Wound caring techniques have evolved so much over the years. It’s not just restricted to regular bandaging and waiting for the wound to heal on its own. Modern techniques prioritize not just recovery but also patient well-being.

Since these techniques are still new, it can be challenging for patients to choose the right technique for specific needs. This article will provide a detailed discussion so that you can make an informed decision. 

5 Modern Wound Care Techniques

Here are five advanced wound care techniques that promote faster healing, reduce pain, and improve recovery outcomes.

1. Alginate Dressing

For years, people have been using cotton gauze for dressings. However, these gauzes can dry out and stick to the wound, causing pain during removal. It also poses a moderate risk of bacterial infection. Alginate dressing appears to be a better solution to the traditional method. 

It’s a natural, absorbent, and biodegradable wound dressing made from brown seaweed. These dressings contain alginate or calcium sodium alginate, which turns into a gel after coming into contact with wound fluid. This gel can absorb up to 20 times its weight in fluid. 

Alginate dressing is beneficial for wounds that are heavily exuding, such as:

• Pressure ulcers
• Venous leg ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Cavity wounds
• Post-operative surgical wounds
• Superficial and partial thickness burns

2. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

NPWT, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, is a modern method to heal wounds faster. It uses a special vacuum device to create suction over the wound. A foam dressing is usually placed on the wound and sealed with a clear bandage. The vacuum increases blood in the wounded area and reduces the amount of fluid. 

This method is ideal for large, deep, or complex wounds that are slow to heal. If you notice any signs of infection or the wound requires drainage, this can be an effective method. 

The benefits of NPWT include:

• The improved blood flow to the wound speeds up healing
• It reduces the risk of infection by removing fluids and harmful bacteria
• This therapy quickens the growth of new, healthy tissue effectively. 
• NPWT minimizes swelling and keeps the wound environment clean

3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

You can opt for HBOT for chronic wounds, severe infections, and conditions like diabetic ulcers, burns, or radiation injury. This technique involves patients breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The procedure is designed to increase oxygen consumption that dissolves in the blood. 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps deal with damaged tissues and fights infections. During the procedure, a patient lies comfortably inside the chamber while breathing in 100% oxygen. This does not take long either, about 60-90 minutes per session. Depending on the severity of the problem, it can take up to 30 sessions over the span of a couple of months. Other benefits of the procedure include:

• Reduces inflammation and promotes faster recovery from infections. 
• Improves the body’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria
• Increases circulations and helps repair radiation-infected tissues.

However, people with a collapsed lung, fever, cold, or recent injury need to avoid this wound care technique. This can be dangerous for them in some ways. 

4. Growth Factor Therapy

The human body naturally contains different growth factors, which are mainly protein. They help your wounds to heal naturally. In growth factor therapy, additional growth factors are introduced to speed up the healing process. These proteins signal cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. This therapy is gaining more attention because of the following benefits:

• Quickening healing 
• Reduced pain
• Improved tissue regeneration 
• Involves simple injections without major procedures
• Along with wounds, it also contributes to skin conditions and hair loss. 

You can benefit from this therapy for different types of wounds. Let it be chronic wounds, surgical wounds, or injuries that heal slowly. This is also a natural process of quickening healing without any major side effects. 

While growth factor therapy is ideal for most, people with specific conditions had better avoid it. This includes low platelet count, chronic infection, and cancer. 

5. Bioengineered Skin Substitutes

It’s an effective technique when you have large wounds. The procedure is carried out by a doctor, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist. They use artificial materials that look and act like real skin. These materials cover and help the wound heal. Reasons for applying the technique include:

• Creates a protective layer to keep the wound safe while it’s healing
• The additional layer protects the skin from infection
• Promotes quicker recovery
• Bioengineered skin can reduce pain and improve mobility

Healthcare professionals suggest this technique when the wound is big, and you have burns, ulcers, or severe injuries. However, people with certain skin conditions or allergies need to avoid skin substitutes. 

Final Words

Modern wound care techniques aim at faster healing. This reduces the pain of the patient and helps them get back to normal life early. Every wound care offers numerous benefits and focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life. You need to discuss with professionals and opt for the one that you find most convenient