Hydrocolloid Dressing versus Tulle Gauze in the Treatment of Abrasions in Cyclists

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine 1991-12, Vol.12 (6), p.581-584
• Main Author: Hermans, M. H. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bandages, Hydrocolloid; Bicycling; Biological and medical sciences; Colloids; Female; Humans; Injuries of the skin. Diseases of the skin due to physical agents; Male; Medical sciences; Occlusive Dressings; Povidone-Iodine - therapeutic use; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Wound Healing; Wound Infection - prevention & control; Wounds and Injuries - pathology; Wounds and Injuries - therapy
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024738

Abstract Abrasions in cyclists were either treated with an occlusive hydrocolloid dressing or with tulle gauze. The main object of the study was to investigate practical questions, e. g.: Could the cyclists go on racing without their injuries impeding their progress? Medical aspects evaluated in the study were: the healing time and the infection rate of the wounds. Twenty-three racing cyclists with 38 abrasions were treated with a hydrocolloid dressing and 41 abrasions in 24 cyclists with tulle gauze. The results of the study show that the occlusive dressing produces a shorter healing time (5.6 days) than the tulle gauze (8.9 days), with smaller risks of infection (0% and 10%, respectively) and a longer wearing period per dressing. The hydrocolloid dressing also gives more pain relief than the tulle gauze (91% no pain during racing with the hydrocolloid dressing, 30% with the tulle gauze) and a higher overall comfort (very comfortable to comfortable versus uncomfortable to moderately uncomfortable, respectively).