news | 03.06.2024
Grandma's wisdom about wounds: time for an update
The idea that scabs are necessary for healing stems from a time when advanced wound care products were not available. Scabs may seem like a natural protective mechanism, but they can actually slow healing and lead to larger scars.
When you cut yourself or fall and break the skin, your body reacts as follows:
- Bleeding: Once the skin is damaged, blood vessels start bleeding.
- Blood clotting: The body sends platelets to the wound to form a blood clot, stopping the bleeding and creating a temporary scab.
- Inflammatory response: White blood cells gather around the wound to clean up bacteria and debris and prevent infections.
- Tissue repair: Skin cells start multiplying and forming new tissues. Skin cells and collagen repair the damaged skin.
- Healing and closure: Over time, new skin cells form the outer layer of the skin, and the scab falls off, often leaving a scar.
The benefits of modern wound care
- Infection prevention: An open wound exposed to the air is at higher risk of infection from exposure to bacteria and debris. Using a plaster or self-adhesive wound dressing provides an effective barrier against these contaminants.
- Faster healing: Scientific research shows that wounds heal faster in a moist environment. Plasters and dressings, such as hydrogel plasters, help maintain this ideal environment and speed up the healing process.
- Less scarring: A moist wound environment prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab, resulting in fewer scars and a smoother healing process.
- Pain relief: Dry wounds can be painful due to the tight skin. Modern plasters and dressings keep the wound moist and reduce pain and irritation.
- Protection against further damage: Uncovered wounds are vulnerable to further damage from knocks or friction. A plaster or dressing protects the wound and prevents it from reopening.
How a moist wound environment helps
When a wound is covered and kept moist, the healing process benefits in the following ways:
- Prevention of dehydration: Dehydration of the wound is prevented, preventing the formation of a hard scab that could slow healing.
- Optimal temperature: A covered wound maintains a constant, warm temperature, promoting blood circulation and increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the wound.
- More efficient wound cleaning: White blood cells and other immune cells can work better in a moist environment to clear bacteria and dead cells.
Modern wound care in practice
Although grandma's advice came from a good heart, we now know that modern wound care is much more effective. Plasters, self-adhesive dressings, and hydrogel plasters provide protection, promote faster healing, and minimize scarring. These products are essential for effective wound care.
