Wound care ointment benefits

The core function of wound care ointment is to create a suitable moist repair environment for the wound by forming a protective airtight/semi-airtight barrier on the wound surface, while blocking the invasion of external pathogenic microorganisms, helping to relieve redness, swelling, stinging and other discomforts, shortening the overall healing cycle and reducing the probability of scarring.

When I was working as a volunteer helper at a community clinic last week, I met a young girl who had just graduated and fell while riding a shared bicycle to catch the subway. She had a large scratch on her forearm that was still leaking tissue fluid. I hurriedly applied iodophor and applied two layers of waterproof band-aid at home. When I came to change the dressing, the band-aid stuck to the dry area of ​​the exudate, causing her to hold my arm and shed tears. I used normal saline to slowly wash away the residual iodine and debris on the wound, and applied a thin layer of nursing ointment containing petroleum jelly + polyhexamethylene biguanide. I told her not to put any more band-aids on her, as long as she didn't get any dirt on her. The next day she came around specifically to show me that the originally wet wound had dried up and was no longer painful. When she came back on the fourth day, there was basically only a layer of light pink new skin left, and not even a scab was attached.

In fact, there are two completely different views in the surgical circle on whether to use ointment for wound care. Supporters of traditional dry therapy believe that as long as the debridement is thorough, keeping the wound dry and breathable, and allowing the scab to fall off naturally is the most reliable way to repair it. On the contrary, ointment tends to suffocate the wound, especially when it is applied thickly, which will increase the risk of infection. The wet healing school that has gradually become popular in the past two decades believes that qualified wound care ointment can avoid secondary damage caused by dry scabs and pull new granulations, and can also reduce inflammatory reactions, thereby reducing the probability of scar hyperplasia. To be honest, there is nothing wrong with both of these statements. It is just that the type of wound to be adapted and personal needs are different.

Of course, no matter where you stand, you must first understand the ingredients of the ointment in your hand. The efficacy of different ingredients is not even the slightest difference. If you use a basic care ointment with a pure Vaseline base, don’t expect it to be anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Its biggest function is to lock in water and isolate bacteria. It is suitable for small wounds that have no exudation and are about to scab. Applying this ointment to the hangnail cracks on the hands and the cracks on the heels is more effective than anything else. My mother stocked up a few cans every winter. After applying it at night, put on cotton socks to sleep, and the cracks would not hurt the next day. If mild antibacterial ingredients such as povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine are added to the ointment, it will be more friendly to scrapes and cuts with slight exudation and high risk of contamination. It is equivalent to adding an extra layer of antibacterial protection in addition to the physical barrier. There is no need to repeatedly apply iodophor to stimulate delicate new tissues, which can save you a lot of trouble. There are also some ointments that add ingredients such as growth factors and asiaticin to assist repair, which can promote the growth of new tissue and lighten pigmentation. They are more suitable for small wounds on the face or people with scars. Of course, this is also controversial. Many clinicians believe that as long as the own repair ability is normal, there is no need to add these additional ingredients, which may increase the probability of allergies. This depends on individual needs, and it is not necessary to buy expensive ones.

Let me talk about some of the misunderstandings that I have come across the most. Many people think that the thicker the ointment, the better. Last month, a young man wore new shoes and broke his heel. He applied a thick layer of ointment at home and covered it with two layers of gauze. When he came to change the dressing, the entire wound was white and edematous, and the healing was slowed down. In fact, as long as you apply a thin layer, it can just cover the wound without sticking to clothes. If it is too thick, it will affect the gas exchange of the wound and slow down the healing speed. There are also people who apply ointment to any wound. If it is a deep wound that has suppurated, a puncture wound caused by a nail, or a wound scratched or bitten by a cat or dog, do not just apply it at home. Go to the hospital for debridement and vaccination. At this time, the antibacterial effect of the ointment is not enough. Instead, it will trap pus and pathogenic microorganisms deep in the wound, aggravating the risk of infection.

In general, wound care ointment is neither a panacea nor a gimmick to collect IQ taxes. Choosing the right ingredients and using it in the right scenario can indeed save you a lot of suffering and heal much faster. If you are really not sure whether your wound can be treated and which one to use, it is much more reliable to go downstairs and see the nurse at the community clinic for a look than to search online for a long time.