Collagenase ointment is usually used to treat and clean wounds on the skin, removing dead tissue or making it difficult to heal properly. Thus, this type of ointment is widely used by health professionals to treat bed sores, varicose ulcers or gangrene, for example.
This ointment can be purchased at conventional pharmacies under the name Kollagenase or Iruxol mono, with a prescription. In some cases, the dermatologist or nurse who is treating the wound may also indicate an ointment with collagenase and chloramphenicol, which is an antibiotic used when there is a risk of infection.
How to use
Collagenase ointments are usually used by a healthcare professional to treat wounds that are difficult to heal, to promote enzymatic debridement.
To use this type of ointment correctly you must:
- Remove all necrotic tissue that has come off since the last use; Clean the wound with saline; Apply the ointment with a thickness of 2 mm over the areas with necrosis tissue; Close the dressing correctly.
If there are very thick plates of necrosis tissue, it is advisable to make small cuts with a scalpel or moisten with gauze and saline, before applying the ointment.
This type of dressing should be changed daily or up to 2 times a day, depending on the results and the expected action. The results are visible after about 6 days, but cleaning can take up to 14 days, depending on the type of wound.
Check out how to properly dress a bed sore.
Possible side effects
The appearance of side effects with the use of collagenase is rare, however, some people may report a burning sensation, pain or irritation at the application site. Redness may also appear on the sides of the wound.
Who should not use
Collagenase ointment is contraindicated for people with allergies to any of the components of the formula.
In addition, this product should not be used at the same time as detergents, hexachlorophene, mercury, silver, povidone-iodine, thyrotricin, gramicidin or tetracycline, because they are substances that affect the correct functioning of the enzyme.
