alginate dressing

Characteristics

• alginate is a naturally occurring polymer of seaweed
• a gel is formed when fibers interact with the wound fluid
• a pad or rope form
• absorbent

Indications

• wounds with moderate to heavy exudate
• partial or full-thickness wounds
• granular or necrotic wounds
• cavitary wounds
• post-operative wounds
• pressure ulcers
• venous ulcers
• diabetic ulcers
• arterial ulcers
• used as a filler with other dressings
• infected wounds if changed daily

Contraindications

• dry or low-exudating wounds
• not recommended for 3rd degree burns

Advantages

• autolysis
• conformable
• moist environment
• nonadherent
• hemostatic
• pain reduction
• decreased frequency of dressing changes
• absorbant, keeps surrounding skin dry
• may stay in place up to 7 days

Disadvantages

• requires secondary dressing
• may dry out & adhere to wound, requiring saline soak to remove

Notes

Helpful hints:

• for very high-draining wounds, cover with gauze or ABD pad & change when drainage strikes through to outside
• may cover with foam, hydrocolloid, or film, depending upon amount of exudate

Products:

• AlgiDERM
• Algisite
• CarraGinate
• Carrasorb H
• Comfeel Seasorb
• Curasorb
• Dermacea Alginate
• DermaStat
• FyBron
• Kalginate
• Kaltostat
• Megisorb
• Restore CalciCare
• Sorbsan
• Tegagen

More general terms

• wound dressing

More specific terms

• AlgiDERM
• Algisite
• CarraGinate
• Carrasorb H
• Comfeel Seasorb
• Curasorb
• Dermacea Alginate
• DermaStat
• FyBron
• Kalginate
• Kaltostat
• Melgisorb
• Restore CalciCare
• Sorbsan
• Tegagen

Additional terms

• alginate; alginic acid