Best Silver Dressings for Wound Infections in 2022
Updated: December 16, 2021
There are many different types of silver dressings for sale from wound care manufacturers. Adding silver ions to a dressing pad is a very common application, similar to adding nitrate gels, sulfadiazine (SSD) creams, and sodium zirconium phosphate. Each of these add-on substances targets bacteria in wound infections. Silver ions provide a slow release of silver dependent upon the flow of exudate from the wound. Silver nitrates added to gels help to cleanse wounds. Silver sulfadiazine added to creams helps to treat burns and infections. The silver is spread on the skin or wound surface to clean and remove dead tissue. Silver sodium zirconium phosphate (SPF) is a sheet-like crystal additive to wound dressings used in the early stages of wound management to kill bacteria. SPF dressings significantly improve wound healing.1
Types of Silver Dressings
Wound care manufacturers also add additional functions and benefits to Silver Dressings. These additional functions include easy application, sustained silver dispersal, less frequent dressing changes, exudate absorption, maintenance of a moist wound environment, and autolytic debridement. Manufacturers also add additional benefits to silver dressings by compounding with other elements like alginate, calcium, carboxymethylcellulose, charcoal, collagen, hydrocolloid, hydrogel, or sulfate to bring additional properties like more absorption, odor control, re-epithelialization, granulation, and pain reduction.
Below is a list of elements commonly added to silver dressings to form a compound dressing to append additional benefits to wound healing. This list identifies what the added element is and the benefits it provides.
Table of Silver Compound Dressings
| Alginate | Calcium | Carboxymethyl (CMC) |
Charcoal | Collagen | Hydrocolloid | Hydrogel | Sulfate |
| natural fibers derived from seaweed | ionized calcium salts | water-soluble cellulose | activated charcoal layer | derived from bovine, equine, porcine or avian | inner layer of absorption particles and outer layer of film/foam forms a seal | water in a gel base | ion salt with detergent and absorption characteristics |
| re-epithelialialization | central regulator | moist environment | odor management | cell migration | moist environment | monitors fluid exchange | accelerates wound healing |
| grandulation | modulates keratinocytes | extracellular matrix formation | absorbs bacteria | stimulates fibroblasts | insulates | debridement | stimulates keratinocytes |
| triggers immune response | re-epithelialialization | localizes toxins | stimulates keratinocytes | infection protection | moist environment | keratinocyte migration | |
| faster healing | water-soluble cellulose | pain reduction | debridement | wound protection | infection protection | stimulates fibroblasts | |
| epidermal cell migration | high absorption | promotes healing | surfactant | ||||
| promotes cell regeneration | tissue growth |
Top 8 Silver Dressing Manufacturers/Brands
- Molnlycle
- Convatec
- Smith & Nephew
- Coloplast
- Hollister
- Medline
- Silvstat
- Dermacol
How to Select the Best Silver Dressing
The actual needs of the patient are the most important selection criteria for choosing a silver dressing. There are numerous medical studies about silver dressing selection. Below are some noteworthy quotes from some of these studies.
When selecting a dressing containing silver, wound care goals are much the same as when not using a silver dressing: obtain and maintain a clean wound bed, absorb excess exudate, and provide moisture if the wound is dry, while also filling, covering, and protecting the wound. The silver difference is bioburden management.2
Silver remains a reasonable addition to the armamentarium against infection and has relatively few side effects. However, one should weigh the benefits of silver-containing products against the known side effects and the other options available for the intended purpose when selecting the most appropriate therapy.3
As wounds heal, the ideal dressing type may change, depending on the amount of exudate and depth of the wound; thus success in wound dressing selection hinges on recognition of the changing healing environment.... 4 [R]egular wound assessment combined with knowledge of basic wound dressing categories will provide guidance on product selection for different clinical situations and wound types.5
When selecting a dressing containing silver, wound care goals are much the same as when not using a silver dressing: obtain and maintain a clean wound bed, absorb excess exudate, and provide moisture if the wound is dry, while also filling, covering, and protecting the wound. The silver difference is bioburden management.6
List of the Top 10 Silver Dressings for 2022
- Medline Silvasorb Gel
- Molnlycke Mepilex Ag
- Acticoat Flex
- Aquacel Ag
- Silverlon Calcium Alginate
- Silvercel Alginate Dressing
- Coloplast Interdry
- Polymem Silver
- Medline Maxorb Ag
Top Ten Silver Dressings Review
#1 Silversorb Gel
Silvasorb Gel by Medline comes in various tube sizes to reduce microbial contamination. It stops the growth of fungus and bacteria, creating optimal wound-healing conditions. Its use reduces the risk of infection by featuring MicroLattice particles of ionic silver. This wound dressing works well with burns, surgical wounds, diabetic ulcers, leg pressure ulcers, and partial and full-thickness wounds. The formula is non-stinging and it helps maintain a moist wound environment for healing.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: MSC9301EP, MSC93025EP, MSC9303EP, MSC9308EP
- Sizes: 0.25 oz, 1.5 oz, 3 oz, and 8 oz
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: Medline
- Brand: SilvaSorb
#2 Molnlycke Mepilex Ag
Mepilex Ag from Molnlycke is a foam absorption pad. It absorbs exudate and maintains a moist wound. The dressing contains a layer that seals the wound edges to keep exudate from leaking into the surrounding skin. It has a sustained antimicrobial activity for up to seven days. Mepilex Ag bandage may be cut to fit the wound size. It works well for medium wounds, pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, and exuding burns. Mepilex Ag is also available in the following:
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 287090, 287100, 287200, 287300, 287400, 287500
- Sizes: 4 x 4, 4 x 8, 6 x 6, 8 x 8, 8 x 20 Inch
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: Molnlycke
- Brand: Mepilex Ag
#3 Acticoat Flex
Acticoat Flex is a silver coated dressing available in two formats--Flex 3 and Flex 7. The Acticoat Flex 3 serves an infected wound bed for three days while the Acticoat Flex 7 lasts for up to 7 days before requiring a change. They form an antimicrobial barrier to allow the wound to heal faster. They also decrease odor-causing bacteria.
"Acticoat is one of the best sheet-like silver dressings, which when moistened with sterile water, releases silver ions onto the wound surface, destroying within 30 minutes both Gram-positive and negative bacteria as well as Vancomycin-resistant enterococci and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus. 'If re-moistened, Acticoat produces a controlled release of clusters of silver cations onto the wound, for up to 3 days (if using Acticoat™) or 7 days (if using Acticoat 7)'.7
Acticoat has been shown to shorten in-patient stays compared to patients treated with SSD. The resulting decrease in bedtime and subsequently nursing time in this study means that Acticoat has been demonstrated to lower overall treatment costs compared to silver sulfadiazine in the high-cost burns arena.8
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 66800403, 66800405, 66800427, 66800406, 66800418, 66800402, 66800417, 66800433, 66800434, 66800408
- Sizes: 2 x 2, 4 x 4, 4 x 5, 4 x 8, 6 x 6, 8 x 16, 16 x 16 Inch
- Active Ingredient: SILCRYST nanocrystalline Silver.
- HCPCS Codes: A6206, A6207, A6208
- Manufacturer: Smith & Nephew
- Brand: Acticoat Flex
#4 ConvaTec Aquacel Ag Foam Wound Dressing
Aquacel Ag is available in many different options from Hydrofiber ribbons to rectangular dressing pads to border dressings. These dressings use ionic silver to reduce bacteria growth and promote faster wound healing by providing a moist wound environment. The top layer of the bandage is waterproof, allowing the user to shower and bathe. These bandages are available in adhesive and non-adhesive options and in squares, rectangles, heel, and sacral shapes. The foam pad protects the wound from minor bumps and is absorbent.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 420627, 420628, 420639, 420642, 420645, 420646, 420647, 420648, 420681, 420805, 420806, 420807, 420827
- Sizes: 2 x 2, 3.25 x 3.25, 4 x 4, 6 x 6, 5.5 x 8, 6 x 8, 10 x 12 Inch and other sizes
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: ConvaTec
- Brand: Aquacel Ag
#5 Silverlon
Silverlon Calcium Alginate Dressing is manufactured by Cardinal Health and is a combination dressing employing silver and calcium alginate to heal wounds and treat infections. It offers a barrier to microbial contaminants and serves moderate to heavy exudating partial and full thickness wounds. Silverlon is appropriate for pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, and 1st and 2nd degree burns. The design of this bandage is for professional use.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: CA-7512
- Sizes: 3/4 x 12 Inch
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer/Brand: Silverlon
#6 Silvercel Alginate Dressing
Silvercel from 3M, formerly Systagenix, offers an antimicrobial barrier for up to seven days. This non-adherent bandage features a non-woven pad with alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, and nylon fibers coated in silver. The alginate manages wound exudate while the silver coating provides an antimicrobial agent to combat infections. It offers high absorbency and is bactericidal, sporicidal, virucidal, and fungicidal. The bandage contains gelling fiber to help manage chronic wounds.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 900112, 900202, 900404, 900408
- Sizes: 1 x 12 Rope, 2 x 2, 4.25 x 4.25, 4 x 8 Inch
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: 3M
- Brand: Silvercel
#6 Coloplast Interdry Moisture Wicking Fabric with Antimicrobial Silver
Interdry Ag is a Coloplast product designed for skin fold moisture management. It consists of a coated textile polyester surface that manages odor and inflammation for skin-to-skin contact areas. Interdry is a knitted polyester fabric impregnated with silver for antimicrobial properties. It offers treatment for denouement, erythema, maceration, inflammation, itching, and satellite lesions. This wicking bandage comes in a roll.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 7910, 7912
- Sizes: 10 x 36, 10 x 144 Inch
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: Coloplast
- Brand: Interdry Ag
#8 Polymem Silver
Polymem Silver, manufactured by Ferris, offers a wound contact dressing made with polyester fibers that are woven together to provide a membrane. This non-adhesive bandage is easy to apply and is absorbent and antimicrobial. It promotes healthy skin around the wound and keeps exudate from leaking around the wound. Its design help reduces swelling.
PolyMem Silver QuadraFoam dressings have been used to 1) help jump-start stalled wounds, 2) manage wounds in patients prone to infection, 3) and help manage infected wounds, 4) when the underlying cause of the infection was being addressed. QuadraFoam dressings contain and attract moisture by design so they can be used on dry wounds without the need to add water.9
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: 1044, 1077, 1124, 1402
- Sizes: 2.2 x 2.6, 4.25 x 4.25, 6.5 x 7.5, 4.5 x 12.5, Inch
- Active Ingredient: Ionic Silver
- Manufacturer: Ferris
- Brand: Polymem Silver
#9 Maxorb AG
Maxorb Extra AG is an antimicrobial wound dressing manufactured by Medline. It offers antimicrobial properties through ionic silver. Offering high absorbency Maxorb Ag is a good match for deep wound healing. The bandage provides controlled silver release that provides 21 days of wound protection. Designed with natural alginate fibers, Maxorb releases calcium salts that react with wound fluids to reduce the flow of bleeding and reduces odors.
Product Specifications
- Product Numbers: MSC9412, MSC9422, MCS9445, MSC9448
- Sizes: 1 x 12 Inch Rope, 2 x 2 Inch, 4 x 4-3/4 Inch, 4 x 8 Inch
- Active Ingredient: Alginate and Silver
- Manufacturer: Medline
- Brand: SilvaSorb
Footnotes
- 1 Kelleher, Maureen E., et al. "Use of silver sodium zirconium phosphate polyurethane foam wound dressing on wounds of the distal forelimb." Proceedings of the 59th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 7-11 December 2013. American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), 2013. page 1.
- 2 Hermans, Michel. "What you need to know about silver dressings." Ostomy Wound Manage 54.6, 2008. page 10.
- 3 Politano, Amani D., et al. "Use of silver in the prevention and treatment of infections: silver review." Surgical infections 14.1 (2013): 8-20.
- 4 Broussard, Karen C., and Jennifer Gloeckner Powers. "Wound dressings: selecting the most appropriate type." American journal of clinical dermatology 14.6 (2013): 449-459.
- 5 Vowden, Kathryn, and Peter Vowden. "Wound dressings: principles and practice." Surgery (Oxford) 35.9 (2017): 489-494.
- 6 Hermans, page 10.
- 7 Munteanu, A., I. P. Florescu, and C. Nitescu. "A modern method of treatment: The role of silver dressings in promoting healing and preventing pathological scarring in patients with burn wounds." Journal of medicine and life 9.3, 2016. page 312.
- 8 Munteanu, page 313.
- 9 Hermans, page 10.
Medical Studies and Reports
-
Leaper, David. "Appropriate use of silver dressings in wounds: international consensus document." International wound journal 9.5 (2012): 461-464. - Bishop, Alexandra J., Alexandra J. Bishop is Tissue, and D. D. R. C. Viability Nurse Specialist. "Using antimicrobial dressings to treat infected wounds." The Diabetic Foot Journal 21.3 (2018): 168-71.
-
Böttrich, J. G., et al. "Best practice recommendations for silver wound dressings: Results of an expert survey aiming to reach a consensus." Wound Medicine 27.1 (2019): 100167. - Yang, Yadie, and Hong Hu. "A review on antimicrobial silver absorbent wound dressings applied to exuding wounds." J. Microb. Biochem. Technol 7 (2015): 228-233.
- Adis Medical Writers dtp@ adis. com. "Select appropriate wound dressings by matching the properties of the dressing to the type of wound." Drugs & Therapy Perspectives 30 (2014): 213-217.
- Lindberg, Terese, et al. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of dressings used for wound healing: the efficiency of honey compared to silver on burns." Contemporary nurse 51.2-3 (2015): 121-134.
- Fujiwara, Toshihiro, Ko Hosokawa, and Tateki Kubo. "Comparative study of antibacterial effects and bacterial retentivity of wound dressings." Eplasty 13 (2013).
- Fletcher, Jacqui. "Antimicrobial dressings in wound care." Nurse Prescribing 4.8 (2006): 320-326.
- Michaels, J. A., et al. "A prospective randomized controlled trial and economic modeling of antimicrobial silver dressings versus non-adherent control dressings for venous leg ulcers: the VULCAN trial." Health Technol Assess 13.56 (2009): 1-114.
- Toy, Lily W., and Liz Macera. "Evidence‐based review of silver dressing use on chronic wounds." Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 23.4 (2011): 183-192.
- White, Richard, and Keith Cutting. "Exploring the effects of silver in wound management-What is optimal?." Wounds 18.11 (2006): 307.
- Carter, Marissa J., Kimberly Tingley-Kelley, and Robert A. Warriner III. "Silver treatments and silver-impregnated dressings for the healing of leg wounds and ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 63.4 (2010): 668-679.
Burt Cancaster, Author
Vitality Medical
7910 South 3500 East, Suite C
Salt Lake City,
UT
84121
(801) 733-4449
[email protected]
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