What is the ALLEVYN Range of Dressings?
The ALLEVYN range from Smith & Nephew is a comprehensive family of absorbent foam dressings. Trusted with over 25 years of clinical use, the ALLEVYN range has a history of innovation and putting people first, with a true understanding of the human body and the experience of living with a wound.
The ALLEVYN portfolio is divided into ALLEVYN Classic products, a complete range of clinically proven,1-5 quality foam dressings designed to provide for diverse wound care requirements, and ALLEVYN Life, an advanced layered dressing designed to give your patients an optimal wound care experience.
ALLEVYN Life
What is ALLEVYN Life?
ALLEVYN Life Dressings have an advanced layered construction, which combines a composite hydrocellular foam pad, a perforated silicone gel adhesive wound contact layer, a highly permeable waterproof outer film, a hyper-absorber lock away core and a unique masking layer to help shield the visibility of exudate.
How does ALLEVYN Life work?
The advanced layered construction of ALLEVYN Life facilitates dynamic fluid management6 to maintain an optimal moist wound environment7 which may help reduce the risk of maceration.6,7 The wound contact layer of ALLEVYN Life is coated with a gentle silicone adhesive that minimizes trauma to the wound and pain to the patient during dressing changes.2
What is the intended use of ALLEVYN Life Dressings?
ALLEVYN Life is used to dress exuding wounds including pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, infected wounds, malignant wounds, surgical wounds, first and second degree burns, donor sites, fungating ulcers and skin tears. ALLEVYN Life can also be used as part of a pressure ulcer prevention protocol to help redistribute pressure and reduce the risk of skin breakdown.
How long can ALLEVYN Life be left in place?
ALLEVYN Life can be left in place for up to 7 days, except the sacral area where dressings can be left in place for up to 5 days.
When should I change the ALLEVYN Life Dressing?
Dressing change depends on the condition of the wound and surrounding skin, in consideration of local clinical protocols. However, the dressing should be changed when strikethrough of exudate is visible on 75% of the border coverage.

How should I remove ALLEVYN Life?
To remove ALLEVYN Life, lift the edge of the dressing and slowly peel back until completely removed from the wound.
Is ALLEVYN Life showerproof?
Yes, it is showerproof.8,9 The film is waterproof and bacteria proof.10
Does ALLEVYN Life have any odor?
No, the dressing does not have a smell. The dressing locks away odor so it is retained within the dressing.
Is there a risk ALLEVYN Life will dry out the wound?
No, as ALLEVYN Life is designed to maintain a moist wound wound environment.7
Can ALLEVYN Life be cut?
No, the dressing cannot be cut, as internal dressing components may contaminate the wound and lead to delayed healing. The bacterial barrier properties of the dressing will also be compromised which may lead to infection.
Does ALLEVYN Life work in combination with gels?
ALLEVYN Life can be used in conjunction with INTRASITE◊ Gel for necrotic or sloughy wounds.
Can ALLEVYN Life be used with oxidizing agents?
Do not use ALLEVYN Life Dressings with oxidizing agents such as hypochlorite solutions (e.g. EUSOL) or hydrogen peroxide as these can break down the absorbent polyurethane component of the dressing.
Can ALLEVYN Life be repositioned?
ALLEVYN Life can be lifted and repositioned without losing its adherent properties,11,12 but ensure no creasing or stretching of the dressing occurs when applying.
How should ALLEVYN Life be stored?
ALLEVYN Life should be stored in a dry place below 77°F/ 25°C, away from sunlight.
Can an ALLEVYN Life Dressing be used more than once?
No, ALLEVYN Life is a single use only product. If used on more than one patient, cross contamination or infection may occur. Opening the dressing pouch compromises the sterile barrier, therefore any unused dressing should not be retained for application at a later date.
ALLEVYN Classics
What products are in the ALLEVYN Classic range?
The ALLEVYN Classic range consists of ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive, ALLEVYN Heel, ALLEVYN Adhesive, ALLEVYN Gentle, ALLEVYN Gentle Border and ALLEVYN Gentle Border Lite.
Why are there several different products within the ALLEVYN Classic range?
The products in the ALLEVYN Classic range provide appropriate choices for the wide variety of wound management needs that patients have. From those requiring a more secure adhesive, to those needing a suitable dressing under compression, or to those with fragile skin or lightly exuding wounds, there is an ALLEVYN Dressing to cover the need.
How do the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range work?
All of the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range utilize the unique triple action technology which consists of a non-adherent wound contact layer,13-16 an absorbent foam core5,14,17-19 and a highly breathable top film.14,19,20-22 This technology is designed to maintain a moist wound environment to keep the wound at the optimal moisture level.23-28
What type of adhesive is used on the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classics range?
There is a range of adhesion qualities used on ALLEVYN Classic Dressings. ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive has a non-adherent wound contact layer for when no adhesion is required. ALLEVYN Gentle has a low-tack soft gel adhesive designed to provide a gentle helping hand during application of the secondary retention. ALLEVYN Gentle Border and ALLEVYN Gentle Border Lite both have a gentle silicone adhesive across the wound contact layer and border for gentle adhesion with no need for secondary retention. Finally, ALLEVYN Adhesive provides a secure adhesive for when dressing retention is paramount.
What are the intended uses for the ALLEVYN Classic range of dressings?
ALLEVYN Dressings have a wide range of intended uses. Click through to the individual product variant pages for specific usage information.
ALLEVYN Adhesive
ALLEVYN Non Adhesive
ALLEVYN Gentle
ALLEVYN Gentle Border
ALLEVYN Gentle Border Lite
How long can the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range be left in place for?
ALLEVYN Dressings can be left in place for up to 7 days, except the sacral area where dressings can be left in place for up to 5 days
Which dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range can be used under compression?
ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive, ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive, ALLEVYN Gentle and ALLEVYN Ag Gentle can all be used under compression
Do the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range work in combination with gels?
ALLEVYN Dressings can be used in conjunction with INTRASITE◊ Gel for necrotic or sloughy wounds.
Can the dressings in the ALLEVYN Classic range be used with oxidizing agents?
Do not use ALLEVYN Life Dressings with oxidizing agents such as hypochlorite solutions (e.g. EUSOL) or hydrogen peroxide, as these can break down the absorbent polyurethane component of the dressing.
What is the silver source in ALLEVYN Ag?
ALLEVYN Ag contains silver sulfadiazine (SSD) within the foam pad.
Is silver safe?
SSD has a long history of use in wound care, with the cumulative history of approved clinical use of over 35 years as a medicinal product. Post-marketing surveillance data collected for SSD shows that SSD is both safe and effective in preventing and treating infections in burns and other wounds. Patients should, however, be advised to be alert to any signs of allergic reactions. Just like any other medical product, please refer to the product leaflet for precautions and contraindications.29
How should ALLEVYN Dressings be stored?
ALLEVYN Dressings should be stored in a dry place below 77°F/ 25°C, away from sunlight.
Can an ALLEVYN Dressing be used more than once?
No, ALLEVYN Dressings are single use only products. If used on more than one patient, cross contamination or infection may occur. Opening the dressing pouch compromises the sterile barrier, therefore any unused dressing should not be retained for application at a later date.
References
- K. Leak, A. Jones and S. Brown. Non-comparative in-market evaluation of ALLEVYN Gentle. Wounds UK: 6(1): 41-54. 2010
- T. Hurd et al. A multicentre in-market evaluation of ALLEVYN Gentle Border. Wounds UK, Vol 5. No 3. 2009
- J. Stephen-Haynes, M. Greenwood. Clinical evaluation of ALLEVYN Gentle Border Lite within one health trust. British Journal of Nursing 20(20):S36, S38-42. 2011
- K.G. Harding, S. Bales. A randomised clinical study to evaluate and compare the performance of ALLEVYN Adhesive and TielleTM dressings in the management of exuding wounds in the community.1999
- P.A. Kurring et al. Evaluation of a hydrocellular dressing in the management of exuding wounds in the community. British Journal of Nursing 3(20) 1049-1053. 1994
- Fluid Handling Properties of ALLEVYN Life. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report DS.12.124.
- A. Rossington et al. Clinical performance and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. Wounds UK. Vol 9, No 4. 2013
- S. Palmer, H. Dharma. Smith & Nephew data on file report OR-DOF 020. An open, prospective, randomised, comparative volunteer trial to compare the performance of silicone adhesive dressings. MepilexTM Border. November 2011
- S. Palmer, H. Dharma. An open, prospective, randomised, comparative volunteer trial to compare the performance of silicone adhesive dressings. BiatainTM Silicone. Smith & Nephew data on file report OR-DOF 021. November 2011
- M. Mell. Data on File Report 1205002. May 2012
- S. Palmer, G. Smith. Results from an open, prospective, randomised, within volunteer comparison of ALLEVYN Gentle Border and Mepilex Border. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report OR-DOF 001. November 2008
- S. Roberts. Data on File Report DS/12/123/DOF. June 2012
- N.R. Baker, J. Creevy. A randomised comparative pilot study to evaluate ALLEVYN hydrocellular dressings and Sorbsan Calcium alginate dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Presented at the 6th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, San Diego, California,1993
- S. Bale, D. Squires et al. A comparison of two dressings in pressure sore management. Journal of Wound Care. 1997
- S. Palmer, C. Mistry. An open, prospective, randomized, comparative study to compare the performance of ALLEVYN Gentle Border Multisite with an alternative silicone adhesive dressing. Data on File: OR/DOF 017. May 2011
- G. Walton. ALLEVYN Gentle - a 17 day wound healing study in full thickness wounds in minipigs. Product Safety Statement PSS088. November 2007
- L. Tompkins. Data on File: 0709060. September 2007
- L. Tompkins. Data on File: 0711080. November 2007
- L. Tomkins. Data on File: DS/10/100/R1. August 2010
- D. Foster, A. Rial. Data on File: 0601003. February 2006
- L. Daubney. Data on File: DS/09/013/R2. May 2009
- D. Foster, A. Rial, Data on File DS/09/013/R2. Feb 2006
- D. Foster, A. Rial. Data on File: 0601004. February 2006
- D. Foster, A. Rial. Data on File: 0601003. February 2006
- Technical Justification: AGB007. October 2010
- S. Carpenter. Data on File: DS/07/187/R1v2. November 2007
- S. Carpenter. Data on File: DS/08/043/R1. June 2008
- S. Carpenter. Technical Justification AG0011. November 2007
- Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals. Clinical Expert Report, Flamazine, February 2001
