How elemental silver turns to ionic silver in antimicrobial silver dressings?

Answer 1

The way I see it: If bacteria comes in contact with silver in any form, its cell menbrane is deactivated. I expect that the silver may be spray glued onto the bandage in a powder form to form a film, or in a form that can easily detach into micro particles from friction. Some silver atoms may rub off just by being in contact with the wound from solid silver also, as in licking a silver spoon. Also, some silver ions may form in the moist acidic environment of the wound and these silver ions do the same thing. If infection starts to develop the silver that can get in contact with bacteria, either as a silver particle or as a silver ion, acts as an antibiotic, to the degree it can cover the surface area of the wound. I don't think its as good as an antibiotic cream that gives greater coverage of the wound surface area. There is also the issue that silver deactivates enzymes, and there may be good enzymes at work that may be inhibited by silver in healing the wound. On the other hand, there are reports that silver accelerates healing - for bones especially. Who knows what is really going on? It could be that simply covering up the wound with anything clean will give the same beneficial effect as the silver bandage, and it does not matter what metal they spray on the bandage. Could be just a money grab to cash in on anew thing. If you believe it works then it works sort of thing. Somebody should do a controlled experiment and report the results so we all know for (more) certain.