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| Frequently Asked Questions |
1. I am not sure which product to use for my condition, can you help me? Click on the, “Our Products” tab and review the latest products available from Amerx by clicking on the image of the product or the name listed below. If you are still unsure, our friendly customer service staff is available to answer your questions and help you. You can reach customer service via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 1-800-448-9599, Monday – Friday,8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, EST.
2. Is AmeriGel® really “Physician Recommended”? Yes, absolutely. AmeriGel® Wound Dressing was rated the #1 Topical Dressing for Matrixectomies (nail surgery) from 2003-2009 and the #1 Topical Wound/Ulcer Treatment from 2006-2009 amongst podiatric physicians. (Podiatry Management Annual Survey, February 2004-2009) To see physician testimonials, click here.
3. What works on eczema, psoriasis or other forms of dry, itchy, cracked skin? Amerigel® Care Lotion is a therapeutic skin conditioner that 1) moisturizes and softens the skin, 2) exfoliates to remove flakes, scales and dry skin build-up and 3) helps eliminate itching and inflammation without the use of steroids. Although there is no known cure for eczema or psoriasis, Amerigel® Care Lotion manages the skin problems often associated with these conditions. Click here for Amerigel® Care Lotion information.
4. I have thin skin that bruises easily (Purpura), will the Care Lotion help? Yes, Amerigel® Care Lotion helps the body reabsorb excess fluid trapped underneath the surface of the skin and rebuilds elasticity to prevent further breakdown. For bruising, we recommend applying Amerigel® Care Lotion two to three times a day to the affected area. Within a few days the black and blue coloration will fade to a purple. As you continue to apply the Care Lotion, the purple fades to a red and eventually a healthy pink color. If you bruise easily, apply Amerigel® Care Lotion daily to restore moisture and rebuild elasticity in your skin, while preventing further breakdown. Click here for details on Amerigel® Care Lotion.
5. How does AmeriGel® Wound Dressing heal a wound? AmeriGel® Wound Dressing helps promote the healing process by:
6. What are the ingredients in AmeriGel® Wound Dressing? Oak Extract (Oakin®), Meadowsweet Extract, Zinc Acetate, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 400 & 3350, Water.
7. Why is keeping the wound debrided so important? Debriding means the removing of dead/dying tissue or debris that accumulates inside the wound. A scab covering the wound or a yellow splotch inside the wound is an example of accumulation. In a chronic wound, this accumulation can slow the healing process and provide a good environment for bacteria and germs to grow. This is why it is so important to keep the wound clean and debrided.
8. Why should I choose AmeriGel® Wound Dressing over a “first aid antibiotic ointment”? The two main reasons that wounds will not heal, in general, are due to infection and build-up of necrotic (dead/dying/useless) tissue in the wound. While the “first aid ointment” fights infection, it lacks the ability to keep the wound free of necrotic tissue. Click here for the complete explanation.
9. Does AmeriGel® contain an antibiotic to help fight infection? AmeriGel® is naturally antimicrobial and antifungal because of the tannins found in Oakin®. This means that AmeriGel® can kill bacteria and microorganisms that could cause infection, much like an antibiotic. To be considered an “antibiotic” by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the medication must contain a drug.
10. Why do I need to cover my wound? All wounds should be covered with a dressing to protect it from germs that could cause infection. We recommend using a “moist” saline gauze dressing to cover the wound after applying Amerigel® Saturated Gauze Dressing. This also helps promote a moist wound bed which, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), is the optimal environment for healing to take place. Wounds left open to the air will dry out and often times form a scab. In chronic, non-healing wounds, scabs can delay the healing process and, in many instances, the scab may need to be surgically removed by a healthcare provider so that healing continues. Click here for Amerigel® Saturated Gauze Dressing Information.
11. What is a moist saline gauze dressing? A moist saline gauze dressing is a gauze (2X2, 4X4, etc.) that is dampened with saline (hospital-grade saltwater.) It should be dampened similar to a washcloth that you would wash your face with, not dripping wet but not wrung out completely either. After applying Amerigel® Saturated Gauze Dressing, moisten a gauze pad with Amerigel® Wound Wash and place it directly over the wound. You will then need to cover the moistened gauze with a dry gauze pad and tape or roll gauze to secure the dressing in place. If the gauze sticks to the wound when you try to remove it, wet the dressing with Amerigel® Saline Wound Wash for 10 – 15 minutes. This will help ease in its removal. Click here for Amerigel® Saturated Gauze Dressing Information.
12. What should I use to clean my wound? The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issues clinical practice guidelines for proper treatment and recommends the use of saline (hospital grade saltwater) for wound cleansing. We recommend using Amerigel® Wound Wash to rinse and irrigate the wound. Cleansing the wound with soap and water may leave soap residue if not rinsed adequately. To make matters worse, most health departments allow for certain amounts of additives in their water, like chlorine and bacteria that can slow down the healing process. Using Amerigel® Wound Wash eliminates these risks. Click here for Amerigel® Wound Wash information.
13. Should I use peroxide or betadine on a diabetic/chronic wound? No, these have been found to be harmful to new developing tissue in a chronic wound. A chronic wound is a wound that has been present for more than sixty days. For an acute wound, like a fresh scrape or cut, peroxide or betadine (povidone-iodine) could be used to cleanse the wound. When using Amerigel® Wound Wash AND AmeriGel® Wound Dressing together, it is not necessary to use peroxide or betadine.
There are several ways:
15. How does the “30-Day Money-Back Guarantee” work? Amerx Health Care stands behind the quality of our skin and wound care products. Some people are reluctant to purchase a product that they are not familiar with. Our guarantee is simple; try any Amerigel® product for 30 days to see how it works. If you are not satisfied for any reason, simply return the remainder of the product to Amerx and we will refund the original cost of the product. (Shipping and Handling charges are not refundable.)
16. Why does my wound "burn" or "sting" when I apply AmeriGel®? The skin is the largest organ in the human body and it contains many nerve endings. Some are deep in the skin and others are close to the surface. Any time there is an opening in the skin, there is always a chance that a nerve ending may be exposed. The burning sensation, similar to using Hydrogen Peroxide indicates that there is probably a superficial nerve ending exposed in the wound. Think of the nerve ending as a bare electrical wire without any insulation around it. Once the wound begins to heal, the newly formed tissue will surround and cover the nerve ending, thus insulating it. As healing takes place, the burning sensation will decrease in intensity and duration. To help minimize this discomfort, take an extra-strength acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain reliever (as directed on the bottle) one hour before the dressing change. This should help ease the discomfort and minimize the intensity.
17. Gauze is stuck to the wound, what do I do? It is common for gauze to stick to a wound. This is due to the type of drainage that comes from the wound. The best thing to do is to saturate the gauze with a saline solution (hospital–grade saltwater) for 10-15 minutes. This will soften the area that is stuck and make it easier to remove with little discomfort. If you simply pull the stuck gauze off, it will be painful and may cause the area to bleed. We recommend using Amerigel® Wound Wash. It is a pure saline solution that does not contain the chemicals added to tap water. Click here for Amerigel® Wound Wash information. |