Silver Technology
The history of silver
Down through history, silver has been used
for treating a variety of diseases, mostly infections. Even in ancient Greece and Rome
it has been used to disinfect water and food, but also for the treatment of
burns and wounds as a wound dressing. Silver solutions were approved in the
1920s by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as antibacterial agents.
Today, silver-containing wound dressings are well established for clinical wound
care.
The advantages of silver as an antiseptic
In comparison to other antiseptics, silver has its advantage in being effective on a broad range of germs even in small concentrations and over a long period of time, and this being non-toxic at the same time.
well-established efficacy
proven broad-spectrum antiseptic effect
pro-healing effect
grants excellent skin compatibility
skin friendly
Silver for wound care – the antiseptic action
Silver ions are highly active and penetrate bacterial membranes rapidly. They interact with enzymes and other proteins in bacteria, causing cellular distortion and loss of viability. Furthermore silver ions interact with the bacterial cell wall and bind to bacterial DNA and RNA causing an inhibition of bacterial replication. Clinical studies clearly demonstrate that silver provides a significant inhibition of a wide range of germs.
Silver Technology for dry wound healing
Objective of traditional wound care with standard plasters or gauze compresses is to cover and protect the wound, absorb excess exudates and keep the wound dry. An essential feature of dry healing is that all repair and regenerative processes occur under a protective scab. This firm crust of coagulated blood is the body’s own wound dressing to protect it against external influences.
Hansaplast med products with Silver technology for dry wound healing contain antiseptic effective silver to be released as soon as the metalline silver ions come into contact with the wound. Next to their antiseptic effect, the wound pad has an additional benefit: the polyethylene-net prevents the plaster from sticking to the wound when changing the plaster.
Silver Technology for moist wound healing
In 1962, the idea of 'moist wound healing' was born: the British scientist George D. Winter published his findings on wound healing under dry and moist conditions. He had discovered that epithelization would proceed more than two times faster in a moist environment than under a scab. Today the `principal of moist healing´ is widely accepted in the professional field, where many products exist that have been developed for chronic wound healing via moist wound therapy. It is widely accepted that wound healing under moist conditions results in faster healing, less scarring and better cosmetic effects.
Hansaplast med Fast Healing with Silver Technology combines the benefits of moist wound healing and antiseptic effects into one product. Silver ions are bound to a glass type carrier structure incorporated in a polyurethane matrix. Upon contact with the wound exudate the non-metallic silver ions are released and migrate into the wound.
Risk factors for wound infection and impaired wound healing
Even minor everyday wounds can be
infected. Several factors influence wound healing and infection rates.
Among them are type and amount of bacteria as well as type and location of the
wound. Other important factors are increasing age, underlying diseases e.g. reduced vacular supply and diabetes mellitus or drug treatments e.g. steroids.