ALLEVYN SACRUM

The sacral area is one of the most common sites for pressure ulcers to develop, and one of the most challenging anatomical locations for standard flat dressings to cover adequately. ALLEVYN Sacrum is a hydrocellular foam dressing from Smith+Nephew shaped specifically for the sacral and coccygeal anatomy. Its contoured butterfly shape follows the natural curves of the lower back and gluteal area, providing more consistent wound coverage and better adhesive border adhesion than a standard flat dressing applied to this curved surface. It contains no silver and no antimicrobial agent. Available in two sizes to accommodate different sacral wound dimensions. No prescription is required.

ALLEVYN Sacrum is a regulated Class IIb medical device from Smith+Nephew. It is a three-layer hydrocellular polyurethane foam dressing shaped in a contoured butterfly format for use on the sacral and coccygeal area. The three layers are: a non-adherent wound contact layer that sits directly on the wound, a hydrocellular foam absorbent core, and a moisture vapour permeable film backing with an integrated acrylic adhesive border shaped to follow the sacral and gluteal contours.

ALLEVYN Sacrum contains no silver, no fluid lock layer, and no silicone adhesive border. It is a straightforward sacral foam dressing in the standard ALLEVYN range. Its clinical position is as the foundational sacral dressing: suitable for clean sacral pressure ulcers and healing sacral wounds where exudate management and anatomical contouring are the priorities, the wound is not infected, and the standard acrylic adhesive border is appropriate for the periwound skin condition.

ALLEVYN Sacrum is available in two sizes: 17.2cm x 17.5cm for moderate sacral wounds, and 22cm x 22cm for larger sacral wounds. Having two sizes allows more precise matching of the dressing to the wound dimensions, which is clinically relevant because the foam pad must cover the entire wound and the adhesive border must rest on intact periwound skin on all sides.

ALLEVYN Sacrum is indicated for use on sacral and coccygeal pressure ulcers grades 2 to 4 with moderate to heavy exudate, and for other clean moderately exuding wounds in the sacral region.

ALLEVYN Sacrum contains no antimicrobial agent. It is not appropriate for infected sacral wounds. If the wound shows signs of infection, seek clinical assessment. ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum provides silver sulfate antimicrobial management in a similarly contoured format. For wounds where seated compression makes rewetting a concern, ALLEVYN Life Sacrum provides four-layer fluid lock technology in the same sacral shape.

Contoured Butterfly Shape

The contoured butterfly shape of ALLEVYN Sacrum is designed to follow the curved anatomy of the sacrum and gluteal region. Standard flat or square dressings applied to the sacral area tend to wrinkle, lift at the edges, and fail to conform adequately to the body contours. The contoured shape provides better wound coverage, more consistent adhesive border adhesion against the surrounding skin, and reduces the ingress of moisture from incontinence under the dressing edges.

Non Adherent Wound Contact Layer

The innermost layer is non adherent to the wound bed, allowing wound exudate to pass through into the foam core above while minimising trauma to the wound surface at removal.

Hydrocellular Foam Absorbent Core

The foam core absorbs wound exudate upward from the wound contact layer and retains it within the dressing, preventing pooling at the wound bed, reducing maceration of the periwound skin, and maintaining a moist healing environment at the wound surface. The foam retains absorbed fluid under light compression, reducing the risk of exudate being redistributed toward the wound when the patient is seated or repositioned.

Moisture Vapour Permeable Film with Acrylic Adhesive Border

The outer film allows moisture vapour to evaporate through the dressing while remaining waterproof to external fluids. The integrated acrylic adhesive border holds the dressing in position without a secondary dressing for most patients. The contoured border shape is designed to adhere consistently along the sacral and gluteal curves, reducing the wrinkling and edge lifting that occurs with standard square borders applied to this area.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• 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

• Select the appropriate size - 17.2cm x 17.5cm for moderate sacral wounds, 22cm x 22cm for larger sacral wounds. Ensure the foam pad covers the entire wound and the border rests on intact periwound skin on all sides.
• Position the dressing with the foam pad centred over the wound. The contoured butterfly shape should align with the sacral anatomy.
• 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 Sacrum can be worn for up to seven days depending on exudate levels and wound condition.
• Change earlier if exudate approaches the foam pad edge, the border lifts, incontinence soiling compromises the dressing, or 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 one hand.
• Assess the wound at each change. Monitor for signs of infection and review whether ALLEVYN Sacrum remains appropriate.
• Incontinence is common in patients with sacral pressure ulcers. ALLEVYN Sacrum has a waterproof film backing that provides some protection. If incontinence frequently compromises border adhesion, incontinence management strategies alongside the dressing management plan are important. Seek clinical guidance.

ALLEVYN Sacrum 17.2cm x 17.5cm

The smaller of the two sacral sizes, suitable for moderate sacral pressure ulcers and sacral wounds of moderate dimensions where the foam pad coverage and adhesive border of this size provide adequate wound coverage and periwound adhesion. Choose this size when the wound and periwound area fit within the coverage dimensions of this format.

ALLEVYN Sacrum 22cm x 22cm

The larger size, suitable for more extensive sacral pressure ulcers and larger sacral wound areas where greater foam pad coverage is needed. The 22cm x 22cm contoured butterfly shape provides a broader wound contact area with a correspondingly wider adhesive border margin for larger sacral wounds.

When selecting a size, the foam pad must cover the entire wound bed and the adhesive border must rest on intact periwound skin on all sides. If the 22cm x 22cm size does not provide adequate coverage for the wound, seek clinical guidance from a tissue viability nurse or district nurse.

Do Not Use ALLEVYN 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 Sacrum contains no antimicrobial agent.
• The wound is dry or minimally exuding - an absorbent foam may desiccate the wound surface.

Precautions

• ALLEVYN Sacrum is a single use product. Do not reuse or reapply a used dressing.
• Sacral pressure ulcers can deteriorate rapidly. Monitor closely at each dressing change and seek urgent clinical assessment if the wound is worsening.
• For patients with fragile periwound skin where the acrylic border causes skin stripping or trauma at removal, consider ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum (silicone adhesive border) as an alternative.
• Incontinence management is an important part of sacral wound care alongside dressing selection.
• 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. Consider silicone border alternatives for fragile periwound skin.
• Wound desiccation if exudate falls significantly, reassess dressing choice.

ALLEVYN Sacrum Is Suitable For

• Clean, non infected sacral pressure ulcers grades 2 to 4 with moderate to heavy exudate where exudate management and anatomical contouring are the clinical priorities
• Patients where the standard three-layer foam and acrylic adhesive border are appropriate for the wound and periwound skin condition
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

Pharmacy Planet stocks a full range of sacral dressings. ALLEVYN Sacrum (standard three-layer foam, acrylic border, two sizes) is suitable for clean wounds where standard foam is adequate. ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum configurations use a silicone border for fragile periwound skin. ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum adds silver sulfate for infected or at-risk wounds. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum adds fluid lock technology for wounds where seated compression makes rewetting a concern. Choose based on the wound infection status, periwound skin condition, and whether fluid lock protection is clinically indicated.

ALLEVYN 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 two sizes: 17.2cm x 17.5cm and 22cm x 22cm.

Pharmacy Planet stocks the full sacral dressing range including ALLEVYN Sacrum, ALLEVYN Ag Sacrum, ALLEVYN Life Sacrum, and the ALLEVYN Gentle Border Sacrum configurations. Our pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate sacral dressing for a specific wound.

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 signs of systemic 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 ALLEVYN Sacrum in both available sizes alongside the full sacral dressing range and the complete ALLEVYN product portfolio. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

Our pharmacists are available to advise on size selection, sacral dressing choice, and when clinical referral for wound assessment is appropriate.

References

1. Smith+Nephew. ALLEVYN 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.