Wound Care

When an individual injures him or herself, the healing of any wounds takes place in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Inflammation, the first stage, consists of the acute response of the immune system to tissue injury and usually will last up to 3 days in healthy patients. Initial trauma response includes blood vessel constriction and activation of the clotting cascade, both of which serve to reduce blood loss. This is then followed by vessel dilation that allows proteins and other cellular components to the damaged area to combat bacteria and clear cellular debris.

The proliferation stage of wound healing occurs approximately 3 days after injury and may last up to 4 weeks in duration. During this stage, cells migrate to the rim of the wound and connective tissue begins to form. The synthesis and depositing of collagen also occur during this time. The proliferation stage ends with the formation of a red, puckered scar.

During maturation (the remodeling stage), granular tissue formed during the proliferation stage is replaced by collagen and elastin. The redness and swelling of the scar begin to fade, and the tissue regains its normal softness.

There are numerous options in the realm of wound healing that can be employed either alone or in combination together. When selecting options for wound healing, the mechanism of action of the agents available as well as the condition of the wound to be treated should be taken into consideration.

Central Drugs Recommends the following formulations for Wound Care: