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Wound Healing
Repair the damage to your skin and other soft tissues by caring for affected areas and focusing on your overall health. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Deal with deficiencies
Stick to a healthy diet and take a multivitamin to prevent deficiencies that can slow wound healing
- Get support from vitamin C
Take at least 1,000 mg a day of vitamin C to promote connective tissue repair
- Try on topicals
Apply an ointment containing zinc, chondroitin sulfate, and/or gotu kola to speed healing of skin wounds
- Discover the benefits of bromelain
To reduce swelling and speed the healing time for surgical wounds and soft tissue injuries, take several hundred milligrams a day of this pineapple-derived enzyme during the first several days after surgery or injury
Also indexed as:
- cleaning wounds,
- first aid,
- wound care,
- wound cleaning
About this treatment
About This Condition
Wound healing is the process of repair that follows injury to the skin and other soft tissues.
Wounds may result from trauma or from a surgical incision. In addition, pressure ulcers (also known as decubitus ulcers or bed sores), a type of skin ulcer, might also be considered wounds. The capacity of a wound to heal depends in part on its depth, as well as on the overall health and nutritional status of the individual.
Following injury, an inflammatory response occurs and the cells below the dermis (the deepest skin layer) begin to increase collagen (connective tissue) production. Later, the epithelial tissue (the outer skin layer) is regenerated. Dietary modifications and nutritional and herbal supplements may improve the quality of wound healing by influencing these reparative processes or by limiting the damaging effects of inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms include swelling, stiffness, tenderness, discoloration, skin tightness, scabbing, itching, and scar formation.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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