In daily life, we inevitably encounter various wounds, from minor abrasions and cuts to serious injuries. Proper wound care is crucial for preventing unsightly scars. Wound healing is related to our constitution, but are there other care methods? This article introduces four major principles of wound care to help you better manage wounds and reduce the chances of scarring.
First, why is it essential to pay attention to the wound healing process? Wound healing primarily occurs in four stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The hemostatic phase is where bleeding stops, as platelets quickly gather to prevent blood loss. This is followed by the inflammatory phase, during which immune cells work to clear bacteria and foreign substances from the wound, which is a critical part of the healing process.
However, if inflammation is too severe, it may lead to poor wound healing, causing symptoms like redness, swelling, and pain. During this process, we can assess the condition of the wound using the TIME principle. The ‘T’ in TIME stands for Tissue Debridement, which involves cleaning the wound with saline to remove debris and maintain cleanliness.
Next, the ‘I’ in TIME stands for Infection and Inflammation. If bacteria remain in the tissue for too long, it may form a difficult-to-eradicate biofilm. In such cases, seeking a doctor’s help and using appropriate antibiotics can promote healing.
‘M’ in TIME refers to Moisture Balance. Many people believe wounds should be kept dry; however, appropriate moisture during the healing of acute wounds can actually promote cell growth and speed up healing. Therefore, we can consider using artificial skin or hydrogels to maintain moisture, provided there is no infection.
Lastly, ‘E’ represents the normal growth of cells at the wound edges (Edge Effect). Cleaning abnormal tissue from the wound edges and maintaining a healthy growth environment will aid in healing.
After entering the proliferation phase, keeping an appropriately moist environment remains very important. The signals required for cell growth during this period primarily come from growth factors, which are supported by a moist environment.
If you still experience poor healing during the wound care process, it may be due to incorrect dressing changes. Many people simply apply ointment to the wound during dressing changes, neglecting to thoroughly clean away old exudate and inflamed areas, which can lead to increased infection. Therefore, it is essential to clean the wound thoroughly before applying any medication.
Regarding the issue of pigmentation, certain factors can influence it, such as prolonged sun exposure. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C can help lighten wound pigmentation, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
Wound care is fundamentally a scientific process that requires appropriate responses based on the condition of the wound. We hope these suggestions help you, allowing each wound to heal smoothly and avoid scarring.