Allevyn Ag Heel

Non-Adhesive Polyurethane Foam Dressing

Non-adhesive sterile dressing in hydrocellular polyurethane foam with silver sulphadiazine shaped for the heel.

Among the sites most at risk of developing pressure injuries, after the sacrum, the heel area is the one at highest risk 1. The Allevyn Ag Heel dressing is designed to safely manage exuding wounds in the area of the heel, or similar, which also require control of the bacterial load to prevent both exudate and bacterial load from hindering the regular healing process. Allevyn Ag Heel in fact optimizes the wound environment, allowing: a faster healing, a reduction of the risk of maceration and a control of the bacterial load.

Indication

Second intention treatment of chronic and acute partial thickness, total or superficial, granulating and exuding wounds in the heel area, such as: pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, burns, skin sampling sites, pathologically hyperproliferative neoplastic ulcers, tumor lesions, surgical dehiscences. Allevyn ag Heel can be used on infected wounds. In this case the wound should be treated according to the locally in force clinical protocol.

Advantages of the foam dressing
The peculiar structure of Allevyn Ag Heel allows to manage exuding lesions in maximum safety, allowing a stay in place up to 7 days (compatibly with the conditions of the wound and the clinical protocols in use), and guaranteeing antibacterial coverage during the 7 days effective.
Furthermore, the structure of ALLEVYN offers a remarkable pressure relief, which together with the softness guarantees the protection of the wound and the comfort of the patient. Its unmatched ability to handle the humid environment comes from the combination of several properties:

Transpiration
The dynamic breathability of the outer layer allows excess moisture to evaporate and this evaporation is higher the higher the moisture in the foam. In this way the saturation times of the foam are lengthened, reducing the risks of maceration.
Barrier function
The outer layer acts as a barrier to external contaminants while preventing them from escaping. the result of this is protection from cross-contamination, infection, maceration.
Absorption
Allevyn Ag Heel has a much higher absorption capacity than hydrocolloids, alginates and hydro-fiber. Its hydrocellular technology allows to exploit the synergy between two distinct absorption mechanisms: capillary absorption and cellular / molecular absorption. both mechanisms, aided in the activation by the polyethylene glycol (PeG) disseminated in the foam, help to absorb the exudate by removing it vertically and then laterally.
Atraumatic
The perforated contact layer avoids any entrapment of the wound tissue in the dressing. This function allows to obtain an atraumatic dressing removal without damage to the newly formed tissue.
Soft and comfortable texture
The unique hydrocellular structure of Allevyn Ag Heel contributes to pressure relief which, together with the softness of the foam, guarantees mechanical protection against injury and patient comfort.
Anatomical conformation
The shape of the heel makes dressing difficult, increasing the risk of early detachment and contamination. The anatomical shape of Allevyn Ag Heel allows you to extend the stay in the dressing site, safeguarding its safe use. It also facilitates dressing changes by making them easier and faster.

Advantages of Allevyn ag adhesive silver
Formulation
The silver contained in the dressing is in the form of silver sulphadiazine (SSd). The properties of SSd have been known for decades and its clinical efficacy makes it the gold standard among silver-based products. The SSd molecules are distributed in the hydrocellular foam structure: contact with the absorbed exudate triggers the release of the silver ion which exerts its antibacterial action in the dressing and on the bottom of the wound.
Antibacterial activity
The silver contained in Allevyn Ag Heel has demonstrated in vitro a bactericidal action (reduction greater than 3 log10) against a broad spectrum of typical wound pathogens including Gram +, Gram- and antibiotic resistant bacteria and against fungi and yeasts 3.

Allevyn ag Heel has been shown in vitro to release bactericidal concentrations of ag + ranging from 45 to 79 ppm in a representative exudate complex serum for 7 days 4.

The use of Allevyn Heel

Application
Prepare the wound according to the protocol in use. apply the dressing with the white part on the wound and fix it with the most suitable system of choice (for example OPSITE FLEXIFIX). Allevyn Ag Heel can be used under an elastic compression bandage (e.g. PROFORE).

Removal
With the aid of tweezers, with sterile technique, gently remove the dressing from the lesion.

Allevyn Heel ingredients

Structure of the Allevyn Ag Heel dressing consists of:
An external layer in polyurethane film, impermeable to liquids and bacteria, with dynamic transpiration, capable of creating a barrier that cannot be penetrated from the outside but with variable transpiration based on the humidity conditions of the wound.
A soft and absorbent intermediate layer in polyurethane foam with hydrocellular technology, with internal dissemination of silver sulfadiazine particles.
A perforated wound contact layer of polyurethane film that is not adherent to the wound bed.

Allevyn Heel Side Effects

Contraindications
Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to silver sulphadiazine or to sulfonamides. Sulfonamides are known to cause kernicterus (pathological neonatal jaundice), so aLLeVYN ag Heel should not be used on pregnant or lactating women, premature babies or newborns during the first months of life.

Caution

Precautions for use
Do not use oxidizing agents such as hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide solutions which could damage the foam structure. In case of skin redness or sensitization, discontinue treatment. Allevyn ag Heel may not be compatible with other topical antimicrobials. avoid contact with electrodes and conductive gels during eeG or ecG. Allevyn ag Heel is not compatible with fat-based products. Allevyn ag Heel is not suitable as a primary dressing for cavity wounds; in this case use it as a secondary dressing. like all products based on silver sulfadiazine, for the presence of sulfonamide apply the following precautions: use caution for patients with liver or kidney problems and with glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.