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5 Best Silver Alginate Dressings of 2024

5 Best Silver Alginate Dressings of 2024
HPFY Staff Writer

Article Reviewed by Registered Colorectal NurseReviewed by Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse, on August 29, 2022

Alginate dressings are light, nonwoven seaweed derivatives used on heavily exudating wounds. These are available in many forms and types, one of which is silver alginate dressing. 

What is a silver alginate dressing?

Silver has been around for over 200 years and is known globally for treating infected wounds. Alginates with silver dressing are popular for their antimicrobial action, fluid absorbing capacity, and high wet tensile strength making them an effective option to manage chronic wounds.

These sliver dressings are effective against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. They contain silver chloride, a cleansing agent to keep the wound free from bacteria. In essence, silver alginate dressing combines the highly absorbent characteristics of alginate dressings and the antimicrobial properties of silver bandages, making it beneficial for infected wounds. 

How is silver used in an alginate dressing?

The silver ions in the dressings may appear in the following forms:

  • As a coating on one or both the external surfaces of the dressing (elemental or nanocrystalline silver). Silver laced on the surface of the dressing comes in direct contact with the wound where its antimicrobial action takes place.
  • Within the structure of the dressing, either as a coating on dressing material (elemental or compound silver), within the space of the dressing material (elemental or compound silver), or as a compound that forms a part of the dressing structure. Silver within the dressing structure. Silver within the dressing structure acts on bacteria absorbed into the dressing with the wound exudate but may get diffused to some extent into the wound.
  • As a combination of both.

5 Best Silver Alginate Dressings for Infected Wounds

Silver alginates play a critical role in wound management and help in preventing infections from most types of bacteria. Here are five of our best silver alginate dressings.

1. Systagenix Silvercel Non Adherent Antimicrobial Alginate Dressing

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved Latex Free Latex Free

It is a non-woven, non-adherent pad made ofalginate and silver-coated nylon fibers. It comes with an EASYLIFT precision film technology and provides effective protection against wound pathogens. Silvercel Non Adherent is a 29% more absorbent option than the Aquacel Ag.

Features of Silvercel Wound Dressing

  • Offers easy and pain-free removal
  • Helps to maintain a moist wound environment
  • Not made with natural rubber latex
  • Can be covered and secured with a non-occlusive secondary dressing
 

2. Systagenix Silvercel Antimicrobial Alginate Dressing

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

Silvercel Alginate Dressing is a non-woven, sterile pad composed of high G (guluronic acid) alginate, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and silver-coated nylon fibers. Its unique composition is designed to manage exudate and help control infected or heavily colonized wounds. Antimicrobial action, excellent fluid handling capacity, and high wet tensile strength make Silvercel suitable for the management of chronic wounds.

Features of Silvercel Dressing

  • Forms a gel on contact with exudate, making the dressing suitable for minor bleeding wounds and infected wounds.
  • Minimizes the leakage and risk of maceration.
  • Proven to absorb and retain fluid even under compression.
  • Designed not to break down in the wound.
  • Maintains strength within a moist wound environment.
 

3. DermaRite DermaGinate Ag Alginate Dressing with Antibacterial Silver

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

As one of the best antimicrobial silver alginate dressing available it is ideal to use on wound with heavy exudates. It forms a soothing, gel-like consistency when comes in contact with moisture, yet maintains integrity for convenient removal.

Features of DermaGinate Antibacterial Dressing

  • Easy one piece removal
  • Assists with moist wound healing
  • Help reduce bioburden in infected wounds
  • Protects against microbial contamination
  • Removes odor
 

4. Coloplast Biatain Alginate Ag Dressing

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

This alginate dressing features optimum absorption for infected sloughed wounds and cavity filling. It is ideally used on infected wounds with excessive exudate. The Biatain foam dressing can be used on pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, donor sites, traumatic wounds, and second-degree burns, to name a few.

Features of Biatain Alginate Silver Dressing

  • Ideal for wounds at-risk of infection
  • Unique dressing integrity allows one-piece removal
  • Minimal risk of leakage and maceration
  • Controls heavy bleeding
 

5. Safe N Simple Simpurity Silver Alginate Wound Dressing

FSA Eligible Items FSA Approved

It is made of natural fibers derived from seaweed. The dressing absorbs exudates and forms a gel-like covering over the wound, maintaining a moist environment for wound healing. The gel-like surface also keeps the dressing from adhering to the wound, promoting painless removal. This feature makes dressing changes easier and saves the patient and the health care professional time.

Features of Simpurity Silver Alginate Dressing

  • It can inhibit bacteria growing in the wound bed and reduce infection
  • They are designed to be fast-acting and are highly absorbent
  • Easy to remove from the wound
  • An effective concentration of silver particles to reduce bioburden
 

When to use silver alginate wound dressings?

Silver alginate dressings are best for:

  • Acute wounds, such as surgical or traumatic wounds and burns
  • Chronic wounds include diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial leg/foot ulcers.
  • Systemic infection involving severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunctions.
  • In cases of infected acute or chronic wounds obstructed from healing by microorganisms, a silver dressing reduces bioburden.
  • A silver dressing acts as an antimicrobial barrier in cases of acute or chronic wounds at a high risk of infection or re-infection.

Contraindications

Sliver alginates should not be used in the following cases:

  • No symptoms of localized, spreading, or systemic infection
  • Surgical/small acute wounds at low risk of infection
  • Chronic wounds healing as per comorbidities and age
  • Patients sensitive to silver or any of the dressing components
  • During pregnancy or lactation; and
  • When contraindicated by the manufacturer.

Where to buy the best silver alginate dressings for wounds?

Health Products For You has been your health and wellness partner since 2002. We offer an array of wound healing products, including, silver and calcium alginates. Explore our catalog today to find what suits your needs the best. 

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HPFY HPFY Staff Writer

HPFY Staff Writer

HPFY Staff Writers are product experts with years of experience in medical supplies and equipment retail. They specialize in understanding the typical usage of our products, the differentiation between brands and have insights on product popularity and features. Each article ...

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