Cutimed Alginate is a sterile, highly absorbent alginate wound dressing made from natural seaweed-derived fibres, designed for the management of moderately to highly exuding superficial and deep wounds.

The dressing is made mainly from calcium alginate fibres and incorporates a hidden integrity layer that provides additional stability when wet. On contact with wound exudate, the alginate absorbs fluid and forms a soft gel that conforms closely to the wound bed, helping maintain a moist environment favourable to wound healing.

Cutimed Alginate also has haemostatic properties, helping control minor bleeding in appropriate wounds.

Key features:

• Sterile alginate wound dressing
• Made from natural fibres derived from seaweed
• Consists mainly of calcium alginate fibre
• Suitable for moderately to highly exuding wounds
• Rapid, high fluid absorption
• Forms a soft gel on contact with wound exudate
• Helps retain exudate within the dressing
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports natural wound cleansing and autolytic debridement
• Soft gel conforms closely to the wound bed
• Helps minimise dead space, particularly in deeper wounds
• Hidden integrity layer improves wet stability
• High wet tensile strength
• Designed for removal substantially in one piece
• Haemostatic properties help control minor bleeding
• Can be cut or folded to fit the wound
• Can be applied either side to the wound
• Rope presentation available for cavity wounds
• Suitable for use beneath compression bandaging
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Can remain in place for up to 7 days, depending on wound condition and exudate
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How Cutimed Alginate works

When Cutimed Alginate comes into contact with wound exudate:

1. The alginate fibres rapidly absorb wound fluid.
2. The dressing begins to gel.
3. The resulting soft gel conforms closely to the wound surface.
4. Exudate is retained within the dressing.
5. The moist environment supports normal wound-healing processes.
6. Slough and devitalised tissue can be softened, supporting autolytic debridement.
7. The internal integrity layer helps the dressing retain sufficient strength for removal.

The close conformity of the gelled dressing is particularly useful in deeper and irregular wounds.

Suitable wound types

Cutimed Alginate is indicated for moderately to highly exuding superficial and deep wounds, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Venous leg ulcers
• Arterial leg ulcers, following appropriate vascular assessment
• Cavity wounds
• Surface trauma
• Donor sites
• Post-operative surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Superficial burns
• Partial-thickness burns

It is particularly suitable for wounds that are:

• Sloughy
• Granulating
• Moderately exuding
• Highly exuding

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be appropriately assessed and treated.

For example:

• Venous leg ulcers may require compression therapy
• Diabetic foot ulcers may require off-loading
• Pressure injuries require pressure redistribution
• Arterial wounds require appropriate vascular assessment

How to use

Cutimed Alginate should be used according to the manufacturer's Instructions for Use and the patient's wound-management plan.

1. Debride the wound where clinically necessary.
2. Cleanse or irrigate the wound according to local clinical practice.
3. Remove excess moisture from the surrounding skin.
4. Select an appropriate dressing size.
5. If necessary, cut with sterile scissors or fold the dressing to fit the wound.
6. Apply Cutimed Alginate directly to the wound bed.
7. Ensure good contact with the wound surface.
8. Cover with a suitable secondary dressing.
9. Secure according to wound location, exudate level and treatment requirements.

Cutimed Alginate can be applied with either side facing the wound.

Deep and cavity wounds

The 2.5cm × 30cm rope presentation is suitable for appropriate deep and cavity wounds.

When filling a deep wound:

• Loosely position Cutimed Alginate within the cavity
• Do not tightly pack the wound
• Ensure the dressing does not unnecessarily overlap the wound margins
• Leave sufficient dressing accessible to facilitate complete removal
• Cover with a suitable secondary dressing

At each dressing change, ensure that all dressing material has been removed.

Secondary dressing

Cutimed Alginate is a primary wound dressing and requires an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound size and depth
• Wound location
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Required fixation

For highly exuding wounds, a suitably absorbent secondary dressing should be selected.

Use under compression

Cutimed Alginate is suitable for use beneath compression bandaging where compression is clinically indicated.

This can make it suitable for exuding venous leg ulcers after appropriate vascular assessment.

Cutimed Alginate itself does not provide compression.

Minor bleeding

Cutimed Alginate has haemostatic properties and may help control minor superficial bleeding.

It should not be relied upon to control:

• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent bleeding
• Arterial haemorrhage
• Significant or unexplained bleeding

Significant bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Dressing changes

Cutimed Alginate may remain in place for up to:

7 days

depending on:

• Patient condition
• Wound condition
• Exudate level
• Saturation of the secondary dressing
• Clinical judgement

Change sooner if:

• The dressing reaches its absorption capacity
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment

Highly exuding wounds may require more frequent dressing changes.

Removal

1. Carefully remove the secondary dressing.
2. Gently remove Cutimed Alginate from the wound.
3. Discard the used dressing.

The hidden integrity layer and high wet tensile strength help the dressing remain intact during removal.

If the wound appears dry or the dressing has adhered:

1. Saturate the dressing with sterile saline solution.
2. Allow it to soften.
3. Remove gently.

Do not forcibly remove a dry alginate dressing from delicate healing tissue.

Dry wounds

Cutimed Alginate is intended for moderately to highly exuding wounds.

It should not normally be selected for:

• Dry wounds
• Minimally exuding wounds

because sufficient moisture is required for the alginate fibres to gel appropriately.

Infection

Standard Cutimed Alginate is non-medicated and non-antimicrobial.

The manufacturer's UK information principally positions it for non-infected wounds.

If infection is present or suspected, the wound should be clinically assessed and appropriately treated.

Signs may include:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Heat
• Purulent discharge
• Offensive odour
• Fever
• Rapid wound deterioration

Cutimed Alginate does not replace appropriate antimicrobial or systemic treatment where required.

Important information

Do not:

• Use as the sole treatment for significant bleeding
• Tightly pack deep or cavity wounds
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

Product type: Alginate Wound Dressing

Material: Mainly calcium alginate fibres derived from seaweed

Integrity layer: Yes

Medicated: No

Antimicrobial: No

Exudate level: Moderate to high

Wound depth: Superficial and deep

Suitable wound stages: Sloughy and granulating

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Haemostatic properties: Yes – for minor bleeding

Can be cut or folded: Yes

Both-side application: Yes

Suitable for cavity wounds: Yes – rope presentation available

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically indicated

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

Cutimed Alginate – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Essity product code: 7263408
• PIP code: 367-4579
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS552
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200047

Cutimed Alginate – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Essity product code: 7263409
• PIP code: 367-4587
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS531
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200048

Cutimed Alginate – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Essity product code: 7263410
• PIP code: 367-4595
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS553
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200049

Cutimed Alginate Rope – 2.5cm × 30cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Essity product code: 7263411
• PIP code: 367-4603
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS554
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800133

Manufacturer / supplier: Essity UK Ltd

Cutimed Alginate should be selected according to wound depth, wound-bed condition and exudate level. Chronic, diabetic, arterial, infected, bleeding or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

• Product Information Leaflet