What are silver impregnated dressings?
What are silver impregnated dressings?
Silver dressings are topical wound care products derived from ionic silver. These products release a steady amount of silver to the wound and provide antimicrobial or antibacterial action. The silver is activated from the dressing to the wound’s surface based on the amount of exudate and bacteria in the wound.
Why is silver used in wound dressings?
Cantor notes ionic silver, which is a key ingredient in modern wound dressings, promotes healing by facilitating the following: • decrease of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity; • blocking of the respiratory cycle of bacterial cell wall membrane; • decrease of excessive neutrophil response; • regulation of …
When should you not use silver dressing?
If the signs and symptoms of wound infection are no longer present, the silver dressing should be discontinued (International Consensus Group, 2012). If there is no improvement, the silver dressing should be discontinued and the treatment regimen reassessed (International Consensus Group, 2012).
When to use silver and iodine wound dressings?
Presently there is a myriad of options available like the moisture-retentive films, hydrocolloids, foams, alginates, and antimicrobial dressings like the impregnated silver and iodine (8) for wound healing. The use of a topical antimicrobial agent is clinically indicated when a wound is regarded as critically colonized (9).
When to use silver or honey impregnated dressings?
Silver is usually paired with alginate or foam dressings to improve the bacteria-fighting capabilities of the dressings. Also, silver proves to be a healthier option as compared to other chemical agents because it produces fewer toxic metabolites. Honey impregnated dressing is used to treat abrasions, cuts and many other injuries.
What can impregnated dressings do for a wound?
Petrolatum dressing helps in packing the full thickness wounds without adhering to the wound bed. It provides a moist wound environment conducive to healing. Hydrogel impregnated dressing helps in rehydrating sloughy or necrotic tissue.
What are the different types of impregnated dressings?
Impregnated Dressings. Impregnated dressings are sponges, gauzes, strips and ropes saturated with special chemical agents to promote wound healing. Most commonly used agents include silver, honey, petrolatum, iodine and hydrogel. Impregnated gauze dressings are usually non-adherent and need a secondary dressing to cover themselves.