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Alginate dressings are natural wound dressings made from seaweed and can be used for heavily exuding wounds. These dressings are biodegradable in nature and provide a moist wound healing environment. They have sodium and calcium fibers which have water insoluble gelatinous properties that absorb large amounts of exudates without any discomfort or saturation. When the alginate dressing comes into contact with the exudate, it forms a soft, integral gel which conforms to the wound contours. These alginate dressings for wounds do not stick to the delicate healing tissues and are easy to remove.
These Calcium alginate dressings are versatile in nature and have numerous applications. They work best on wet wounds, which produce a lot of exudate and sloughy wounds that have dead tissues. Alginate dressings are effective on:
They have hemostatic properties for which they are used on bleeding wounds.
These wound dressings should not be applied on heavily necrotic and dry wounds. Calcium alginate dressings require exudate to form a gel-like covering and initiate healing. If the wound is dry the dressing will stick to it and can be painful while removing.
Calcium alginate wound dressings are available in different types such as ribbon dressing and flat, non-woven pads. You can choose from alginate dressings which are latex or latex-free and incorporated with silver, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or hydrocolloid. Some wound dressings also comes with an antimicrobial agent to fight infection.
Alginate dressings with silver display effective antimicrobial action against bacteria and also release silver ions into the wound depending on the exudate amount which is present. There are many self-adhesive alginate dressings but some are non-adherent types also and will need a secondary dressing.
Selecting a dressing will depend on the status of the wound because there are different types of alginate dressings available.
Initially, the wound produces more exudate which gradually lessens as healing progresses. The wound keeps some amount of moisture needed for the healing process and the excessive moisture is absorbed by the dressing. But if healing is delayed and wound becomes chronic with excessive exudate then this could result in an infection. User can use super-absorbent alginate dressings which are useful under such circumstances.
If the wound is sloughy with soft necrotic tissues, excess dead then high gelling Kaltostat, Tegaderm and Sorbalgon alginate dressings are key.
The gel-like consistency is formed when the dressing absorbs exudate to provide a moist wound healing environment with easy removal. Wounds with a deep cavity require alginate dressings in the form of a rope or ribbon. The dressing is packed into the wound ensuring all areas are covered. Flat pads or sheets are used for wounds which are superficial and have heavy exudates, such as leg ulcers.
All our alginate wound dressings are high quality and from leading manufacturers like Medline, 3M, Hollister, Smith & Nephew and ConvaTec. Top alginate dressing brands are featured here like Maxorb, Tegaderm and Biatain.
