ALLEVYN LIFE SACRUM

Sacral pressure ulcers present a specific combination of clinical challenges: the curved sacral anatomy requires a shaped dressing, and the regular compression the sacral area experiences when a patient sits or is repositioned requires a dressing that resists rewetting. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum addresses both challenges. It applies the four-layer fluid lock technology of the ALLEVYN Life range to a contoured butterfly shape designed for the sacral and coccygeal area. The fluid lock layer retains absorbed exudate within the dressing even when the dressing is compressed, while the contoured shape provides better anatomical coverage than a standard flat dressing applied to this curved area. It contains no silver and no antimicrobial agent. Available in a single size of 21.6cm x 23cm. No prescription is required.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Smith+Nephew. It is the sacral-contoured version of ALLEVYN Life, combining the four-layer fluid lock construction of that product range with the butterfly shape designed for the sacral and coccygeal anatomy.

The four-layer construction matches that of ALLEVYN Life: a non-adherent wound contact layer, a highly absorbent foam core, a fluid lock layer, and a moisture vapour permeable film backing. The film backing is shaped into a contoured butterfly form with an integrated acrylic adhesive border that follows the natural curves of the lower back and gluteal area. This combination of the fluid lock layer and the sacral contouring makes ALLEVYN Life Sacrum specifically designed for the clinical demands of sacral pressure ulcer management.

The fluid lock layer is the feature that distinguishes the ALLEVYN Life range from standard ALLEVYN foam dressings. When a patient with a sacral pressure ulcer sits in a chair or is repositioned against a backrest, the sacral dressing is subjected to significant compression. In a standard foam dressing, this compression can redistribute absorbed exudate back toward the wound surface, a process called rewetting. The fluid lock layer resists this redistribution, helping to maintain the wound surface in a more consistently managed state throughout the wear period.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum contains no silver and no antimicrobial agent. It is suited to clean sacral pressure ulcers and healing sacral wounds where rewetting resistance and anatomical contouring are the clinical priorities. For infected or at-risk sacral wounds, ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum provides silver sulfate antimicrobial activity in a similarly contoured format.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum contains no antimicrobial agent. It is not appropriate for infected sacral wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, offensive odour, or a wound that is deteriorating, seek clinical assessment. ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum (silver sulfate) is the appropriate antimicrobial alternative for infected or at-risk sacral wounds.

Layer 1: Non Adherent Wound Contact Surface

The innermost layer sits directly on the wound surface and is non adherent, allowing exudate to pass through while minimising trauma to the wound bed at removal.

Layer 2: Absorbent Foam Core

The highly absorbent foam wicks exudate upward from the wound contact layer and holds it away from the wound surface, preventing maceration of the wound bed and periwound skin and maintaining a moist healing environment at the wound contact surface.

Layer 3: Fluid Lock Layer

The fluid lock layer captures absorbed exudate and retains it within the dressing structure. When the dressing is subjected to compression — as occurs regularly with sacral dressings when seated patients rest against chair backs or when patients are repositioned, a standard foam dressing may allow absorbed fluid to be redistributed back toward the wound surface. The fluid lock layer significantly reduces this rewetting effect. For sacral pressure ulcers, where seated compression is a daily occurrence, this property helps maintain the wound environment more consistently between dressing changes.

Contoured Butterfly Shape with Acrylic Adhesive Border

The outer film layer is formed into a contoured butterfly shape with an integrated acrylic adhesive border. The contoured shape follows the sacral and gluteal anatomy, providing better wound coverage and border adhesion in this curved area than a standard flat dressing. The adhesive border holds the dressing in position without a secondary dressing for most patients. The butterfly shape is designed to reduce the wrinkling and lifting that flat dressings experience in the sacral area, which in turn reduces the ingress of moisture from incontinence and improves exudate containment.

Moisture Vapour Permeable Film

The film backing allows moisture vapour to escape through the dressing while remaining waterproof to external fluids, maintaining absorbent capacity throughout the wear period.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Gently dry the periwound skin. The acrylic adhesive border requires dry intact periwound skin for effective adhesion.
• Apply a skin barrier product to any macerated or moisture-damaged periwound skin before placing the dressing border.
• Do not apply creams, lotions, or oil-based products to the area where the border will contact the skin.

Application

• Position the dressing with the foam pad centred over the wound. The contoured butterfly shape should align with the sacral anatomy, with the border following the natural curves of the lower back and gluteal area.
• Remove the release liner from the adhesive border in sections and press firmly onto the surrounding intact skin.
• No secondary dressing is required for most patients.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• ALLEVYN Life Sacrum can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels and wound condition.
• Change earlier if exudate approaches the edge of the foam pad, if the border lifts, if incontinence soiling compromises dressing integrity, or if the wound condition changes.
• To remove, lift one edge of the adhesive border and peel slowly back parallel to the skin surface. Support the periwound skin with the other hand.
• Assess the wound at each change. Monitor for signs of infection and review whether ALLEVYN Life Sacrum remains appropriate or whether a different dressing is indicated.
• Incontinence is common in patients with sacral pressure ulcers. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum has a waterproof film backing that provides some protection. However, if incontinence frequently compromises the border adhesion or dressing integrity, incontinence management strategies should be used alongside dressing management. Seek clinical guidance.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum — 21.6cm x 23cm

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum is available in a single size of 21.6cm x 23cm in a contoured butterfly shape. This size is designed to provide adequate foam pad coverage for the typical range of sacral pressure ulcer dimensions encountered in clinical practice, with an adequately sized adhesive border margin on the surrounding intact skin.

If the wound is significantly larger than the foam pad area of this dressing, seek clinical guidance from a tissue viability nurse or district nurse. For very large sacral wounds, an alternative dressing approach or combination of dressings may be required.

Do Not Use ALLEVYN Life Sacrum If

• The patient has a known allergy or hypersensitivity to acrylic adhesive or any component of the dressing.
• The wound is infected or at risk of infection. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum contains no antimicrobial agent. Use ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum for infected or at-risk sacral wounds.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding, an absorbent foam may desiccate the wound surface.

Precautions

• ALLEVYN Life Sacrum is a single use product. Do not reuse or reapply a used dressing.
• Sacral pressure ulcers can deteriorate rapidly. Monitor the wound closely at each dressing change and seek urgent clinical assessment if the wound is worsening.
• Incontinence management is an important component of sacral wound care alongside dressing selection. Seek clinical guidance on a combined skin and wound management plan.
• For patients with fragile periwound skin where the acrylic border causes trauma at removal, consider ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum (silicone adhesive border) as an alternative, noting this does not include a fluid lock layer.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place. Remove before MRI procedures.

Adverse Effects

• Skin sensitivity, irritation, or stripping at the acrylic adhesive border on fragile periwound skin. Consider silicone border alternatives for fragile skin.
• Wound desiccation if exudate levels fall - reassess dressing choice.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum Is Suitable For

• Clean, non infected sacral pressure ulcers grades 2 to 4 where both anatomical contouring and fluid lock rewetting resistance are clinical priorities
• Patients who spend regular time seated, where sacral dressing compression during sitting makes rewetting resistance particularly relevant
• Healing sacral wounds where infection has been managed and ongoing exudate management with fluid lock protection is the clinical priority
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Pharmacy Planet stocks several sacral dressings. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum has four-layer fluid lock construction and an acrylic adhesive border, choose when rewetting resistance and anatomical contouring are the priorities and the periwound skin is robust. ALLEVYN Adhesive Sacrum has a standard three-layer foam and acrylic border, choose when fluid lock is not needed and the wound is clean. ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum has silver sulfate antimicrobial, a silicone border, and standard foam, choose when infection management is the priority. ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum configurations have a silicone border and standard foam, choose when gentle border adhesion is needed and the wound is clean.

ALLEVYN Life Sacrum 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 single size of 21.6cm x 23cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks the full sacral dressing range including ALLEVYN Life Sacrum, ALLEVYN Adhesive Sacrum, ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum, and the ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum configurations. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate sacral dressing based on wound condition, infection status, and patient skin condition.

Sacral pressure ulcers should be managed under clinical supervision. Seek assessment from a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP for any sacral wound that is worsening, not healing, or associated with systemic signs of infection.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight 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, apply immediately.
• 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 stocking the full sacral dressing range including ALLEVYN Life Sacrum, ALLEVYN Adhesive Sacrum, ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum, and ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum configurations. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on which sacral dressing is most appropriate for a specific wound, and on when clinical referral is appropriate.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum Wound Dressing — Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew Medical Ltd. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Pressure ulcers: prevention and management (CG179). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg179. Accessed May 2026.
3. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed May 2026.