Q. What is Healadex®?
A. Healadex Wound Dressing is a primary dressing for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds. It is FDA-cleared as a “moist wound dressing”. It is the first product in the Healadex wound treatment line—a line that features topical delivery vehicles containing porcine serum.
Q. Is it a collagen dressing?
A. No. Healadex is classified as a hydrocolloid dressing. Although it does contain an animal by-product—porcine serum—it does not contain collagen. The scaffold or matrix is composed of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC).
Q. What is the difference between collagen and CMC?
A. Collagen is derived from animals. It forms a tubular matrix that can be absorbed into the wound. Collagen is thought to provide a matrix that may assist in cell migration and granulation of the wound bed. CMC is derived from plants. It is not absorbed into the wound. In Healadex, it provides a matrix for the delivery of porcine serum.
Q. What is the active ingredient?
A. Healadex Wound Dressing is a medical device. It does not contain an “active” ingredient. It promotes wound healing by providing a moist environment. It is composed of CMC and porcine serum.
Q. How often do you change the dressing?
A. We recommend the standard dressing change of every 72 hours for hydrocolloid dressings. Dressing changes should be sooner if the wound exudate exceeds the border of the secondary dressing (leakage). The clinician should choose an appropriate secondary dressing to fix Healadex to the wound and manage wound exudate.
Q. How should Healadex be applied on a dry wound?
A. Healadex is a freeze dried matrix. If the wound is dry, you may wet Healadex with sterile saline or sterile water and then apply Healadex as the primary dressing. Choose a secondary dressing like an adhesive film—to form an occlusive dressing that will retain moisture.
Q. How much exudate will Healadex absorb?
A. Healadex is indicated for mild to moderately exudating wounds. The dressing will absorb approximately 2.5X its weight in water. However, the clinician should choose the secondary dressing to manage exudate.
Q. Does Healadex have the typical “hydrocolloid odor”?
A. No. Clinicians who have used Healadex in our clinical evaluations do not report the usual hydrocolloid odor.
Q. How does it appear on the wound?
A. Healadex becomes gelatinous when fully wet. It is likely that you will not see it on the wound at 72 hours or may notice a film. The film will wash off when you cleanse the wound.
Q. What types of wounds are appropriate?
A. Healadex has a broad list of approved indications for the treatment of chronic and acute wounds (venous stasis, diabetic, pressure ulcers). It is not appropriate for 3rd degree burns. Please see the approved Indications for Use statement for the full list of approved indications.
Q. Can I use this on pressure wounds?
A. Yes. Healadex can be used on pressure wounds. Please see the full list of approved indications in the Healadex Indications for Use statement.
Q. Can patients with allergies to pork use Healadex?
A. There have been no reports of allergic reaction with the use of Healadex. However, patients with known allergies to pork should be made aware that Healadex does contain a pork by-product.
