WOUND CARE
In wound treatment, we pursue three basic goals: to shorten the healing time, reduce the number of dressing changes, and prevent possible complications.
Before starting treatment and with each dressing change, both acute and chronic wounds are first assessed, then further steps are defined.
TIME CONCEPT is a modern and the most popular approach to local wound care in the world.
TIME IS AN ACRONYM THAT GUIDES THE STEP-BY-STEP ASSESSMENT OF THE WOUND AND HELPS DETERMINE THE TREATMENT STRATEGY.
Before starting treatment and with each dressing change, both acute and chronic wounds are first assessed, then further steps are defined. TIME CONCEPT is a modern and the most popular approach to local wound care in the world.
T = tissue (assessment of the predominant tissue type),
I = infection and inflammation (infection and inflammation management),
M = moisture (regulation of exudate, moisture balance),
E = edges, epithelialization (closing the wound from the edges).
Depending on the predominant tissue in the wound, we decide whether the goal will be to remove the necrotic or other non-vital tissue or to promote the formation of granulation tissue. The processes of inflammation and infection in the wound should be controlled or prevented. The moist environment is the best in the wound healing process. Assessment of the wound exudate means determining whether the wound is dry and therefore needs additional hydration or there is too much exudate that needs to be regulated. Usually, the regulation of heavy exudate is associated with reduced inflammation and infection in the wound. With the right approach to wound care, the healing process progresses spontaneously, the wound heals and closes from the edges.
Patients with wounds should be treated holistically. Local wound care is an important part of the treatment, including the choice of the dressing that will create the most reciprocal effects, thus accelerating the healing process:
A proper wound dressing should:
- remove necrotic and non-vital tissue from the wound,
- reduce inflammation,
- prevent infection,
- absorb wound exudate,
- create a moist environment,
- promote granulation and epithelialization.
ACUTE WOUND TREATMENT
Before covering the wound with a plaster or other dressing, take care of hand hygiene and proper wound cleaning.
Rinse the wound under warm running water of drinking quality or saline solution. Remove impurities or dead tissue if present. Gently dry the area around the wound and apply the dressing or plaster.
To accelerate acute wound healing, it is important to provide a moist environment, prevent an infection, and mechanically protect the wound. Vivamel dressings provide all of the above.
CHRONIC WOUND TREATMENT
By definition, chronic wound is a wound that does not heal within 12 weeks. It is called an ulcer. Ulcers develop from acute wounds where the processes of inflammation and infection last for too long and the body cannot eliminate on its own. Other associated diseases or improper approach to wound care may also contribute to ulcer formation.
In chronic wound treatment, it is also important to treat the surrounding area of the wound properly. If the treatment is inadequate, the edges of the wound are often dirty, crusty, fibrinous, full of dead tissue and foreign matter. Cleaning and regular debridement are very important. This is the only way to reduce the bacterial load in the wound and remove dead, non-vital tissue, to prevent biofilm formation, and improve conditions in the wound.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF MEDICAL CHESTNUT HONEY IN WOUND CARE
VIVAMEL wound dressings contain medical chestnut honey that displays exceptional therapeutic potential in the treatment of both chronic and acute wounds. Among the types of honey, chestnut honey stands out for its high content of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and aromatic and amino acids. Potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, as well as proline, kynurenic acid, and glucose oxidase are particularly important for wound healing. Due to its high sugar content, honey has an osmotic effect. This activates autolytic debridement, reduces the bacterial burden, triggers a local immune response, creates a moist environment in the wound, reduces the inflammatory process, and accelerates wound healing. The acidic pH of honey contributes further to establishment of an unfavourable environment for microorganisms.
The main advantages of medical chestnut honey are the promotion of dead tissue removal (debridement) and wound bed cleaning, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, and stimulation of the local immune response in the wound – all due to its osmotic activity. Kynurenic acid, which is uniquely present in chestnut honey, destabilizes biofilm and prevents its formation. Biofilm is almost always present in wounds that do not heal within four weeks.
The reduction of bacterial infection and inflammation in the wound also results in a reduction in the unpleasant odour that is often present in chronic wounds. The acidic pH of chestnut honey helps to regulate the level of metalloproteinases in the phase of wound proliferation and thus stimulates collagen synthesis.
Additionally, thanks to its content of potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and proline,
medical chestnut honey also accelerates the phase of proliferation in the wound, i.e., the process of granulation and epithelialization.
Due to its osmotic activity, chestnut honey creates a moist environment in the wound that promotes healing. As the infection and inflammation reduce, the amount of wound exudate also gradually decreases.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT VIVAMEL DRESSING?
INFECTED SURGICAL WOUND
Choose a dressing with antimicrobial effect that also prevents formation of biofilm.
ABRASION
Choose a dressing that prevents wound infection and promotes epithelisation.
DIABETIC FOOT ULCER
Choose a dressing that prevents wound infection. It is important to relieve the affected area.
PRESSURE ULCER
Choose a dressing that prevents wound infection and provides mechanical protection. It is important to prevent pressure on the affected area, which is achieved by regularly changing positions.
WOUND WITH MACERATED SURROUNDING SKIN
Choose a dressing that can stretch over the edges of the wound and protects the surrounding area.
ROAD RASH AFTER A CYCLING ACCIDENT
Choose a dressing that prevents wound infection and promotes epithelisation.