Non-woven or fibrous, non-occlusive, alginate dressings, made from calcium alginate, or calcium sodium alginates, derived from brown seaweed, form a soft gel in contact with wound exudates.

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. 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 should not be used if bleeding is heavy and extreme caution is needed if used for tumours with friable tissue.

Alginate sheets are suitable for use as a wound contact dressing for moderately to heavily exuding wounds and can be layered into deep wounds; alginate rope can be used in sinus and cavity wounds to improve absorption of exudates and prevent maceration. If the dressing does not have an adhesive border or integral adhesive plastic film backing, a secondary dressing will be required.

A secondary dressing is required for Sorbsan and Kaltostat. As the amount of exudate decreases, a semi-permeable film should be considered as this will conserve moisture and prevent the dressing from drying out. The alginate should not be left in situ for longer than 7 days.

ActivHeal Alginate

(Soft, conformable, highly absorbent calcium sodium alginate dressing)

• 5 x 5cm (£0.60), 10 x 10cm (£1.17), 10 x 20cm (£2.87)

Indications

• For use in acute and chronic wounds with moderate to heavy exudate

Notes

1. Can be used to control minor bleeding in superficial wounds
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 3 days

ActivHeal Alginate Rope

(Soft, conformable, highly absorbent calcium sodium alginate dressing)

• Rope 2.5 x 30cm (£2.17)

Indications

• For use in acute and chronic cavity wounds with moderate to heavy exudate

Notes

1. Can be used to control minor bleeding in superficial wounds
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 3 days

Kaltostat

(Sterile non-woven calcium-sodium alginate fibre dressing)

• 5 x 5cm (£1.04), 7.5 x 12cm (£2.27), 10 x 20cm (£4.45), 15 x 25cm (£7.66)

Indications

• External wound dressing for the local wound management of exuding cavity wounds

Notes

1. Kaltostat is for use only when haemostasis is required
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Sorbsan Flat

(Sterile, non-woven, calcium alginate wound dressing)

• 5 x 5cm (£0.82), 10 x 10cm (£1.72), 10 x 20cm (£3.22)

Indications

• Management of moderately or heavily exuding wounds

Notes

1. Sorbsan Flat should be reserved for use in podiatry
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 3 days