Alginates
Alginate dressings produced from seaweed, absorb exudate and help to stop bleeding. They absorb exudate away from the wound whilst maintaining an ideal moist wound healing environment.
Our alginate dressings are available in a variety of formulations that include:
High Gelling Alginates – these produce a thick, fibrous amorphous gel that locks away exudate.
Highly Integral Alginates – these absorb the wound exudate into the dressing. These dressings have a high wet strength and remain integral when wet.
Silver Alginates – Silver is a board spectrum antimicrobial that is effective against a wide range of micro organisms, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We have a range of different silver technologies that are incorporated into our alginate dressings that help to kill and prevent infection.
How do Alginate Dressings Work?
The moist wound environment facilitated by alginates promotes debridement of devitalised tissue, thereby assisting in wound bed preparation. The alginate fibres form a gel when in contact with exudate, and help to support the control of minor bleeding.
How do Silver Alginate Dressings Work?
Silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent that is bio-compatible and is effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our silver alginate dressings have all the benefits of our alginate dressings with the addition of antimicrobial benefits.
Features and Benefits of our Alginate Dressings
Claims for a Calcium Alginate Dressing:
| Feature | Benefit |
| Manages higher levels of exudate (absorbency) |
Longer wear time Reduces the risk of maceration |
| Maintains a moist wound healing environment | Faster wound healing |
| High wet strength |
Intact removal Minimal residues in the wound bed |
| Non-adherent | Less trauma on removal |
| Retains exudate | Reduced risk of maceration |
Additional Antimicrobial Claims:
| Feature | Benefit |
| Sustained antimicrobial protection | Up to 14 days antimicrobial efficacy |
| Broad spectrum antimicrobial action |
Effective against a wide range of micro-organisms and antibiotic resistant bacteria Reduces bio-burden |
What Types of Wounds are Alginates Suitable for?
- moderate to heavily exuding sloughy wounds with or without infection
- pressure ulcers and cavity wounds with large volumes of exudate
(unsuitable for dry, hard necrotic wounds)
We manufacture alginate dressings in sheets or pads, rope or ribbons for cavity wounds, as well as roll stock.
