The Complete Guide to Calcium Alginate Wound Dressings for Faster Healing
Calcium alginate is a big part of modern wound care, especially in the case of chronic wounds or those with high levels of exudation. These include pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and surgical wounds.
For any healthcare professional in the 21st century, it is extremely vital to understand the features, benefits, and the proper way to use calcium alginate dressings, especially because they can significantly improve wound healing outcomes.
The following sections provide an in-depth overview of calcium alginate dressings, their role in wound care, and the best way to use them for great results.
What Are Calcium Alginate Dressings?
Made from natural fibers extracted out of brown seaweed, calcium alginate dressings are applied onto the wound to create a gel-like consistency as soon as they come into contact with the wound exudate.
Alginate is the primary compound of the dressings. It is a polysaccharide which, when combined with calcium, results in a softer, more absorbent material. This eventually helps manage and control excessive wound fluid.
How Calcium Alginate Dressings Work
Calcium alginate dressings are known for absorbing large amounts of exudate and turning them into a kind of gel. This is a mechanism which is unique to the calcium alginate and is in fact one of the main reasons people use it.
As the dressing is applied it interacts with the moisture inside the wound bed. The calcium ions from the dressing bind with the sodium in the wound fluid. That results in the alginate fibers forming a gel-like consistency.
Research published by NCBI has stated that “Calcium alginate is known to speed up the process of wound healing by improving type 1 collagen synthesis and increasing the ratio of collagen I/III in diabetic rats.” This leads to multiple benefits which include;
- Absorption of Excess Moisture: These dressings can absorb several times their own weight in wound exudate, helping to manage drainage, reducing risk of infection, preventing maceration (softening and breaking down of skin).
- Autolytic Debridement: As the wound stays moist, it supports the body’s natural wound cleaning process, also known as autolytic debridement. This is whereby dead tissue is broken down and discarded by the body. For this to occur, a moist wound bed is a requirement. That’s what promotes cell migration and tissue regeneration.
- Pain Management: The gel forming ability of the dressing aids the easy removal of necrotic tissue and slough. This process, if done manually, can be immensely painful and invasive. The self-debridement mechanism reduces the discomfort to a large extent.
- Barriers to Infection: Calcium alginate dressings are antimicrobial which means they are designed to provide an additional layer of protection against different kinds of bacteria, preventing the wound from worsening in condition.
- Ease of Use: A Calcium alginate wound dressing is quite flexible and easy to use since it perfectly conforms to the wound bed. During application, the risk of damage to the tissue around the wound is minimized which is great for chronic wound patients that require frequent dressing changes.
- Antimicrobial Properties: Many calcium alginate dressings include additional antimicrobial agents such as silver. This reduces bacterial growth at a much faster rate than other dressing alternatives. It’s a great option for patients suffering from compromised immune systems.
Indications for Use
Calcium alginate dressings aren’t just for any kind of wound. They are best suited for wounds with moderate to heavy exudate, which need a level of moisture control and absorption which is vital for the healing process. Look out for;
- Chronic Wounds: Including, but not limited to, venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. These tend to produce significant exudate and require regular dressings which keep the site sufficiently moist.
- Surgical Wounds: Post-operative wounds benefit the most from calcium alginate’s highly absorbent features as well as its ability to, yet again, provide consistent moisture to the site.
- Traumatic Wounds: Yet again, this is an instance where excessive exudate can lead to complications, and where alginate can show its powerful benefits.
- Burns and Skin Grafts: For wounds with moderate fluid production that don’t react well with other kinds of dressings, calcium alginate is a great alternative as it provides gentle debridement and moisture retention.
The Usage of Calcium Alginate Dressings: Best Practice
Be careful when using the dressing and carefully gauge whether the wound bed is clean of any debris, dead tissue, or exudate. This can be done through sterile saline solutions or a non-toxic wound cleaner. Avoid harsh antiseptics.
Since the dressings come in a variety of forms (sheets, ropes, ribbons) select a type that is suitable for the wound’s size, depth, and shape. Make sure your dressing is large enough to cover the wound bed, but not larger than the wound itself because that might not fit the wound’s contours that well. Don’t forget to change the dressing every 1-3 days depending on the requirements of the wound and observe the site for signs of infection.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to manage a wide variety of exudative wounds, Calcium alginate wound dressings are your best option. However, don’t forget to ask your doctor for advice and visit the ER if the wound shows signs of infection!