A highly absorbent antimicrobial dressing with a gentle silicone adhesive, the ideal one step dressing for use on fragile skin.

ALLEVYN Ag dressings have been designed to combine the essential qualities of the ALLEVYN range with the added antimicrobial activity of silver. The unique tri-layer construction of the dressings enables optimal fluid handling to support moist wound healing. The dressings are comfortable for patients, conform to body contours and are easy to apply and remove.

The ALLEVYN Ag dressings are indicated for:

• Shallow, granulating wounds
• Chronic and acute exudative wounds
• Full and partial thickness wounds such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers
• Infected wounds
• Malignant wounds
• Surgically dehisced wounds
• First and second-degree burns
• Donor sites
• Fungating wounds

1. Cleanse the wound in accordance with local clinical protocol.

2. Select an appropriate dressing size. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border can be cut, to dress wounds on the heels, elbows, and other awkward areas. Always use a clean technique when cutting the dressing.

3. Prepare and clean the skin surrounding the wound area and remove excess moisture. Any excess hair should be clipped to ensure close approximation to the wound.

4. Using a clean technique remove one of the protector films from ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border and anchor the adhesive side of the dressing to the skin.

5. Remove the remaining protector film and smooth the dressing over the remainder of the wound without stretching, ensuring there are no creases. The pad area of the dressing must be adhered across the entire surface of the wound. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border can be lifted and repositioned without losing its adherent properties.

6. If the dressing has been cut ensure any exposed foam areas are covered with an appropriate film dressing taking care not to cover the entire dressing.

Frequency of Change:

During the early stages of wound management ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border should be inspected according to local clinical protocol. Where the product is used on infected wounds the infection should be inspected and treated as per local clinical protocol.

Dressings can be left in place, undisturbed, for up to 7 days, depending on the condition of the wound and the surrounding skin or until exudate is visible and approaches to within 2cm of the edge of the dressing pad, whichever is sooner.

If dressings are applied to the sacral area, they may be left in place for up to 5 days, however, due to the increased potential for contamination and infection in this area, increased monitoring of dressing adherence may be required as per local clinical protocols.

The decision of when to change should be dependent upon clinical assessment and local protocols should also be taken into consideration.

Dressing Removal:

To remove ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border, lift one edge of the dressing and slowly peel back until completely removed from the wound. Sacral dressings should be removed from the top.

Always read the label, use as directed.

Do not use on patients known to be hypersensitive to silver sulfadiazine or sulfonamides. As sulfonamides are known to cause kernicterus, ALEEVYN Ag Gentle Border should not be used on females who are at, or near-term pregnancy or lactating, on premature infants or newborn infants during the first month of life. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border is not compatible with oxidizing agents or hydrogen peroxide, as these can break down the absorbent polyurethane component of the dressing. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border dressings are not intended to provide treatment for infected wounds. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border may be used on infected wounds being managed in accordance with institutional clinical protocols for infection abatement as an adjunct to the standard treatment regimen to provide a barrier to bacterial penetration. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border may not be compatible with topical antimicrobials. If reddening or sensitisation occur discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional. Avoid contact with electrodes or conductive gels during electronic measurements e.g., EEG and ECG. When ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border is used on a patient during MRI examination some warming may be experienced. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border is not compatible with oil-based products such as petrolatum. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border is not suitable for use alone on cavity wounds but may be used over cavity wounds as a secondary dressing. As with all products containing silver sulfadiazine the following precautions should be noted, especially when covering a large surface area with the dressing: -Use caution in patients with significant hepatic or renal impairment, -Use caution in individuals known to have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, -Effects of systematically administered drugs may be altered. This can especially apply to oral hypoglycaemic agents and to phenytoin. In the case of these drugs, it is recommended that blood levels should be monitored as their effect can be potentiated. Opening the dressing pack compromises the sterile barrier therefore any unused dressing should not be retained for application later.