Made up of soft non-woven fibers that come from seaweed, alginates absorb wound drainage and convert it into a gel-like covering over the wound, creating a moist wound environment. A wide range of alginate products are available for a variety of wounds. Additives such as calcium and silver can be added to the dressing fibers to continue to promote a healing environment.
When to use Alginate
- Wounds with moderate to high amounts of wound drainage
- Packing wounds
- Pressure ulcers Stages III and IV
Advantages of Alginate
- Can absorb up to twenty times its weight in fluid
- Does not stick to wound
- Easy removal
- Reduces frequency of dressing changes
Disadvantages of Alginate
- Requires a secondary dressing to secure
- If wound has small amounts of fluids, it can cause the wound to dry out
- Distinctive odor during dressing changes