ACTICOAT MOISTURE CONTROL

Managing excess wound exudate is one of the most challenging aspects of wound care for heavily exuding wounds. Too much moisture at the wound surface can damage surrounding skin, delay healing, and increase infection risk. ACTICOAT Moisture Control is a nanocrystalline silver antimicrobial dressing specifically designed for wounds that produce moderate to heavy exudate. It combines continuous antimicrobial silver activity with an absorbent inner core that draws excess fluid away from the wound surface. Unlike other ACTICOAT dressings, ACTICOAT Moisture Control is applied dry — the wound's own exudate activates the silver and provides the moisture needed for the antimicrobial mechanism to function. No prescription is required.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Smith+Nephew. It is a multilayer antimicrobial dressing combining nanocrystalline silver technology with enhanced exudate management capability. The dressing is designed specifically for infected or at risk wounds that produce moderate to heavy exudate, where moisture balance is as important a clinical consideration as antimicrobial protection.

The dressing consists of a nanocrystalline silver coated outer layer backed by a highly absorbent inner core. The absorbent core wicks wound exudate away from the wound surface, preventing maceration of the periwound skin while the outer silver layer maintains continuous antimicrobial contact with the wound bed.

Unlike ACTICOAT Silcryst Nanocrystals, ACTICOAT 7, and the ACTICOAT FLEX range, all of which require regular moistening with sterile water to activate and sustain the silver, ACTICOAT Moisture Control uses the wound's own exudate as the activating fluid. The dressing is applied dry.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control is indicated for use on moderate to heavily exuding infected or at risk wounds including chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers, partial thickness burns, acute wounds, and skin graft donor and recipient sites where both infection management and exudate control are clinical priorities.

Key difference from other ACTICOAT products: ACTICOAT Moisture Control is applied DRY to the wound. You do not need to wet or moisten it before application. The wound exudate itself activates the silver. This is the most important distinction between ACTICOAT Moisture Control and other products in the ACTICOAT range.

Nanocrystalline Silver Antimicrobial Action

ACTICOAT Moisture Control incorporates Smith+Nephew's SILCRYST nanocrystalline silver technology. Nanocrystalline silver is deposited as nanoscale crystals onto the dressing surface. When the dressing contacts wound exudate, silver ions are released continuously. These silver ions act on wound pathogens through multiple mechanisms: disrupting cell membranes, interfering with bacterial enzyme systems, and preventing bacterial DNA replication. This broad antimicrobial mechanism is effective against a wide range of wound pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, VRE, and Candida albicans.

Exudate Absorption and Moisture Balance

The highly absorbent inner core of ACTICOAT Moisture Control draws wound exudate upward and away from the wound surface through a wicking mechanism. This reduces the pooling of exudate at the wound bed and periwound skin, which can cause maceration, excoriation, and skin breakdown in highly exuding wounds. The absorbed exudate is retained within the inner core and does not easily release back into the wound when the dressing is compressed or the patient moves.

Exudate Activated Silver Release

In other ACTICOAT products, the dressing must be moistened with sterile water to activate and sustain silver ion release. ACTICOAT Moisture Control is specifically engineered so that the wound exudate itself provides the moisture needed to activate and sustain silver ion release. This means no external moistening is required. The more exudate the wound produces, the more consistently the silver mechanism is maintained. This makes it a practical choice for wounds where the clinical team prefers to minimise the number of nursing interventions between dressing changes.

Wear Time

ACTICOAT Moisture Control is designed for a wear time of up to three days, consistent with the standard ACTICOAT three day wear products. The actual wear time in practice depends on the level of exudate production. Heavily exuding wounds may saturate the absorbent core before three days, requiring an earlier dressing change. When the secondary dressing shows visible strike-through of exudate, assess whether the primary dressing requires changing.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control is applied DRY. Do not wet, moisten, or soak the dressing before application. This is different from ACTICOAT Silcryst Nanocrystals and the ACTICOAT FLEX range, which require pre-moistening. Applying ACTICOAT Moisture Control dry allows the absorbent core to work at full capacity from the moment it is placed on the wound.

Before Application

• Wash hands thoroughly and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean and prepare the wound according to clinical guidelines.
• Remove any loose necrotic tissue as clinically appropriate.
• Assess the periwound skin. Apply a skin protectant or barrier product to any macerated or at-risk periwound skin before placing the dressing.
• Remove ACTICOAT Moisture Control from its sterile packaging immediately before use.
• Do not moisten the dressing.

Application

• Place the dressing dry over the wound with the silver coated surface facing the wound bed.
• Ensure the dressing covers the entire wound and extends slightly beyond the wound margin.
• Apply an appropriate secondary dressing to secure and provide additional absorbency as needed. The choice of secondary dressing should be guided by the level of exudate and the wound location.
• Label with the application date and time.

During Wear and Removal

• Monitor the dressing for strike-through of exudate at the secondary dressing level. This indicates the absorbent capacity is being reached.
• Do not attempt to remoisten ACTICOAT Moisture Control during wear as you would with other ACTICOAT products.
• Change the dressing when clinically indicated, when exudate strike-through is evident, or at a maximum of three days.
• Moisten the dressing with sterile water before removal if it has partially dried to the wound surface, to minimise trauma. This moistening is only at removal, not during wear.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control — 10cm x 20cm

ACTICOAT Moisture Control is available in a single size of 10cm x 20cm. This is a versatile size suitable for moderate-sized exuding wounds including venous leg ulcers, larger pressure ulcers, and moderate-area burns. The dressing can be cut to size using sterile scissors if the wound is smaller. When cutting, ensure cut edges are covered by the secondary dressing.

For wounds larger than 10cm x 20cm, multiple dressings can be placed adjacent to each other to cover the wound area. Ensure all areas of the wound are covered and that the secondary dressing provides adequate containment. For very large wounds, seek clinical guidance from a tissue viability nurse or specialist.

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 topical products directly under the dressing, as these impair silver ion release.

Precautions

• ACTICOAT Moisture Control is a single use product. Do not reuse, resterilise, or reapply a used dressing.
• Do not pre-moisten the dressing before application. Moistening before application reduces the absorbent capacity of the inner core.
• Assess exudate levels at each dressing change. If exudate levels decrease significantly, review whether ACTICOAT Moisture Control remains the most appropriate dressing choice, as a less absorptive product may then be more suitable.
• The dressing may cause grey or blue grey discolouration of the wound bed and periwound skin. This is caused by silver deposition (argyria) and is generally localised and cosmetically significant rather than clinically harmful. It typically resolves when silver dressing use is discontinued.
• Do not use MRI scanning with ACTICOAT Moisture Control in place. Remove before MRI procedures.
• Silver dressings are not a substitute for systemic antibiotic therapy where there is spreading cellulitis, systemic infection, or sepsis.
• Use with caution in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Seek clinical advice.

Adverse Effects

• Localised skin sensitivity or irritation at the wound margin. Discontinue if persistent.
• Discolouration of the wound and periwound skin as described above.
• Drying of the wound surface if exudate levels fall significantly during treatment. If this occurs, review whether this product remains appropriate or whether a different dressing is needed.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control Is Suitable For Use On:

• Moderate to heavily exuding chronic wounds including venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers where infection is present or at risk.
• Partial thickness burns producing moderate to heavy exudate.
• Acute traumatic wounds with significant exudate and infection risk.
• Split thickness skin graft donor sites, which typically produce significant exudate in the early post operative period.
• Any wound where both antimicrobial silver activity and exudate absorption are simultaneous clinical priorities.
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control Is Not Suitable For:

• Dry or minimally exuding wounds. For low-exudate infected wounds, consider ACTICOAT Silcryst Nanocrystals or the ACTICOAT FLEX range instead.
• Patients with known allergy to silver.
• Wounds treated with oil-based topical products unless these are removed and the wound is cleaned before application.

Choosing the Right ACTICOAT Product

If the wound has minimal to moderate exudate and requires the dressing to be kept moist: use ACTICOAT Silcryst Nanocrystals, ACTICOAT 7, ACTICOAT FLEX 3, or ACTICOAT FLEX 7 (chosen by wear time and wound location). If the wound produces moderate to heavy exudate and exudate management is a priority alongside antimicrobial protection: use ACTICOAT Moisture Control. If the wound is on a curved or contoured surface: use an ACTICOAT FLEX product. If unsure, consult a tissue viability nurse.

ACTICOAT Moisture Control 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 the 10cm x 20cm size.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy stocking the full range of ACTICOAT antimicrobial dressings alongside a comprehensive selection of primary and secondary wound care products. Our pharmacists are available to advise on product selection. For complex wounds, heavily infected wounds, or wounds that are not healing as expected, we recommend seeking clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district 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 or compromised. Check the expiry date before use. Do not use after the expiry date. Once opened, use immediately. Do not store a used or opened dressing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local 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 the full ACTICOAT range including ACTICOAT Moisture Control, ACTICOAT Silcryst Nanocrystals, ACTICOAT 7, ACTICOAT FLEX 3, and ACTICOAT FLEX 7 alongside a range of other wound care products. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains. Our pharmacists are available to advise on the most appropriate ACTICOAT product for a specific wound type, as well as secondary dressings and other wound care products to support a complete wound management approach.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ACTICOAT Moisture Control Antimicrobial Dressing — Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew Medical Ltd. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS). Wound exudate: effective assessment and management. https://wuwhs.net. Accessed May 2026.
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wound care products — Drug Tariff prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.