SWALLOWS_PATIENT_BOOKLET_MAIN_110918

Protection during and after
PolyMem Dressings for patients/clients/people
with radiotherapy induced skin reactions
Radiotherapy
A patient’s perspective of the problems associated with radiotherapy
skin reactions, taken from patient’s experiences in clinical trials.
1. Pain/ hotness/
burning particularly
during dressing
changes
PolyMem uses glycerin to soothe
traumatised tissues, reducing wound pain
and providing comfort at the wound site.
It prevents the dressing from adhering to the
wound bed.
2. Weeping skin
The starch copolymer in PolyMem absorbs and
binds the water molecules from the wound fluid,
allowing the natural growth factors and nutrients to
concentrate in the wound bed.
3. Peeling skin
The dressing contains a mild, non-toxic wound
cleansing agent that is activated by moisture and
gradually released into the wound bed. This helps
remove debris and loosens dead tissue, all the while
keeping the wound bed clean throughout healing.
It reduces the need to cleanse the wound between
dressing changes.
4. The skin dries and hurts
If PolyMem is to be used on dry skin it is helpful to
lightly moisten the affected skin with either tap water
or normal saline 0.9% solution before applying the
dressing. This will ensure that the active ingredients
in the dressing are released.
In clinical trials it has been identified that
PolyMem is:
• An easy to use product
• Suitable for patients to use if self-caring for
their wound
• Minimises trauma during dressing change
• “Soothing and cool” on radiotherapy skin
reactions
• Reduces frequency of dressing change
• Comfortable for patients to have in
contact with their fragile, vulnerable tissue
• Conforms to difficult to dress areas
44 24/7 Patient and Carer support line and text service: 07504 725 059 theswallows.org.uk