PM The Hydrocolloid Story

The Hydrocolloid

STORY

Exclusive UK Distributor for Ostomy Products

Introduction

Hydrocolloid may mean something or mean nothing to the
reader, but it is a word which has for many years been associated
with stoma care, and in particular, one which brought about a
revolution in skincare for people with abdominal stomas.

The meaning of the word hydrocolloid is
derived from two words: hydro, meaning
water and colle meaning glue.

The first hydrocolloid dressing, or wafer as it was referred to, was
Stomahesive®. Introduced to the UK by E.R. Squibb and Sons Ltd
in the early nineteen-seventies, it was originally adapted from
Orahesive, a dental bandage for use inside the mouth.
An Australian ward sister and stoma care nurse from Melbourne,
discovered quite by chance that Orahesive was found to be of
help to her when she placed small pieces over an excoriated
area around the ileostomy of one of her patients.
The discovery that Orahesive could be used to heal peristomal
skin damaged by the effects of stomal effluent, proved to be
a major advance in stoma care.
This product, in powder and paste form, is still available on
FP10 prescription today.

Stomahesive® is a registered trademark of E.R. Squibb & Sons Ltd.

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The Hydrocolloid

STORY

The Stomahesive® hydrocolloid wafers were, and still are, covered
in a clear polythene film on one side and a release backing paper
on the other. They can be used to treat and heal damaged skin
by being placed directly onto the skin or attached to the
faceplate of an appliance to help protect the peristomal skin.

Stomahesive®
Hydrocolloid Wafer

Stomahesive® revolutionised the way problematic stomas were
managed, and contributed significantly to improved quality of
life for many ostomates. It also improved pouch wear time,
led to shorter hospital stays and reduced hospital readmission
for treatment when skin problems were so severe that they
could only be managed as inpatients.
Thankfully, those days are long gone and the modern stoma
care nurse now benefits from advances in modern manufacturing
technologies which have resulted in some of the most innovative
ostomy products yet.

Auriol L Lawson
Managing Director
Peak Medical Ltd

3

Since the discovery of the benefits of Orahesive and subsequently
Stomahesive®, many manufacturers incorporated a hydrocolloid
skin barrier into the flange or faceplate of their ostomy appliances
and the formulation remained unchanged for decades.

The traditional or classic hydrocolloid as it has become known,
was costly to produce and often difficult to obtain in a constant
quality. The colour, for instance, depended on the kind of pectin
which was used and could vary from a pale yellow (lemon pectin)
to a darker ochre (pectin from oranges).

Traditional hydrocolloid skin barriers consist of gelatin, pectin
(harvested from citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and
grapefruit, determining the variations in colour of different
batches depending upon the type of fruit pectin used), and
sodium carboxymethylcellulose – all non-irritant and held
together by a base of synthetic polyisobutylene (PIB). These
ingredients together are what made Stomahesive® so special.

This traditional or classic hydrocolloid is also referred to as a
non-integrated hydrocolloid because it contains no synthetic
elastomers or polymers. It has high absorption properties
which enable it to absorb moisture from the surface of moist
or broken skin.

Stomahesive® is a registered trademark of E.R. Squibb & Sons Ltd.

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The Hydrocolloid

STORY

The beer glass test demonstrates how much moisture a traditional
hydrocolloid can absorb. A glass of water attached upside down
to a hydrocolloid wafer and removed after several hours.

This process results in a protective residual gel forming on the
skin which prevents maceration and promotes skin healing.
It also protects the skin from the effects of stripping each
time the pouch or flange is removed.

A unique feature of the traditional hydrocolloid
barrier is that it adheres equally well to
both moist and dry skin surfaces,
enabling the transfer of moisture
back into the skin.
Non-integrated
Hydrocolloid Skin Barriers

5

Unfortunately, this successful formula became subjected to
modification and elastomers were added to the hydrocolloids
in the form of synthetic rubbers which prevent the uptake of
moisture from the skin.

Integrated
Hydrocolloid

Known as integrated hydrocolloids, the relatively inexpensive
raw materials provided a more flexible and elastic skin barrier,
but were, in fact, a trade-off for the beneficial moisture
absorbing properties of the traditional hydrocolloid.
Manufacturers were now able to produce thinner, more stable
skin barriers, stored in large rolls with a longer shelf life – a much
better option and less costly than the traditional hydrocolloid.
Traditional hydrocolloids made using the classic formulation
required strict storage conditions, as well as air-tight blister
packaging to retain the special qualities of the product.

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The Hydrocolloid

STORY

Many ostomates, as well as nurses, often judge skin barriers on
how thin, flexible and skin-friendly they are, rather than on the
moisture absorbing capacity they offer. Some can experience
skin sensitivity to elastomers, but with the classic formulation
of hydrocolloids this is highly unlikely.

There are, however, some benefits to skin barriers containing
elastomers, such as less adhesive residue on the skin after
removal, but many users find that these skin barriers have
a shorter wear time, especially in warm weather conditions.

The traditional hydrocolloid skin barrier which reduces the need
to renew the pouch or flange so frequently may be preferable to
both the clinician and the ostomate. The hydrocolloid skin barrier
can absorb more moisture, stay on the skin longer with improved
security and protect the skin while helping to keep costs to
a minimum.

The supposition that a thicker skin barrier is less flexible is
disproven by the SuperSoft and SuperFlex barriers which, while
thicker than most other skin barriers, have an exceptionally
soft upper layer of foam, while retaining the flexibility many
people seek. Most importantly, they are completely free from
synthetic rubbers.

It may be over 40 years since this very special component was
discovered and then incorporated into ostomy appliances, but it
can still make a huge difference today when considering the best
product for skincare in stoma management.

7

EuroTec have consistently delivered great ostomy products
with ostomates’ needs in mind and unlike other manufacturers
continue to offer the traditional hydrocolloid formulation in
many of their products today.

Depending on the pouch type and the demands on the skin barrier,
the EuroTec hydrocolloids are available in varying thickness ranging
from 0.6mm to 1.5mm.

It is certainly worth considering the benefits of products which
comprise traditional hydrocolloids.

Peak Medical’s Ostomy Range with Traditional Hydrocolloid Formulation

If you would like to request more information
about Peak Medical’s products or would like
to receive samples, simply call

FREEPHONE 0800 652 0424

Find us on: Exclusive UK Distributor for Ostomy Products
www.peakmedical.co.uk V1121