Alginates
Authors: Christian Kaare Paaskesen, Med. Stud., Hasan Gökcer Tekin, MD
Wound bed assessment
- Cavity wounds
- Sloughy wounds
Moisture assessment
- Wet wounds
Contra-indications
- Dry wounds
- Clean wounds
Advantages
Alginates are very absorbent and do not adhere to the wound bed. When alginates absorb exudate, it transforms to a gel and creates a moist environment for optimal healing in wounds that are highly exudative.
Disadvantages
Needs to be covered by a secondary dressing to transport the excessive exudate away from the wound bed. If used on infected wounds, an occlusive dressing should NOT be used as a secondary layer.
Available products:
- Biatain Alginat
- Kaltostat
- Kliniderm Alginate
- Nobaalgin
- Suprasorb A
- Tegaderm Alginat
Product example:
