Compeed (contraction of "Competition" and "Seed") is a brand of hydrocolloid gel plasters for treating blisters,[1][2] corns,[3][4] cracked heels[5] and cold sores.[6][7][8][9] It was originally developed by Lars Backsell while working in Denmark for Coloplast A/S.[10] The brand was sold to Johnson & Johnson in May 2002,[11] then acquired by HRA Pharma in 2017. Compeed plasters are still manufactured by Coloplast.[12]

Compeed
OwnerHRA Pharma (2017)
CountryDenmark
Introduced1986 (1986)
MarketsWorld
Previous ownersColoplast
Websitewww.compeed.com

The product was originally designed for treating ostomy patients.[13]

History

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In 1984, Lars Backsell, while working as a General Manager at Coloplast, conducted a clinical trial with the Swedish army to test a prototype that developed a skin barrier for bandaging purposes based on hydrocolloid technology.[14] The initial product used an ostomy sheet and was sold as a blister-protective bandage through pharmacies to consumers.[15]

In 1986, Compeed was first sold in Sweden before being registered in the United States in the category of antiseptic cleaning tissues as a trademark under serial number 73589785.[16] Compeed got Food and Drug Administration-approval in 1988.[17]

In 2002, "Compeed X-TREME Flex" plaster by Jan Marcussen was included in the art museum MoMA design collection.[18] The brand was later sold to Johnson & Johnson in May 2002.[11]

In 2004, "Compeed X-TREME Flex" plaster won the Danish Design Award.[19][20] In 2007, Compeed was awarded Nicholas Hall's New Product of the Year.[10]

Technology

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The hydrocolloidal plaster contains croscarmellose sodium (an internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose,[21] water-soluble polymer) and tackifier resins.[22] The top level of the plaster is made of elastomer and polyurethane film.[23]

When applied to the blister, it starts to absorb body fluids, turning into a soft mass. It seals the blister, forming the so-called "second skin". The plaster prevents the blister from developing. At first, the plaster absorbs all the moisture from the blister, but over time, it becomes more permeable, so the wound dries out.[21]

Research

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Compeed conducts consumer insight research. A 2012 study found that 58 percent of women take off their shoes during a night out because of the pain.[24][unreliable source] It also showed that the average heel worn by British women is 3.3 inches, the highest across Europe.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Zuckerman, Jane N. (2012). "Skin Problems and Foot Care". Principles and Practice of Travel Medicine, 2nd Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-9763-2. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  2. ^ Buck Tilton (1995). Blister Shields. Backpacker, Oct 1995. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  3. ^ K Springett; M Deane; P Dancaster. "Treatment of corns, calluses and heel fissures with a hydrocolloid dressing". www.istic.ac.cn/. The Journal of British Podiatric Medicine, 1997 (52), 7. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Nathan, Alan (2010). "Corns and calluses". Non-prescription Medicines. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0853698869. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  5. ^ Kim Jones (March 20, 2013). "Shhh: Products to help you become Sleeping Beauty". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Rutter, Paul (2013). "Evidence base for over-the-counter medication". Community Pharmacy: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 238. ISBN 978-0702029950. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  7. ^ Nathan, Alan (2010). "Cold sores". Non-prescription Medicines. Pharmaceutical Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-0853698869. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  8. ^ Karlsmark T, Goodman JJ, Drouault Y, Lufrano L, Pledger GW (2008). "Randomized clinical study comparing Compeed cold sore patch to acyclovir cream 5% in the treatment of herpes simplex labialis". J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 22 (10). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology,2008 Nov;22(10): 1184–92. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02761.x. PMID 18462303. S2CID 33832332.
  9. ^ Christine Clark (2013). "Pharmacy Magazine: CPD Module, Module 173" (PDF). The Pharmacy Magazine Learning. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  10. ^ a b Hall, Nicholas (September 2008). "Lars Backsell and the Compeed Story". Simplifyle. 14: 203–204.
  11. ^ a b "Compeed X-TREME Flex". Coloplast A/S sells Coloplast Consumer Products A/S to Johnson & Johnson. Nordic Business Report. May 15, 2002. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  12. ^ "Coloplast A/S 9M 2011/12 Financial Statements Chaired by Lars Rasmussen". Coloplast A/S sells Coloplast Consumer Products A/S to Johnson & Johnson. Coloplast. August 15, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  13. ^ Hougaard, Soren (2006). "Occurrences in a diagnostic perspective". The Business Idea: The Early Stages of Entrepreneurship. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 55. ISBN 9783540269595. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "US4367732 (A) - Skin barrier". Espacenet. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  15. ^ Wall, Tom (1984). "Rädda fotterna". Apoteket. 1/84.
  16. ^ "Compeed". uspto.gov. United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  17. ^ "FDA 510(k) Application Details - K883588". Food and Drug Administration. 1988. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  18. ^ "Compeed X-TREME Flex". www.moma.org. Museum of Modern Art. 2002. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  19. ^ "Winners 2000-2011//Danish Design Award 2012" (PDF). ddc.dk/. Danish Design Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  20. ^ Tina Bryld (2004). "Masser af prisværdigt dansk design" (in Danish). Jyllands-Posten. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  21. ^ a b Chris Woodford (May 12, 2014). "Blister plasters and hydrocolloidal dressings". www.explainthatstuff.com/. Explainthatstuff.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  22. ^ "Bandage for covering area of skin and which may be permanently stretched and shaped to the anatomical contour: US 6297423 B1". www.google.com/patents. Google Patents. October 2, 2001. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  23. ^ "Blister dressing including a hydrocolloid adhesive body: WO 2011135256 A". www.google.com/patents. Google Patents. November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  24. ^ "Stiletto shoes come at a high price". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  25. ^ "British women wear highest heels in Europe". The Daily Telegraph. July 20, 2012. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.