No, we have not tested our plasters on animals.
The expiration date is written on the box below the lot number.
COMPEED® plasters are vegan. There is nothing in any of the COMPEED® dressings which have animal origin.
For the moment, our packs are not biodegradable but we fully understand the need of environmental friendly packs and our teams are constantly working on this topic. Please make sure to discard in the appropriate waste channels.
No, please be assured that our plasters do not contain latex, cellophane or gluten. Our plasters are also tested regarding sensitisation and irritation; these are standardised tests and both tests are negative
There is no alcohol in any of the COMPEED® dressings. COMPEED® anti-blister stick however does contain stearyl alcohol.
The shelf life is specific to the type of plaster, below is a breakdown of shelf lives by product:
Blister Medium(x1,x2,x5,x10) , Blister Underfoot/Sports Underfoot, Blister Extreme/Sports Heel, Blister Small, Blister on Toes, Blister Mix, Blister High Heel – 36 months shelf life after manufacture.
Cold Sore Patch: 36 months shelf life after manufacture.
Foot Care Corn Medium, Bunion and Callus and Callous Medium plasters have 48 months shelf life after manufacture.
If you’re wearing shoes that make you more prone to blisters, protect your feet from rubbing and friction with COMPEED® Blister Plasters. You can also prevent blisters by wearing two pairs of thin socks when exercising.
Blisters can take several days to heal. Treatments focus on protecting the blister from further friction. Apply a COMPEED® plaster to prevent further blistering and provide instant pain relief.
Blisters develop as a result of repeated friction and rubbing, often from tight or ill-fitting shoes.
Blisters are fluid filled lesions that develop in response to repeated friction on the skin. Open blisters can be very painful and take several days to heal.
COMPEED® Blister & Cold Sore plasters may be used by pregnant women. As always in this situation, if the women is any way unsure, she should consult her doctor.
The COMPEED® Active Corn plaster contains salicylic acid as an active ingredient, the product should only be used by pregnant women after consultation with their doctor.
There is no reason why COMPEED® should not be used by consumers who have suffered a stroke or who have similar conditions. However, if there is any doubt owing to the severity of the condition, we recommend that the consumer consult an appropriate health care professional.
No, diabetes is a contraindication.
Diabetes can lead to problems of the circulation and to nerve damage, which can in turn lead to ulceration of the extremities or poor healing of wounds. Because of this it is sensible for diabetics to take special care when treating themselves for similar situations. We advise diabetics not to use Compeed plasters unless they have consulted an appropriate health care professional.
This is printed on the back label of the plastic box.
All of our patches except corn active do not contain any active ingredients. Corn active contains salicylic acid that helps to soften the corn.
No, COMPEED® plasters can be used by anyone who is able to understand the instructions for use. There is no upper age limit.
The plasters are intended for single use only. If they fall off too early, you should not attempt to stick it back on but you should use a new COMPEED® blister plaster.
Lubricant products containing petroleum jelly, eg vaseline can damage neoprene and therefore should be avoided. The COMPEED® Anti-Blister Stick does not contain petroleum derived products. It does contain vegetable derived products (mainly hydrogenated vegetable oil and stearyl alcohol), however there is no data to indicate whether they may also damage neoprene.
The COMPEED® blister plasters must not be cut because this would reduce the adhesion of the plaster. The shape of the plaster is optimised for best adhesion. Other plasters are available in different sizes including COMPEED® Blister Medium (for heels), COMPEED® Blister Small (for sides of the foot) and COMPEED® Blister on Toes (for toe blisters).
The plaster should stay firmly in place for several days allowing your skin to repair itself. Please do not attempt to remove the plaster until it starts peeling off at the edges.
The plaster is intended for single use only. If it falls off too early, you should not attempt to stick it back on but you should use a new COMPEED® blister plaster.
You do not need to burst the blister to use Compeed®. If it does open, clean it with mild soapy water, soak it in a salt water foot bath for 10 minutes and cover with a protective plaster such as COMPEED®.
The patch should be used at the first sign of rubbing to help prevent blisters and on existing blisters to relieve pain and assist healing.
Blister plasers turning white indicates that they have absorbed excess fluid which aids healing.
A blood-blister is a type of blister in which a blood vessel has been broken beneath the skin’s surface. As such, it can be treated as any other blister by using a COMPEED® plaster. We do, however, recommend that careful attention is paid to the healing process of the blister and, if any doubt occurs, a doctor is consulted.
We recommend, for an open blister which is so large that it is not covered by a COMPEED® plaster, that a doctor or pharmacist is consulted for advice.
No, this is not the intended purpose for COMPEED® plasters. A waterproof regular dressing is recommended so that the dressing pad covers the cut and the adhesive is only around the cut.
There is no contraindication to use during breastfeeding except for corn active which contains salicylic acid, although this population has not been studied.
For best performance, the product should be stored at room temperature (15°C to 25°C). The product can be stored for brief periods above 30°C but below 40°C.
Scabbing is a natural wound healing process which protects a wound and prevents entry of dirt and germs. However, a scabbed wound is not beneficial from a healing perspective. In fact, moist conditions are more beneficial – as long as the entry of germs and dirt can be avoided. This is possible by using a COMPEED® blister plaster as it protects the wound whilst at the same time providing an optimal healing environment.
Yes, the plaster protects and cushions from rubbing to relieve blister pain instantly.
A COMPEED® blister plaster can stay in place for several days though individual experience might vary.
Once applied the plaster can give instant pain and pressure relief. The plaster also acts like a second skin and helps the healing process.
Yes, COMPEED® plasters are waterproof. Although contact with water may reduce the adhesion, water will only enter through the edges of the patch, not through the outer film. If the adhesion is reduced , remove the plaster carefully by slowly stretching along the skin and replace with a new one.
Even with a normal immune system, recurrences can happen. Sometimes the recurrence occurs spontaneously. However, the following are known triggers that can stimulate a recurrence: physical stress, persistent stressors, anxiety, fever, exposure to ultraviolet light, sun exposure, nerve damage, tissue damage, a suppressed immune system, heat, cold, menstruation, other infections, fatigue or hormones.
While there are different variations of the herpes virus, the most common are Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2), with HSV-1 being considerably more prevalent than HSV-2. The most common effect of HSV-1 is the cold sore.
The product is manufactured under best practice conditions but it is not sterile.
Depending on variations in the individual body’s defence mechanisms a cold sore outbreak sometimes can be more severe in comparison to how the outbreak usually appears in that individual. This can happen independently from the applied treatment. The area of the lesion may be bigger with more blisters developing and/or several foci may develop in different areas by degrees, often accompanied with increased pain.
Moreover, with a herpes outbreak, there is always a risk of secondary infection with bacteria, which can make the outbreak more painful and can lead to a more serious problem. In addition, there are other illnesses affecting the skin and closely resembling the clinical picture of a cold sore, requiring a specific medical treatment. All this can happen with any treatment and is an intrinsic factor of the herpes outbreak itself. However, a more severe course of symptoms may also potentially be an indication for a very rarely occurring incompatibility or allergic reaction, even if the product is well tolerated. So, if redness and itchiness occur under use of the product, the usage should be terminated until medical clarification. As the individual course of symptoms can vary, we recommend to consult a doctor if the condition appears different from previous outbreaks, worsens, persists much longer than usual and/ or does not heal within 10 days or is near the eye.
Cold Sores generally heal in 7 – 12 days.
Always consult a doctor or pharmacist if the sore does not heal or if it appears to get worse.
No there is no medication in the plaster. However, it contains ultra thin Hydrocolloid – 075 which is an absorbent ingredient. Ultra thin hydrocolloid – 075 is one of the latest technologies to be used in wound care. It is the vital element in the design of an ultra thin, flexible and discreet wound treatment. Treatments based on ultra thin hydrocolloid – 075 also help prevent the virus from spreading.
Though cold sore outbreaks can’t be prevented, the following may minimise spread of cold sores and reduce the frequency of outbreaks:
Cold sore recurrences are very common. The virus stays in the ganglia in an inactive, or latent, form. During this time the virus does not replicate. It stays in this latent form for varying amounts of time. Certain triggers may cause the virus to travel down the nerve to the skin and cause symptoms to reappear. This is known as a recurrence.
Even with a normal immune system, recurrences can happen. Sometimes the recurrence occurs spontaneously. However, the following are known triggers that can stimulate a recurrence: physical stress, persistent stressors, anxiety, fever, exposure to ultraviolet light, sun exposure, nerve damage, tissue damage, a suppressed immune system, heat, cold, menstruation, other infections, fatigue or hormonal changes.
In both the initial and subsequent outbreaks, the blisters and ulcers of herpes simplex are filled with the virus and are highly contagious until they are healed. Touching a cold sore and then touching other places could cause the virus to spread to those areas. To prevent spreading, the infected person should wash hands frequently especially after contact with the cold sore, and should not share cups, utensils or towels with other people.
Yes. There are no universal herpes symptoms; in fact, some people with herpes show no symptoms at all. There is also a variation among people who do show herpes symptoms. So, not everyone will have the same symptoms.
The first classic symptom of a cold sore is a burning or tingling sensation around the lips or nose. Within a day or two there is an eruption, which can lead to visible fluid-filled blisters. These blisters break exposing an open sore. If left uncovered, the cold sore will dry out over a period of days. A scab will form and then fall off once it’s healed.
Cold sores are most contagious during an outbreak. They are spread through direct intimate contact, usually kissing.
The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 generally causes cold sores. The virus is usually contracted early in childhood. Unfortunately, our body’s immune system isn’t able to completely get rid of the infection and the virus remains in our body, usually hidden in the Ganglion, a knot of nerves in the brain. While there is no definitive understanding of how a cold sore is triggered there is a common understanding that an outbreak can be triggered by a number of external factors such as: sun exposure, stress, cold weather, fever, cold or flu, fatigue or hormones. Cold sores are spread through direct, intimate physical contact with an infected person.
Yes. During an outbreak, the HSV-1 is present, and can be easily transferred from one person to another through kissing or sharing a drink. COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch will seal around the cold sore and helps prevent the virus from spreading while healing and touching the affected area, thereby greatly reducing contamination.
In both the initial and subsequent outbreaks, the blisters and ulcers of herpes simplex are filled with the virus and are highly contagious until they are healed. Touching a cold sore and then touching other places could cause the virus to spread to those areas. The cold sore virus is transmitted by saliva. To prevent spreading, a person with a cold sore should wash hands frequently especially after contact with the sore, and should not share cups or utensils with other people. Cold sores are also spread through direct physical contact with an infected person.
When someone is having a cold sore outbreak, there is a risk of secondary infection, which can make the outbreak more painful, and could lead to a more serious problem. By covering the outbreak, COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch helps reduce the risk of secondary infection.
Between 7 and 12 days.
The first symptom of a cold sore is a burning or tingling sensation around the lips or nose. Within a day or two there is an eruption, which can lead to visible fluid-filled blisters. These blisters break exposing an open sore. If left uncovered, the cold sore will dry out over a period of days. A scab will form and then fall off once it’s healed.
The first classic symptom of a cold sore is a burning or tingling sensation around the lips or nose. Within a day or two there is an eruption, which can lead to visible fluid-filled blisters. These blisters break exposing an open sore. If left uncovered, the cold sore will dry out over a period of days. A scab will form and then fall off once it’s healed.
A cold sore is an extremely common condition: Research shows that almost 90% of all people over the age thirty have tested positive exposure to HSV-1 at some time in their life, and over 20% of people consequently have a cold sore outbreak every so often. Chronic cold sore outbreaks can be a painful, aggravating condition.
While cold sores most often occur in the mouth and lip areas (the HSV-1 attacks this area because of the high concentration of nerve endings), cold sores can occur on the nostrils, cheeks and/or the fingers. Cold sores may also form on the roof of your mouth or the gums. These sores are not to be confused with canker sores, which occur on the inside of the cheek, and are not related to the HSV.
A person can be infected with one or both herpes viruses. Typically, HSV-1 infections predominantly occur on or near the lips of the mouth and HSV-2 infections occur in the genital area.
Current cold sore outbreaks can be treated with creams and hydrocolloid patches. The COMPEED® cold sore patch instantly hides, protects and relieves pain while achieving comparable healing time to commonly used anti-viral 5% cream *.
* Karlsmark T, Goodman JJ, Drouault Y, Lufrano L, Pledger GW. Randomized clinical study comparing COMPEED® cold sore patch to acyclovir cream 5% in the treatment of herpes simplex labialis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008; 22 (10): 1184-1193
The cold sore virus (HSV-1) is usually contracted during childhood.
Nearly 80% of the adult population has the virus, but only 20% experience outbreaks. These can be triggered by several factors including:
Herpes is a virus. And like most other viruses, herpes can be spread between human beings. What makes herpes different from some other viruses is that a herpes infection is forever. With other common viruses, like those that cause colds or the flu, the virus is eventually destroyed entirely by the body’s immune system. Not so with herpes. The herpes virus sits at a place in the body called Ganglion, a knot of nerves that are unreachable by the body’s defences. Every so often the herpes virus replicates itself and moves along a particular path to the body’s surface. This is known as an outbreak or a cold sore. When the herpes virus manifests itself in this way, it is usually killed by the host’s immune system. But the herpes virus always maintains enough of itself in its bodily hiding place so that it is able to live on — at least as long as its host.
The word “herpes” is taken from the Greek word “herpein” which means, “to creep.” The herpes simplex viruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that only infect humans. There are many types of herpes simplex viruses but two more predominant ones:
A person can be infected with one or both herpes viruses. Typically, HSV-1 infections predominantly occur on or near the lips of the mouth and HSV-2 infections occur in the genital area.
We do not recommend you use COMPEED® patches after their expiry date.
Do not attempt to remove the patch until it starts peeling off at the edges. If the plaster is still on after 12 hours, it will continue to create an optimal healing environment and will continue to be effective.
Yes. For best results, begin use at the first symptom of a cold sore.
COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch can be used by adults and children though no specific study has been conducted in children. However the parent should ensure that the child is of suitable age so that they would not chew and swallow the patch.
The product would work equally well for children though this population has not been studied. Parents should supervise the children to ensure that they do not chew or swallow the patch.
No special precautions need to be taken when using the patch.
Yes, as long as you are gentle around the infected area.
It is recommended to avoid intimate contact with other people during an outbreak. When an outbreak occurs, the HSV-1 is present, and can be easily transferred from one person to another through kissing or sharing a drink.
There are no known incompatibilities with any type of food or beverage when using the patch.
Yes. Just make sure the product remains in place. Since the virus is also present in the saliva of cold sore sufferers it is recommended not to share glasses or cutlery with others.
On average 7 days, depending upon the outbreak. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if cold sores become severe and/or are not healed within 10 days.
For best results we recommend wearing the patch day and night.
The product should stick even if you have a beard. Patients with beards were included in the clinical study and no problems were identified.
No. The patch should be applied to clean, dry skin – free of cream or ointment. Make-up can be applied over the patch.
A patch will naturally detach after approximately 8 hours and should then be replaced with a new one.
In a clinical study involving 174 subjects 25% of the subjects had a wear time of 12 hours or more. Individual experiences may vary. In any case, wait until the patch starts to detach before peeling it off.
The wound and the skin do not dry out by using the patch. The patch seals around the cold sore, covering it entirely to protect it from further aggravation such as touching. The patch also provides soothing relief from itching and burning. It absorbs some of the fluid and allows the rest to breathe through the patch. Scabbing is reduced because the wound does not dry out. The wound is less obvious to people and more comfortable without the presence of a dry, itchy scab.
COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch is a discreet healing patch with ultra thin Hydrocolloid – 075 ingredient that manages cold sores from start to finish. COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch provides a treatment that is clinically proven to tackle all 5 stages of cold sore symptoms, the beginning to end.
The patch should not affect your healthy skin and should not make it dry and itchy as it works by creating a moist healing environment.
Yes, a clinical study was conducted with the COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch. It evidenced that cold sores are safely and effectively managed by the patch. Patients in the study reported that the use of the patch resulted in a comfortable, hygienic, less visible and bearable management of a cold sore outbreak.
Touching is the most common source of cross-contamination and a COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch seals and covers the wound completely, helping prevent the wearer from touching it.
COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch does not provide significant UV protection. You can use sunscreen over the patch.
Yes. However, if redness and itchiness should occur, the user should terminate the treatment and visit a doctor.
The patch is water-resistant, including chlorinated and salt water. Since some cold sores are located near the mouth, washing the face or coming into contact with drinking fluids may reduce the adhesion. Swimming may also reduce the adhesion. The water will only enter through the edges, not through the outer film. If that should occur, simply replace it with a new patch.
The patch provides optimal healing conditions for the cold sore lesion. When covering the cold sore with COMPEED® Cold Sore Patch, soothing relief from itching and burning occurs because the patch protects exposed nerve endings and prevents the cold sore from drying out, therefore reducing formation of painful scabs.
The Hydrocolloid technology is an active gel that acts like a second skin. It seals your cold sore, facilitating your body’s natural healing mechanism.
You can start to use when you first feel a tingle and continue using a patch day and night throughout the outbreak until the lesion is fully healed.
Anti-virals fight the replication of the virus, which is only part of the problem when you get a cold sore. The virus can never actually be eliminated. Therefore, an effective alternative approach is to heal the cold sore and treat its symptoms as you would a wound. The COMPEED® Cold Sore Discreet Healing Patch effectively treats the cold sore in a way that relieves the symptoms associated with each stage of the outbreak.
Yes, you can use on facial Herpes except for those around the eyes.
Do not use on pregnant or lactating women (no clinical data available on this population)
No.
There is a lack of clinical data on using a combination of the patch with other local treatment. We recommend not to use the patch with other local treatment or to consult your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
We do not recommend using creams or ointments under the patch as they could compromise the adhesion.
There are no known contraindications when using the patch in combination with medicinal products. However cold sore treatment creams or ointments could disrupt the adhesion of the patch.
Do not use Compeed cold sore patch if you have experienced a previous allergic reaction to using the patches.
The product is composed of materials that should not pose a health hazard. There should be no choking hazards due to the thinness and small dimensions of the patch. However, the product is not meant to be ingested. If you do swallow, please consult your doctor.
The Salicylic Acid is contained in the central dot of the corn active plaster. In the dot, the Salicylic acid is present at 40%.
To prevent corns, start by reducing pressure and moisturising your feet, especially if you’re going to wear tight shoes. Wearing a hydrocolloid plaster, such as COMPEED® Corn Plasters, can also reduce pressure while maintaining the natural moisture balance.
Start by relieving and moisturising pressure points on the foot. This can be done by applying a plaster to cushion against rubbing and friction. COMPEED® corn plasters contain a special gel that helps remove the corn while providing instant pain relief.
Corns are caused by rubbing and pressure on bony surfaces, and usually result from poorly fitting shoes. The skin on the foot thickens as a protective response to pressure and friction.
Corns are areas of thickened skin on the foot, which are often painful to pressure.
Compeed corn plasters are not indicated for use on verrucas as they have not been tested in this indication. We therefore cannot recommend that they are used in this way.
To prevent a callus from forming, try moisturising with a foot cream and exfoliating; this can remove old skin cells before they harden.
It is also a good idea to protect your feet against rubbing and friction, especially if you’re going to wear heels that put extra weight on the ball of your foot.
Repeated rubbing, pressure and weight cause calluses, as is the case when wearing high heels which shifts the full body weight onto the ball of the foot.
Start by relieving and moisturising the callused skin. Try COMPEED® Callus Plasters to cushion against pressure, moisturise and provide instant pain relief.
Calluses are patches of hardened yellow skin, most often found on the heel or the ball of the foot or on the palm of the hand. Calluses are generally larger than corns and less well defined.
It may be possible to delay the progression of bunions by taking extra care of your feet. Avoid unnecessary pressure by wearing properly fitting shoes, especially near the joint and toe area. For those occasions where you might wish to wear less comfortable shoes, cushion the area to minimise pressure.
Inward pressure on the toes can lead to bunions, as the toe points towards the foot and the joint is pushed out. Tight and uncomfortable shoes can also aggravate this condition.
Bunions can also be caused by underlying medical conditions, if in doubt consult your doctor.
Surgery is the only permanent cure for bunions. Fortunately, you can minimise friction and rubbing on the hardened area. COMPEED® Bunion Plasters cushion the skin to prevent further rubbing, providing instant relief from pressure and hardened skin.
Bunions are hard lumps on the big toe joint. They can be incredibly painful.
