Contact media: Regime and precautions

Regime:

• Dependent on manufacturer guidelines
• Typically worn upwards of 12 hours/day commencing once wounds healed.
• Can be worn underneath pressure garments
• Child can use a combination of products to suit preferences, skin tolerance and to ensure minimal impact on function.
• Silicone products can be used until scar maturity.

Examples:

• Full thickness burns to palm hand requiring skin graft. A silicone sheet may be used underneath a pressure garment when at night or when the child is sleeping and not moving their hand; and a silicone gel may be used in the day when the child is using their hand to grasp, reach, hold and play.
• A child who sustained a scald burn to their hairline and forehead may a use silicone gel during the day when at school sweating and running around, and a silicone sheet at night when they are cooler and the product will anchors more effectively.

Precautions of use

• Typically Silicone products cannot be used on unhealed/open skin/wounds.
• Do not use around areas where a child could lick/ingest/swallow.
• Some children react to silicones. A reaction will look like a rash/blisters on the skin where the silicone was worn and/or evidence of skin breakdown. This is likely due to the build-up of sweat underneath silicone sheets/moulds and is typically seen more frequently in summer/warmer climates; or if the product wear was not graded up as per manufactures guidelines.
• Ensure minimal impact to function/participation.