What is Silver Wound Dressing?
Silver dressings contain antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the wound area. These are specially designed for infected wounds, burns, diabetic ulcers, surgical incision sites, and pressure ulcers. The dressings containing ionic silver help heal the wound faster than the dressings without ionic silver.
Silver dressings come in various forms, including silver alginate gels, foams, films, and fibers. At Shop Wound Care, we carry a wide range of Silver Wound Dressings from top-selling brands and manufacturers such as Medline, Smith & Nephew, Ferris Mfg, etc.
What are the Advantages?
- Provide a broad range of antimicrobial activity
- Reduce and prevent infection
- Promote wound healing
- Help skin repair itself
- Less frequent dressing changes
- Alter metalloproteinases within wounds
Disadvantages of Silver Dressings
- Cost
- Dries up easily
- Can be used only for up to 2 weeks
- May cause stinging or sensitization
How do silver wound dressings work?
The molecular make-up of silver is such that it breaks down bacteria and does not allow it to create chemical bonds and multiply. Using nano crystalline technology, silver is released into the wound through sustained delivery, thus eliminating any toxicity risks. The silver brings down or eliminates bioburden in burns and open wounds and acts as a barrier against resistant organisms such as MRSA.
Silver wound dressings are apt for the management of acute and chronic wounds and burns. Silver dressings are ideal for deep, highly exuding cavity wounds that are at risk of infection. On coming in contact with wound exudates, these dressings work with the wound fluid, triggering the release of activated silver ions for antibacterial action and to neutralize any toxins.
Wound dressings with silver reduce excess fluid at the wound site which is transpired away quickly.
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How to choose Silver Wound Dressing?
When choosing the silver wound dressing, the patient’s needs, the wound type, and the environment will have to be kept in mind. Which silver dressing to buy will depend on the following factors:
- Level of exudate produced
- Condition of the wound bed
- Patient’s level of tolerance for pain
- The need for a secondary dressing
Silver dressings for wounds provide sustained release of silver over several days. This reduces frequency of dressing change thus making these dressings cost effective. The
Medline Optifoam silver antimicrobial foam dressing can be left in place for up to a week and may be used as a primary or secondary dressing.
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How do you apply Silver Dressing for Wounds?
- Follow the normal wound cleaning protocol; do not use cleansing agents that are dependent on saline or oil.
- Remove the dressing from the package and cut to form.
- Use clean water to moisten the dressing (do not use saline).
- Enable the dressing to drain for at least two minutes in a sterile field on an absorbent surface.
- Apply the dressing, either side down, to the wound surface.
- Cover the dressing with an appropriate secondary dressing.
- Moisten or soak the dressing if the dressing dries and adheres to the wound.
- Avoid removing the dressing violently and damaging the healing wound.
When to use Silver Surgical Dressing?
- Diabetic ulcers
- Donor sites
- Pressure ulcers
- Venous ulcers /foot/ leg ulcers
- Partial-thickness burn /second-degree burn
- Surgical/post-operative wounds
- Superficial burn/first-degree burn
- Partial/full-thickness wounds
- Acute/traumatic wounds
- Laceration/abrasion
- Full-thickness burn/third-degree burn /graft wound
- Moderate-to-high exudate wounds
- Low-to-moderate exudate wound
- Arterial ulcers
- Superficial or low exudate wounds
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How often should silver dressings be changed?
Primarily, it is advised to use silver dressings for 2 weeks to determine the patient's and wound's effectiveness. Reassess the injury after 2 weeks. If signs of infection are still present, proceed and reassess every 2 weeks, record the result and the decision to continue. Consider an alternative antimicrobial dressing when the wound fails to make progress with a silver dressing. If the wound has improved and there are no signs of infection, discontinue the silver dressing and use a traditional dressing.
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Types of Silver Woundcare Dressings
There are a variety of silver wound dressings with a number of wound-friendly features. These include
anti-microbial silver dressings, absorbent silver dressings for wounds,
foam silver dressings, adherent silver wound dressings,
non-adherent silver dressings, silver dressings with alginate, hydrofiber silver dressings, hydrogel silver dressings, and more.
The Aquacel ribbon dressing from ConvaTec combines hydrofiber technology with ionic silver, which makes the dressing highly absorbent, along with favorable gelling characteristics and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
The Optifoam silver sacral foam dressing is conformable and can manage repeated bacteria introduction. Its waterproof outer layer protects wound and keeps bacteria out and moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) adjusts to fluid level. The Allevyn dressing from Smith & Nephew prevents healing tissue from growing into the dressing, thus reducing pain on removal and maintaining a moist wound interface. It promotes rapid wound closure, reduced risk of maceration and provides an effective barrier to bacteria penetration.
Health Products for You offers a huge range of antimicrobial silver alginate dressing that helps promote wound healing by generating and promoting a moist environment. These products are from top-selling manufacturers like Medline Industries, Ferris, Smith & Nephew, and many more.