What is a hydrocolloid?
The adhesive that sticks to the skin, or ‘hydrocolloid,’ is one of the most important features of any ostomy appliance.
Simply explained, hydrocolloids are comprised of adhesive and absorptive components designed to adhere to the skin and to be absorbent.
Technically speaking, hydrocolloid adhesives are composed of “natural fluid absorbing and thickening agents colloidally dispersed in an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive.” These two materials impart physical properties of fluid absorption and gelation, with an adhesive and cohesive structure. Common materials in hydrocolloids include pectin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
Hydrocolloids are especially suited to ostomy care because they absorb discharge, protect the skin and are gentle and flexible.
When you take the time to consider the variations in different patients’ lifestyles, skin types and levels of activity, the climates they live in and the nature of their surgery, you will see how important choosing the right hydrocolloid can be in terms of skin condition, comfort and wear-time.
Rigorous research, quality control and assessment processes have made Salts Healthcare one of the world’s leading providers of hydrocolloids for ostomy care.
Products which feature Salts Healthcare Hydrocolloids
Please see below a list of additional products which we have designed at Salts Healthcare, which contain our hydrocolloids:
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British Skin Foundation
Salts Healthcare is the only ostomy products manufacturer to have received accreditation by the British Skin Foundation for its research into skin-friendly hydrocolloids. Holding this accolade since 2003, we are extremely proud as accreditation involved a long and stringent regulatory process.
Skin Health Alliance
In 2013 Salts Healthcare also received recognition by the Skin Health Alliance, by being awarded their ‘Dermatologically Accredited’ mark.
The SHA awards its dermatological accreditation mark to products and services where scientific and clinical research achieves, or surpasses, its stringent skin safety criteria.
This accreditation puts Salts products among some of the leading skin-friendly brands in the world, such as Olay, Bio-Oil,® Carex, Neutrogena® and Pampers.
