. A natural extract, Oakin provides antimicrobial, antifungal, antiinflammatory and autolytic debriding properties to the wound dressing.

The company also emphasizes that Oakin is bactericidal against 49 gram-positive and gram-negative microbes, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Candida and T. mentagrophytes. The dressing also reportedly reduces wound bioburden, according to AmerX Health Care.

Other ingredients of the product include zinc acetate and polyethylene glycol (PEG), which helps maintain a moist wound environment for an extended period, according to AmerX Health Care.

Emphasizing Patient Convenience
AmerX Health Care says another benefit of the wound dressing is a clear and easy to follow post-op protocol for patients who undergo nail surgery.

“Patients are very pleased with the convenience and ease of use,” adds Dr. Kirsh.

In her clinical experience with the product, Dr. Kirsh says she has seen no drawbacks to the wound dressing. The manufacturer does note that the dressing is contraindicated for patients who have a known allergy or sensitivity to oak or any other ingredient in the dressing.