The important role of medication in wound care
Pharmacotherapy and Complementary Medicine
(Medication Treatment and Adjunctive Therapy)
Wound care for Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) is one of the core aspects of treatment. Choosing the right medication post-surgery can not only promote wound healing and reduce the risk of bacterial infection and complications such as amputation, but it can also help patients quickly return to normal activities and maintain a good quality of life.
Principles of self wound care1
- Observe changes in the wound daily
Monitor the size of the wound, the color of the tissue, exudate, and any odor. If the wound expands, tissue turns black or necrotic, or there is inflammation and infection, return to the hospital immediately.
- Regular follow-up visits and patient care：
DFU wounds take time to heal. Patience and consistent care along with regular follow-up visits require the joint effort of patients and their families.
- Do not use unidentified herbs or folk remedies：
It is natural to be eager for improvement, but unidentified folk remedies not only fail to help the wound but may also increase the risk of worsening or infection.
Method of changing wound dressings or medications
DFU patients should change their wound dressings or medications daily as instructed by healthcare professionals. The overall process is as follows：
- Wash hands with soap and put on gloves
- Clean the wound with sterile cotton swabs and saline solution
- Apply medication evenly to the affected area using a sterile cotton swab
- Cover the wound with sterile gauze, then secure with breathable tape, elastic bandage, or a net sleeve
- Finally, dispose of the gloves and remember to wash your hands.
Medication for wound inflammation
Previous research has indicated that excessive and recurrent inflammatory responses are one of the reasons DFUs are difficult to heal2. To overcome this challenge, scientists have sought potential solutions from ancestral wisdom.
According to literature studies, "Patchouli" and "Tiger grass" have anti-inflammatory effects and promote wound recovery3. These two herbs, after scientific cultivation, extraction, compliant pharmaceutical processes, and most importantly, large-scale clinical trials, have been proven to regulate macrophages, inhibiting the inflammatory response and accelerating wound healing. New medications for DFU are now approved by health authorities in various countries, bringing a glimmer of hope to patients long suffering from DFU4.
Recommendations and guidelines from international medical associations
Currently, there is a wide array of dressings for wound treatment, each with characteristics that require attention. The American Diabetes Association recommends that wound condition should be carefully assessed and choose dressings and medications for DFU wounds that have been proven in clinical trials5to reduce complication risks and help patients recover sooner.
Want to know what complications diabetic ulcers can cause?
"DFU Complications: The Consequences of Progressive Deterioration"
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Reference：
- Kavitha KV, et al. World J Diabetes. 2014 Aug 15; 5(4): 546–556.
- Deng H, et al. J Diabetes. 2023 Apr; 15(4): 299–312.
- Huang YY, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Sep 1;4(9):e2122607.
- https://www.onenessbio.com/tc/medicine_detail2_0.htm
- ADA Professional Practice Committee. Diabetes Care. 2024 Jan 1;47(Supplement_1):S5-S10.