| Product Name: | Allevyn Adhesive |
| Classification Name: | Hydrophilic adhesive polyurethane foam dressing |
| Manufacturer: | Smith & Nephew Healthcare Ltd |
Allevyn Adhesive consists of a layer of soft hydrophilic polyurethane foam, about four millimetres thick, sandwiched between a pink semi-permeable polyurethane film and a perforated polymeric wound contact layer. This inner layer is coated with a hypo-allergenic acrylic adhesive which breaks down in the presence of moisture ensuring that the dressing does not stick to the wound surface. The edges of the pad taper to a very thin profile which help to prevent it from becoming caught on clothing or bed linen, and the adhesive provides secure fixation of the dressing to the skin around the wound.
Although the outer film is permeable to moisture vapour, it provides an effective barrier to water or wound exudate and also prevents the passage of microorganisms through the back of the dressing. When applied to an exuding wound, the dressing absorbs excess fluid, but as exudate production decreases, the film backing regulates the evaporative loss of moisture and stops the dressing from drying out completely. In this way the dressing maintains the wound in a moist condition and thus provides a micro-environment that is conducive to healing.
Allevyn Adhesive may be applied to a variety of exuding wounds of limited depth, including shallow ulcers of varying aetiology, surgical wounds, minor burns, and donor sites once haemostasis has been achieved.
No absolute contra-indications to the use of Allevyn Adhesive have been reported, but the dressing will be of limited value if applied to dry wounds such as those covered with a scab or hard black necrotic tissue. Before application of the dressing this should be removed, either surgically, or by some other means.
An appropriately sized dressing is chosen that will overlap the edges of the wound by 2-3 cm, although Allevyn Adhesive may be cut with a pair of sterile scissors if required. After cleansing the wound in accordance with normal practice, the dressing is applied to the wound and gently smoothed into place.
The frequency with which Allevyn Adhesive should be changed depends upon the nature of the wound and the amount of exudate produced. On a clean non-infected wound, it may be left in position for up to seven days, but more frequent changes will be required on infected or heavily exuding wounds.
Allevyn Adhesive is presented in a paper peel pouch, sterilised by irradiation. The dressing is available in the form of square or rectangular pads for routine use, but specially shaped versions are available for dressing the sacral region.
7.5cm x 7.5cm*
10cm x 10cm*
12.5cm x 12.5cm*
17.5cm x 17.5cm*
22.5cm x 22.5cm*
12.5cm x 22.5cm*
17cm x 17cm* (Sacral Dressing)
22cm x 22cm* (Sacral Dressing)
*Available on Drug Tariff
1. Williams C, and Young T. Allevyn Adhesive
British Journal of Nursing, 1996, 5, 691-693
| Revision Author | Dr S. Thomas |
| Revision No | 1.8 |
| Revision date | 2003/12/18 |
This datacard has been prepared from data provided by the manufacturer and/or from published literature.
