SILVER HEALING
Elastoplast Silver Healing
IDEAL FOR: Cuts, abrasions and burns where the risk of infection is greater.

Kills harmful germs

SilverHealing contains metallic silver, with powerful natural antiseptic properties that kill harmful germs and reduce the risk of infection.

Hypoallergenic

SilverHealing is natural and skin friendly. Elastoplast SilverHealing plasters do not show any evidence of irritation or allergic contact sensitisation.

Optimal healing

The unique silver pad contains silver ions that are continually released during the healing process, fighting bacteria while your skin heals naturally.

SilverHealing plasters and dressings are available in various forms and sizes to perfectly fit a variety of cuts scrapes and abrasions. The SilverHealing range includes:

  • SilverHealing Fabric Assorted 20's
  • SilverHealing Plastic Assorted 20's
  • SilverHealing Fast Assorted 5's
  • SilverHealing Sensitive Dressing 5's
  • SilverHealing Aqua Protect Dressings 5's
  • SilverHealing Non-stick Dressings 5's

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ANTISEPTIC ACTION OF SILVER?

Silver as used in Elastoplast®plasters is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. These plasters contain silver ions in the wound pad.

HOW ARE SILVER IONS RELEASED IN THE ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING PLASTERS?

On coming into contact with moisture (such as wound exudate and blood), silver ions are slowly but continuously released from the wound pad, and migrate into the wound.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Silver ions are highly active and rapidly penetrate bacterial membranes. They interact with enzymes and other protein in bacteria, destroying the cell structure and preventing reproduction across a broad spectrum of bacteria.

WHAT DOES BROAD SPECTRUM MEAN?

Broad spectrum means that the microbial efficacy of silver is relevant for a wide range of germs. Clinical studies and different scientific reports clearly demonstrate that silver provides a significant inhibition of a wide range of germs: aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, various streptococci and fungi such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus.

DOES SILVER KILL GOOD BACTERIA AS WELL?

Yes, silver as a broad spectrum antiseptic agent kills nearly all bacteria. This however, has neither a negative effect on the wound-healing process, nor has it a negative effect on the general health situation of a person.

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE RELEASE OF SILVER-IONS WITH ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING WOUND TREATMENTS?

Silver ions are released over a minimum period of 24 hours.

WHAT IS THE SALT USED IN THE SILVER DRESSING?

The silver is not present as salt. It is present as metallic silver within the wound pad. On contact with wound moisture (such as wound exudate and blood), silver in ionic form (Ag+) is released.

DOES THE USE OF SILVER PRECIPITATE PROTEIN?

Silver can bind to proteins but this effect has been accounted for in all Elastoplast® SilverHealing products. The release of silver ions into the wound and wound exudate will remain at an antimicrobial efficacious level. In its intended use, the efficacy and safety of all products in the Elastoplast® SilverHealing range is not compromised through any silver binding to proteins. Any silver bound to proteins in wound sites can be expected to just slough away.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SILVER IN ELASTOPLAST SILVERHEALING AND SILVER NITRATE?

These two ingredients are not identical. Silver Nitrate is a highly concentrated solution which is increasingly no longer used in a therapeutic setting due to its known side effects. In contrast, Elastoplast® SilverHealing contains silver ions in a wound pad which are released in an effective dose over the duration of the application of the plaster.

IS SILVER USED IN HOSPITALS?

Yes. In the hospital environment there are numerous examples of silver dressings being used for wound management. These products are mainly used for the treatment of chronic wounds and severe burns.

IS ELASTOPLAST SILVERHEALING SUITABLE TO USE ON BURNS?

For everyday burns around the home Elastoplast® SilverHealing dressings can be used. However, if the burn is severe or you are not sure, you should see your doctor.

WHAT IS A WOUND INFECTION? WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF USING ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING WOUND PADS?

A wound infection caused by bacteria is where clinical signs of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling, pain) are observed. An infection only occurs when a critical amount of bacteria is exceeded in the wound. Up to 50% of all wounds may become infected, which negatively influences the healing process. Therefore, using Elastoplast® SilverHealing is recommended for even minor wounds in order to keep the amount of bacteria below the above mentioned critical level.

CAN ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING BE USED ON WOUNDS THAT ARE ALREADY INFECTED?

No. Wounds that are already infected should be treated by a medical professional.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT SHOULD NOT USE ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING PLASTERS AND DRESSINGS?

There are no specific population groups who are ineligible to use Elastoplast® SilverHealing. These product variants are suitable for all members of the population including children, diabetics, and the elderly.

IS ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHELAING TOXIC?

Due to the extremely low silver concentrations, the Elastoplast® SilverHealing range is non-toxic and silver ions are not absorbed by the body or bloodstream. Silver ions from Elastoplast® SilverHealing have no systemic effects upon the body.

WHAT INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR STANDARD WOUND CARE WITH ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING?

We recommend a regime not dissimilar to use of general plasters. These recommendations are:

  • Any wound that has been exposed to dirt should be thoroughly cleaned. This can be done with water or saline if it is available.
  • Disinfect the wound: With an ordinary plaster it is recommended to disinfect the wound prior to the application of the plaster. This can be done with common disinfecting agents such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or chlorhexidine. The advantage of Elastoplast® SilverHealing is that antiseptic creams and ointments are not needed, as the silver wound pad itself has a proven disinfecting property.
  • Apply the Elastoplast® SilverHealing plaster or dressing over the wound without stretching.
  • To always read the label and use only as directed. See your doctor if pain persists.

WHY DO WE SAY NOT TO USE CREAMS OR OINTMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH ELASTOPLAST®PLASTERS?

Creams and ointments create a layer between the wound pad and the wound. This layer acts like a barrier that prevents the silver ions from migrating into the wound. This reduces the action of the silver wound pad to the function of a standard plaster as the antiseptic process cannot take place.

WHY IS IT BETTER TO USE A SILVER WOUND CARE PRODUCT INSTEAD OF A WOUND ANTISEPTIC AND AN ORDINARY PLASTER?

Using an antiseptic has a one-off antiseptic effect on the wound. Any bacteria that have not been killed in the initial process can however continue to grow. The silver wound care-technology has a long lasting antiseptic effect that will prevent this growth of bacteria to help the wound heal optimally.

DOES ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING DRAW THE WOUND MORE THAN OTHER STRIPS?

Not particularly. The function of Elastoplast® SilverHealing is to provide an antiseptic effect within a plaster whilst specific wound strips have the function of drawing wounds together.

HOW DO THE "FAST" ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING PLASTERS WORK? WHY ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

The Elastoplast® SilverHealing Fast Plasters deliver the same antiseptic action as normal Elastoplast® SilverHealing plasters, except that they are additionally constructed from polyurethane gel technology which provides the ideal conditions for natural moist wound healing. This is because in a natural moist wound environment, cells can move and divide faster than under a scab (dry wound healing). The result is acceleration of the healing process and newly formed, high quality tissue, leading to faster healing and less chance of scarring.

WHAT IS SILVER ALLERGY?

Silver allergy or argyria is a condition upon which silver is deposited in the skin, manifested as slate-grey pigmentation. It is usually as a result of industrial exposure or following ingestion of silver salts. It is an extremely rare condition. Only a few recorded cases exists which were from people who were constantly exposed to silver - for example, from silversmiths or workers in silver mines or early photo laboratories.

CAN ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING CAUSE SILVER ALLERGY?

A study on 200 representative human volunteers were subject to a well known internationally recognised sensitivity test, known as the Human Repeat Insult Patch Test. This test showed that Elastoplast® SilverHealing plasters did not show any evidence of irritation or allergic contact sensitisation. Most people who believe they have a "silver allergy" are actually reacting to nickel, which is often contained in silver jewellery.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY ADVERSE REACTION REPORTS ON ELASTOPLAST® SILVERHEALING?

No adverse reactions directly attributable to Elastoplast® SilverHealing have been reported to date.

This information does not constitute medical advice. It seeks to address some frequently asked questions specifically pertaining to the range of Elastoplast SilverHealing plasters and dressings.

This information may be reviewed at any time. Remember to always read the label and use only as directed.

If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner.