Informational Resource for Silver Dressings
Silver Dressings
The use of silver in wound dressings has become more common because of the benefits
of silvers antimicrobial properties.
An antimicrobial is a substance that either kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoan’s.
Silver
wound dressings are often utilized for the treatment of external infections. Wound dressings containing silver are increasing
in importance due to the recent increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
Increased importance is being placed on silver wound dressings due to the increase
of antibiotic-resistant bacteria,
thus imposing clinical limits on the use of antibiotics. Increasing (MRSA) infections, with a resultant reduction in
first-line antibiotic prescribing, have caused the use topical silver to regain popularity in the management of open wounds.
Silver has proven antimicrobial activity that includes antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Silver’s broad spectrum of antimicrobial
activity, with minimal toxicity toward mammalian cells at low concentrations, has a less likely tendency than antibiotics to
induce bacterial resistance.
The information provided here is intended to inform readers. Patients should address specific
medical concerns with their physicians.