ACTICOAT 7

Managing infection in wounds is one of the most important factors in supporting effective healing. ACTICOAT 7 is a nanocrystalline silver antimicrobial barrier dressing designed to provide continuous antimicrobial activity for up to seven days. Manufactured by Smith+Nephew, it is used in the management of burns, chronic wounds, acute wounds, and skin grafts where infection prevention or control is needed. The seven-day wear time reduces the frequency of dressing changes, which can be important for patient comfort and wound management efficiency. No prescription is required.

ACTICOAT 7 is a regulated Class IIb medical device. It is a multilayer antimicrobial barrier dressing incorporating nanocrystalline silver technology, developed by Smith+Nephew under the SILCRYST trademark. The dressing consists of three layers: two outer layers of silver-coated, low-adherent polyethylene mesh, and an inner absorbent rayon and polyester core. This construction allows the dressing to absorb wound exudate while the silver layers maintain antimicrobial activity at the wound surface.

The "7" in the name refers to the dressing wear time. ACTICOAT 7 is designed to remain in place for up to seven days when maintained with regular moistening. This is the key distinction from the original ACTICOAT dressing, which has a three-day wear time. ACTICOAT Flex 7 is a flexible variant of the same product designed for use on contoured or difficult-to-dress areas.

ACTICOAT 7 is indicated for use on partial and full thickness burns, chronic wounds including leg ulcers and pressure ulcers, acute traumatic wounds, and split thickness skin graft donor and recipient sites. It is used where there is evidence of infection, a high risk of infection, or as part of a clinical infection prevention strategy.

Important — use sterile water only: ACTICOAT 7 must be moistened with sterile water before application and kept moist during the wear period. Never use saline (sodium chloride solution) to wet ACTICOAT 7. Chloride ions in saline react with the nanocrystalline silver and significantly reduce its antimicrobial effectiveness. This applies to tap water too — only sterile water should be used.

Nanocrystalline Silver Technology

The antimicrobial action of ACTICOAT 7 is delivered through nanocrystalline silver, a form of silver in which the metal is deposited as nanoscale crystals onto the polyethylene mesh layers. Nanocrystalline silver has a much higher surface area per unit of silver than conventional silver compounds such as silver sulfadiazine. This significantly increases the rate and quantity of silver ion release, producing a sustained and potent antimicrobial effect at much lower silver concentrations.

Mechanism of Antimicrobial Action

When moistened with sterile water, the nanocrystalline silver releases silver ions continuously across the dressing surface. Silver ions interfere with microbial cell function through multiple mechanisms: disrupting the cell membrane, interfering with bacterial enzyme systems, and preventing bacterial DNA replication. This broad mechanism of action means silver is effective against a wide range of wound pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Candida albicans.

Sustained Release and Seven-Day Activity

The nanocrystalline silver coating in ACTICOAT 7 is designed to sustain silver ion release for up to seven days when the dressing is kept adequately moist. The moistening schedule is typically once or twice daily with sterile water, depending on wound exudate levels and the clinical environment. The absorbent inner core manages exudate without saturating the outer silver layers, maintaining antimicrobial contact with the wound bed throughout the wear period.

Read the full Instructions for Use provided with the product before applying. The following is a summary for general guidance only. ACTICOAT 7 should be applied by a trained healthcare professional or under clinical supervision for complex wounds. Patients or carers managing simple wounds at home should receive instruction from a healthcare professional before first use.

Before Application

• Wash hands thoroughly or use appropriate gloves.
• Clean and prepare the wound according to clinical guidelines.
• Remove ACTICOAT 7 from its sterile packaging immediately before use.
• Moisten the dressing with sterile water before placing it on the wound. The dressing should be damp but not dripping.
• Do not use saline, tap water, or any other solution to moisten the dressing.

Application

• Place the moistened dressing over the wound with the silver mesh surface facing the wound bed.
• Ensure the dressing covers the entire wound and extends slightly beyond the wound margins.
• Secure with an appropriate secondary dressing or fixation method as directed by your healthcare professional.
• Label the dressing with the application date and time.

During Wear

• Moisten the dressing with sterile water once or twice daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional, to maintain antimicrobial activity.
• Do not allow the dressing to dry out completely during the wear period.
• The dressing may be left in place for up to seven days if the wound condition allows and clinical assessment indicates this is appropriate.
• Remove immediately if signs of adverse reaction occur, including increased pain, significant skin irritation, or worsening infection signs.

Removal

• Moisten the dressing with sterile water before removal to minimise trauma to the wound bed.
• Remove gently. Do not forcibly pull the dressing from the wound.
• Assess the wound at each dressing change and seek clinical advice if the wound is not progressing as expected.

ACTICOAT 7 — 5cm x 5cm

Suitable for smaller wounds, burns, or donor sites. Useful for digit wounds, localised burns, and small acute wounds. Each pack contains one dressing in individual sterile packaging.

ACTICOAT 7 — 10cm x 12.5cm

A medium size suitable for moderate-sized wounds including partial thickness burns, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Covers a practical treatment area with appropriate overlap beyond wound margins.

ACTICOAT 7 — 15cm x 15cm

A larger size suitable for extensive wounds, larger burn areas, or skin graft sites. Can be cut to size if required: cut with sterile scissors and ensure all cut edges are covered by the secondary dressing to prevent silver shedding onto surrounding skin.

Size selection: choose a dressing size that covers the entire wound bed and extends at least 1cm beyond the wound margin on all sides. If the wound is larger than the largest available size, multiple dressings can be overlapped slightly. Seek clinical guidance for complex or large wound areas.

Contraindications

• Do not use on patients with a known sensitivity or allergy to silver.
• Do not use in body cavities without specific clinical direction.
• Do not use in conjunction with oil-based products (including petrolatum-based dressings or ointments) directly under the dressing, as these can impair silver ion release.

Precautions

• ACTICOAT 7 is a single use product. Do not reuse, resterilise, or reapply a used dressing.
• Avoid prolonged, continuous use without clinical reassessment. Extended use of silver dressings beyond clinical need is not recommended. Reassess at each dressing change and discontinue when infection is controlled and the wound is healing without signs of infection.
• Use with caution in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Systemic silver absorption from topical silver dressings is generally low but data in pregnancy is limited. Seek clinical advice.
• The dressing may cause a grey or blue grey discolouration of the wound and surrounding skin. This is caused by silver deposition (argyria) and is usually localised and cosmetically significant rather than clinically harmful. It typically resolves when silver dressing use is discontinued.
• Do not use MRI scanning with ACTICOAT 7 dressing in place. Remove before MRI procedures.
• Silver dressings are not a substitute for systemic antibiotic therapy in patients with spreading cellulitis, systemic infection, or sepsis. Clinical assessment and appropriate systemic treatment take precedence.

Adverse Effects

• Localised skin irritation or sensitivity reactions at the wound margin. Discontinue if persistent.
• Discolouration of wound bed and periwound skin. This is expected and is documented in the product Instructions for Use.
• Pain on application or removal if the dressing is allowed to dry. Maintain adequate moisture throughout the wear period.

ACTICOAT 7 Is Suitable For Use On:

• Partial and full thickness burns where infection prevention or management is needed.
• Chronic wounds including venous leg ulcers, arterial leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers with signs of infection or at high risk of infection.
• Acute traumatic wounds with infection risk.
• Split thickness skin graft donor sites and recipient sites.
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision.

ACTICOAT 7 Should Not Be Used On:

• Patients with known allergy to silver.
• Wounds being treated with oil-based topical products unless these are removed and the wound is cleaned before applying the silver dressing.
• Dry wounds or wounds with minimal exudate without the ability to maintain adequate moisture levels — discuss with a healthcare professional.

ACTICOAT 7 is a professional grade wound care product. Complex wounds including burns of significant area, pressure ulcers, and non healing leg ulcers should be managed under clinical supervision. If you are unsure whether ACTICOAT 7 is appropriate for a specific wound, consult a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP before purchasing.

ACTICOAT 7 is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased directly through Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation. It is available in three sizes: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 12.5cm, and 15cm x 15cm.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy stocking a range of professional wound care products including antimicrobial dressings, primary wound dressings, and wound care accessories. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

If you are unsure which size or type of dressing is most appropriate for your wound, our pharmacists are available to advise. For complex or non healing wounds, we recommend seeking clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse or GP alongside your dressing purchases.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Store below 25°C. Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use. Each dressing is individually sterile packed. Do not use if the packaging is damaged, punctured, or shows signs of compromise. Check the expiry date on the packaging before use. Do not use after the expiry date. Once opened, use immediately. Do not store a partially used dressing. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local clinical waste disposal guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy committed to providing access to professional grade wound care products with clear, clinically accurate information. We stock ACTICOAT 7 in all three available sizes alongside a range of primary and secondary wound care products to support comprehensive wound management. All wound care products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains. Our pharmacists are available to advise on product selection, application guidance, and when clinical referral for wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ACTICOAT 7 Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing — Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew Medical Ltd. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Antimicrobial stewardship in wound management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wound care products and elastic hosiery — Drug Tariff and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. Wound Infection in Clinical Practice. International consensus. EWMA (European Wound Management Association). https://ewma.org. Accessed May 2026.