Colloidal Silver Facts
Silver and Wound Management
Silver and Wound Management
Steve Thomas, PhD
Director Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory Bridgend, Wales, UK
Abstract The spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of micro-organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents an ever-increasing threat to the health of vulnerable people throughout the world who are obliged to spend extended periods in healthcare facilities. The organism is also responsible for increasing the financial burden placed on such centres and the wider community at large, with the result that precious financial resources are diverted from other areas of need to deal with the consequences of infection.
There is general agreement that the problem of resistance has been exacerbated by the overuse or misuse of antibiotics so, wherever possible, alternative methods are now required to manage topical infections caused by antibiotic-resistant organisms. Open wounds act as an important focus for cross-infection, necessitating the application of appropriate measures to eliminate or prevent the spread of bacteria from such lesions. Some topical products that can be used in the treatment of wound infections are described, with particular emphasis on the potential value of silver-containing dressings.