Features of Allevyn Life Foam Dressing
Multi Layer Design
Allevyn Dressings with multi-layered design incorporates silicone adhesive, hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorber lock away core, protective masking layer and breathing film. Designed to redistribute pressure, these dressings are a cost effective solution to complement the pressure ulcer prevention program. Silicone wound contact layer helps minimize trauma to the wound and pain to the patient during dressing changes and also allows the dressing to be repositioned.
Pressure Redistribution
- The unique multi-layer design helps redistribute pressure more evenly than traditional foam dressings. In addition, the quadrilobed shape with wide border helps ensure that the dressing stays in place.
- A pressure redistribution comparison study measured the pressure transferred through the dressings when the pressure was applied to the dressing surface, using a probe. 1000mmHg was applied to both the dressings. Following was seen:
Benefits of Allevyn Life Wound Dressing
- Discretion Layer for Patient Confidence:
Discretion minimizes the visual impact of strikethrough, giving patients the confidence that the dressing may not attract the negative attention of others. Masking layer acts as a change indicator that optimizes dressing change frequency and minimizes waste.
- Lock-away Layer Providing Peace of Mind:
Allevyn Life dressing has a hyper-absorbent lock away core that provides excellent fluid locking under pressure. It absorbs common wound odors when tested on the representative compounds and provides the patient with peace of mind from leakage prevention.
- Cushioning Layer for Maximum Protection:
Multi-layered design (hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorbent lock away core and masking layer) provides cushioning and helps to redistribute pressure. Patients feel comfortable as they are cushioned against everyday trauma.
When to use Smith and Nephew Allevyn Life Dressing?
- Shallow, granulating wounds
- Chronic and acute exudative wounds
- Full- and partial-thickness wounds
- Pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers
- Infected wounds
- Malignant wounds
- Surgical wounds
- First and second-degree burns
- Donor sites
- Skin tears
- Fungating ulcers
What led to the innovation of Allevyn Life Dressing?
What is Allevyn?
Complete wound care means far more than just physical healing, particularly to patients living with their wounds 24/7. Allevyn is the dressing that has stood by it and worked backward from the human body, transpiring just the right amount to keep each wound at the optimum moisture levels. 96% of patients assessed Allevyn Life as a comfortable dressing during wear.
What led to the innovation of Allevyn Life Dressing?
- Leakage, visible strikethrough and odor can be embarrassing and stigmatizing
- Poor cushioning from knocks and bumps can cause fear and pain
- Dressings that do not stay in place and fall off are highly frustrating
- Frequent dressing changes and slow wound healing cause anxiety
This inspired the development of Allevyn Life, which is a multi-layered dressing incorporating hydrocellular foam, a hyper-absorbent lock away core and a masking layer designed specifically for people and their everyday life.
How long can Allevyn Foam Dressing stay on?
In-vitro studies and clinical experience demonstrate that Allevyn Life dressings can stay in place for up to seven days. This capacity results from a combination of properties. The perforated wound contact layer allows even viscous exudate to pass into the dressing.
How to apply Allevyn Life Silicone Gel Dressing?
- Cleanse the wound according to local protocols.
- Select an appropriate dressing size.
- Prepare and clean the skin surrounding the wound area by removing excess moisture. Any excess hair should be clipped to ensure close approximation to the wound.
- Remove one of the protector materials from Allevyn Life and anchor the adhesive side of the dressing to the skin. Smooth the dressing over the wound ensuring there are no creases. When positioning Allevyn Life Sacrum dressings, place the narrow end of the dressing a minimum of 3/4 of an inch (2cm) above the anal sphincter, then smooth the dressing over the sacrum.
- Remove the remaining protector material and smooth the dressing over the remainder of the wound without stretching the dressing. Only the pad area of the dressing must adhere to the entire surface of the wound.
- Allevyn Life can be used to dress awkward wounds such as heels and elbows, the dressing corner lobes can be overlapped when positioning the dressing, ensuring no creasing or stretching occurs to the dressing.
When to Change Allevyn Foam Dressing?
- Dressings can be left in place for up to 7 days, except the sacral area.
- Dressings in the sacral area can be left in place for up to 5 days, depending on the condition of the wound and the surrounding skin, or until exudate covers more than 50% of the absorbent pad outside of the central screen.
- The above is guidance and the decision of when to change should follow local clinical protocols.
- Due to the increased potential for contamination and infection in the sacral area, increased monitoring of dressing adherence may be required as per local clinical protocols.
Allevyn Life Foam Dressing Removal
- To remove the dressing, lift the edge of the dressing and slowly peel back until completely removed from the wound.
- Sacrum Dressings should be removed from the top edge down towards the anus to minimize the potential for fecal contamination.
Allevyn Life Foam Dressing Size Chart
| Code |
Size (inch) |
Size (cm) |
Pad Size |
| 66801067 |
4" x 4" |
10.3cm x 10.3cm |
2" x 2" (5.1cm x 5.1cm) |
| 66801068 |
5.06" x 5.06" |
12.9cm x 12.9cm |
3" x 3" (7.6cm x 7.6cm) |
| 66801069 |
6.06" x 6.06" |
15.4cm x 15.4cm |
4" x 4" (10.2cm x 10.2cm) |
| 66801070 |
8.25" x 8.25" |
21cm x 21cm |
6" x 6" (15.4cm x 15.4cm) |
