GRANUFLEX HYDRO

Hydrocolloid dressings support wound healing by maintaining a consistently moist wound contact environment, absorbing exudate into a gel that forms at the wound surface and sustaining the conditions in which tissue repair proceeds. Granuflex Hydro is a CMC-based hydrocolloid wound dressing from ConvaTec for light to moderately exuding clean wounds. It requires secondary fixation to hold it in place, offering clinicians and patients flexibility over the fixation method to suit the wound site and clinical plan. Three sizes, including a 20cm x 20cm large format. No active agents. No prescription required.

Granuflex Hydro is a Class IIb regulated medical device from ConvaTec. It is a standard CMC-based hydrocolloid wound dressing without an adhesive border. The wound contact layer contains carboxymethylcellulose hydrocolloid that absorbs wound exudate and converts it into a soft gel that maintains consistent wound surface moisture throughout the wear period. The outer layer provides a waterproof barrier to external fluids.

The absence of an adhesive border is the defining practical difference between Granuflex Hydro and Granuflex Bordered. Granuflex Bordered has an integrated adhesive border that holds the dressing in place without secondary products. Granuflex Hydro must be secured using a secondary fixation method chosen to suit the wound location and patient needs. This may be a film overlay, adhesive tape, a retention bandage, or compression bandaging, depending on the wound site and clinical plan.

The flexibility afforded by a non-bordered format has clinical applications. On wound sites where adhesive borders would be difficult to apply or remove without skin trauma, fragile periwound skin, excoriated areas, wounds under compression therapy, a hydrocolloid sheet held with a separate fixation method may be more appropriate than an integrated adhesive format. The choice of fixation can also be adjusted at each change without changing the wound contact material.

Granuflex Hydro is available in 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm, and 20cm x 20cm. The 20cm x 20cm is the largest size in the Granuflex hydrocolloid range stocked on this site, suited to more extensive wound areas. No active pharmaceutical ingredients are present.

The yellowish or brownish gel present on the wound and dressing when Granuflex Hydro is removed is normal hydrocolloid gel; it is absorbed wound exudate within the CMC matrix, not infection. Rinse with saline before assessing the wound. Granuflex Hydro has no antimicrobial action and should not be used on infected wounds.

CMC Hydrocolloid Gel Formation

The carboxymethylcellulose hydrocolloid on the wound contact surface absorbs wound exudate as the wound produces it. As the CMC matrix takes on fluid, it swells and softens from a firm disc into a soft gel. This gel maintains a consistent layer of moisture at the wound surface throughout the wear period. The moist environment supports the cellular processes of wound healing, including cell migration across the wound bed, development of new tissue, and the natural removal of non-viable wound material.

Exudate Management

The hydrocolloid gel holds absorbed exudate within its matrix rather than allowing it to spread laterally onto the periwound skin. This reduces maceration risk at the wound edges. The gel capacity of Granuflex Hydro is suited to light to moderate exudate output. For heavily exuding wounds where the gel would reach the dressing edge rapidly, a more absorbent dressing type is appropriate.

Secondary Fixation

Because Granuflex Hydro has no adhesive border, the method used to secure it determines both how well it stays in place and how easy it is to remove at the next change. A film overlay covers the hydrocolloid and adheres to the surrounding skin, protecting the edges while being transparent enough to allow visual monitoring. Tape applied around the edges holds the dressing without covering the wound area. A bandage or compression dressing over the hydrocolloid provides both fixation and, where indicated, compression therapy. The fixation method is selected based on the wound site, patient skin condition, and clinical plan.

Preparation

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound and dry the surrounding skin.
• Prepare the secondary fixation product before applying the hydrocolloid.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 10cm x 10cm, 15cm x 15cm, or 20cm x 20cm.
• Remove the release liner.
• Apply the hydrocolloid centrally over the wound.
• Apply secondary fixation immediately - film, tape, or bandage as clinically appropriate.
• Label with the date and time.

Change and Removal

• Change when the gel has spread to the dressing edge, when secondary fixation has loosened, or when clinically indicated.
• Remove secondary fixation first, then lift the hydrocolloid from the wound.
• The yellowish gel on the wound is normal. Rinse with saline.
• Assess the wound at each change.

Choose secondary fixation carefully for fragile or damaged periwound skin. Adhesive tape or film applied and removed repeatedly on compromised skin can cause stripping injury. A non-adhesive retention bandage may be more appropriate in these situations.

Granuflex Hydro 10cm x 10cm - Pack of 10

A medium square for moderate-sized wounds where the hydrocolloid without a border is the preferred format. Versatile across wound types and body locations. The most commonly used size for routine wound management with Granuflex Hydro.

Granuflex Hydro 15cm x 15cm - Pack of 10

A larger square for wounds that exceed the coverage area of the 10cm x 10cm. Suited to larger pressure ulcers, more extensive venous leg ulcer areas, and other wound sites where broader hydrocolloid wound contact is needed while retaining the flexibility of choosing secondary fixation.

Granuflex Hydro 20cm x 20cm - Pack of 5

The largest format in the Granuflex hydrocolloid range stocked here. Suited to extensive wound areas where broad hydrocolloid coverage is clinically indicated, and standard dressing sizes do not adequately cover the wound. For large wounds of this scale, clinical supervision from a tissue viability nurse or district nurse is recommended alongside dressing use.

In all sizes, the hydrocolloid should fully cover the wound and overlap onto intact periwound skin on all sides. Secondary fixation then holds the dressing against the skin.

Do Not Use Granuflex Hydro If

• The wound is infected - no antimicrobial action is present.
• The wound is heavily exuding - the hydrocolloid will saturate rapidly.
• The wound is a deep cavity requiring packing.
• Known sensitivity to CMC, polyurethane, or any dressing component.

Precautions

• Single use only.
• Always apply secondary fixation immediately after placing the hydrocolloid.
• The yellow or brown gel on removal is normal.
• Assess wound and periwound skin at each change.
• Remove before MRI.

Adverse Effects

• Skin maceration if the dressing is left beyond the gel border point.
• Skin damage from adhesive secondary fixation on fragile periwound skin - choose fixation method carefully.

Wounds and Situations Where Granuflex Hydro Is Appropriate

• Light to moderately exuding clean wounds, including pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, minor burns, and other wounds, where moist wound healing and hydrocolloid wound contact are the clinical approach
• Wound sites where an adhesive border cannot safely be applied or removed - fragile periwound skin, excoriated skin, wounds under compression therapy
• Situations where the clinician wants to control the fixation method independently from the wound contact material
• Adults and children where clinically directed

Granuflex Hydro vs Granuflex Bordered

Both use CMC hydrocolloid wound contact technology from ConvaTec. Granuflex Bordered adds an integrated adhesive border, making it self-contained and requiring no secondary fixation. Granuflex Hydro has no border and must be secured separately. Choose Granuflex Hydro when the wound site or periwound skin condition makes an adhesive border impractical, when compression bandaging or another secondary method is clinically indicated over the wound, or when a larger wound area requires the 20cm x 20cm format.

Granuflex Hydro is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. All three sizes are available from Pharmacy Planet.

Our pharmacists can advise on size selection and on whether Granuflex Hydro or Granuflex Bordered is better suited to the wound site, periwound skin condition, and clinical management plan.

For infected wounds, heavily exuding wounds, or wounds not following an expected course, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. All three Granuflex Hydro sizes are genuine ConvaTec products stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise across the Granuflex range and on secondary fixation options for different wound sites and patient situations.

References

1. ConvaTec. Granuflex — Instructions for Use. ConvaTec. https://www.convatec.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Principles of wound assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed June 2026.