Alginate Wound Dressing Definition

Alginate dressings have proven to be successful in cleansing a variety of secretions and their high absorbing power is due to the hydrophilic gel formation which subsequently minimizes the bacterial contamination of the wound.

Alginate wound dressing definition.

Alginate dressings can absorb up to 20 times their own weight for optimal wound healing. Alginate dressings maintain a physiologically moist microenvironment that promotes healing and the formation of granulation tissue. Steps in using alginate dressing. An alginate dressing is a wound dressing which contains alginate fibers derived from seaweed.

An alginate wound dressing contains sodium and calcium derived from seaweed and come in the form of flat dressings. These types of dressings are best used on wounds that have a large amount of exudate they may be used on full thickness burns surgical wounds split thickness graft donor sites mohs surgery defects refractory decubiti and. Alginate dressings consist of the soft non woven fibers of a cellulose like polysaccharide derived from the calcium salts of seaweed. An alginate dressing is a natural wound dressing derived from carbohydrate sources released by clinical bacterial species in the same manner as biofilm formation.

Alginate dressings are extremely lightweight absorb many times their own weight form a gel like covering over the wound and maintain a moist environment. This makes dressing changes virtually painless. As a highly absorbent wound care choice an individual alginate wound dressing can absorb up to 15 to 20 times its own weight which makes these dressings really work for excessively secreting wounds. Various types of wounds can affect bedridden patients those with diabetes or those with chronic venous insufficiency.

26 they are biodegradable hydrophilic non adherent and highly absorbent. Alginates can be rinsed away with saline irrigation so removal of the dressing does not interfere with healing granulation tissue. The alginate fibers are easily biodegradable and offer a moist environment that speeds up the healing process and helps with the formation of granulation tissue. In general using an alginate dressing is a straightforward process that follows the best practices of wound care.

These dressings are used in the management of wounds which are producing a great deal of exudate such as deep sores. Alginate dressings also act as a haemostatic but caution is needed because blood clots can cause the dressing to adhere to the wound surface. Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and suitable for use on exuding wounds and for the promotion of autolytic debridement of debris in very moist wounds. When the insoluble calcium alginate of this type of dressing comes into contact with wound exudate a soluble sodium salt is produced.

With infected wounds the wound bed should be inspected daily. Most of the time alginate dressings can be left unchanged for 5 7 days unless exudate capacity is reached.