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Top Five Silver Alginate Dressings for 2023

Top Five Silver Alginate Dressings for 2023
Swati Chadha

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

Introduction     |     How it Works?     |     When to Use     |     Top-Five

Topical antimicrobial dressings are used to prevent and manage infections in a wide range of wounds. Silver, as a topical antimicrobial agent, has been used in wound care for over hundreds of years. The active agents, silver ions, are effective in killing microbes instantly by blocking the respiratory enzyme system whilst remaining non-toxic to surrounding tissues.

What is a Silver Alginate Dressing?

A wide range of non-antimicrobial wound dressings are being used for managing non-infected chronic wounds. They promote wound healing by generating and maintaining a moist environment. Alginate wound dressings are the best ways to manage exudating wounds. The Systagenix Silvercel Silver Alginate Wound Dressing is meant for exudating infected chronic wounds. Its antimicrobial action, fluid absorbing capacity, and high wet tensile strength enable the correct fluid management of chronic wounds

Antimicrobials, such as silver are incorporated into the alginate wound dressing for treating at-risk or infected chronic wounds. Alginate wound dressings impregnated with silver have significant benefits in wound care. It ensures the bioavailability of silver at the wound site for a long period of time. This minimizes the nursing time, thus cutting down the healthcare cost. Alginate wound care also reduces the patient’s discomfort which is common during dressing change. Also, silver-containing alginate wound dressings are effective against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. Ferris PolyMem MAX Silver Dressings for infected wounds are the best suited for heavily exudating wounds requiring a long dressing wear time. They contain a mild, non-toxic tissue-friendly cleansing agent, which maintains a clean wound bed.

Thus, silver alginate dressing uses a combination of highly absorbent characteristics of alginate dressings and the antimicrobial efficacy of silver bandages. This makes them particularly beneficial in the management of highly exuding wounds.

How is silver incorporated in a dressing?

The silver component of 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 (e.g. Silver alginate). Silver within the dressing structure (e.g., silver alginate). 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.

The delivery vehicle or platform is equally important to ensure that the sustainability and efficacy of the antimicrobial (such as silver) can be maintained. So, a variety of silver dressings for wound care are available, including, foam, hydrogels, alginates, hydro fiber, hydrocolloids, and polymeric films. For instance, the Silvasorb Silver Antimicrobial Wound Gel is ideal for lightly draining infected wounds. It combines the antimicrobial benefits of silver with the moisturizing benefits of a hydrogel. The Molnlycke Mepilex Ag Antimicrobial Foam Dressing is used for the treatment of medium-exuding chronic or acute wounds which are infected. It is a combination of the silver’s antimicrobial action and the Safetec technology that rescues pain and skin damage during dressing change.

When to use Silver Alginate Dressings?

Silver alginate dressings are best for:

  • Acute wounds, such as surgical or traumatic wounds and burns;
  • Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, 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.
  • In cases of acute or chronic wounds at a high risk of infection or re-infection, a silver dressing acts as an antimicrobial barrier.

When not to use Silver Alginate Dressings?

Silver alginate dressing 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.

Top Five Silver Alginate Wound Dressings

At HPFY, we have a wide range of silver alginate wound dressings that play a critical role in wound management and help in preventing infections from most types of bacteria. We have listed five of the best silver alginate dressings.

1. Medline SilvaSorb Silver Antimicrobial Wound Gel

Silvasorb Antimicrobial Wound Gel is ideal for lightly draining wounds needing an antimicrobial barrier. It harnesses the power of ionic silver by releasing it at a controlled level for broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. This self-activating wound gel does not cause any harm to tissue cells. SilvaSorb Gel provides a three-day antimicrobial barrier, plus the moisture donating benefits of the hydrogel.

Features of SilvaSorb Silver Antimicrobial Wound Gel

  • Silver Dressing with constant powerful antimicrobial protection: Controlled-release antimicrobial silver.
  • Helps manage bacterial burden: Effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi.
  • Extended wear time: Effective for up to three days.
  • Easy to use for antimicrobial efficacy: There is no need to pre-wet or re-wet;
  • Optimal moisture levels: Balanced moisture management creates an ideal healing environment and will not macerate or dry wounds.
 

2. Safe N Simple Simpurity Silver Alginate Wound Dressing

Safe N Simple Simpurity Silver Alginate Wound Dressing 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 so it promotes painless removal. This feature makes dressing changes easier and saves time for both the patient and health care professional.

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
  • it Has been tested in vitro and found to be effective against multiple bacteria
 

3. Hollister CalciCare Calcium Silver Alginate Dressing

Hollister CalciCare Calcium Silver Alginate Dressing is a sterile, reinforced non-woven alginate dressing composed of a high G (guluronic acid) calcium/sodium alginate. It is highly absorbent with improved wet strength. Calcium Alginate Silver Dressing is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms through recommended wear time.

Features of Hollister CalciCare Silver Alginate Dressing

  • Aids autolytic debridement, facilitating wound healing.
  • Uniformly absorbs exudates and protects the peri-wound skin.
  • Helps maintain a moist wound environment.
  • Calcium alginate material is highly absorbent and creates a conformable protective gel when in contact with exudate.
  • Silver ions are released in the presence of wound exudate.
 

4. 3M Tegaderm Alginate Ag Silver Dressing

3M Tegaderm Alginate Ag Silver Dressing provides the antimicrobial silver, soft-gelling absorbency, and fiber strength that professionals need to manage critically colonized wounds and wounds at increased risk of infection. In addition to the dressing’s proven silver compound, its carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and alginate fiber formula create a dressing that conforms to the wound surface and has high wet strength for easy removal.

Features of 3M Tegaderm Alginate Ag Dressing

  • A highly soluble form of silver reduces a broad spectrum of pathogens, including MRSA and VRE.
  • Helps control wound odor and provides a sustained antimicrobial barrier for up to 14 days.
  • Conforms to the wound and is soft and pliable.
  • Assists in controlling minor bleeding.
  • Provides excellent exudate management with greater absorbency.
 

5. Systagenix Silvercel Antimicrobial Alginate Dressing

Systagenix Silvercel Antimicrobial 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 Antimicrobial Dressing suitable for the management of chronic wounds.

Features of Silvercel Alginate 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.
 

Where to buy the best Silver Alginate Dressings for Wounds?

Health Products For You has been online since 2002 to cater to its wide variety of clientele with the best quality products. HPFY is a customer-centric online medical supplies store. Shop from us and get the best deals on every product you purchase.

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.


HPFY Swati Chadha

Swati Chadha

Swati Chadha has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2017. A stay-at-home mom of two wonderful children, her professional experience has been in the social development sector with a focus on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. She considers ...

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