Wounds

A wound is an injury which causes an external or internal break in the skin barrier and body tissue. The wounds can either be open or close. Some of the most common wounds are abrasions, lacerations, rupture, punctures, and penetrating wounds. They usually result due to minor accidents, falls, major trauma, etc.

Causes and Types

The most common causes of injury are either mechanical or chemical or thermal. The wounds can be classified into superficial or deep and open or closed types.

• Closed wound: In this case, the tissue damage occurs beneath the surface of the skin such as bruises and contusions.
• Open wound: In this case the damage occurs to the skin which causes a break in the skin and the damaged tissue is exposed.
• Superficial wounds: Such as abrasions where the skin layers are intact and are usually caused by friction.
• Deep wounds: It damages the layers of the skin and affects the underlying tissue such as a muscle or bone.
• Puncture wounds: These are caused by a sharp pointed object penetrating the skin such as a needle stick, pin prick etc.
• Chronic wounds: Such as bed sores, gangrene, varicose ulcers can develop due to lack of blood supply to the skin in cases of bedridden people, people with diabetes and chronic venous insufficiency.

Management of wounds

• Proper care is necessary to prevent any further infection and to promote healing of the skin.
• Most wounds are superficial and can be treated at home.
• The wounds need immediate attention of first aid including cleansing and dressing.
• Deeper wounds require proper medical attention to prevent infection and further damage to underlying structures like bone, muscle, tendon, arteries and nerves.
• First step is to wash and disinfect the wound to remove the dirt and debris.
• Stop the bleeding by using pressure and elevation to control bleeding.
• Wrap the wound using a sterile gauze or bandage.
• Keep the wound clean and dry.
• A hot or cold compression would relieve the symptoms such as redness and swelling.

Complications

The main complication of a wound is infection. Some of the common complications are

• Lockjaw from Tetanus
• Necrotizing fasciitis caused by bacteria including Clostridium and Streptococcus
• Cellulitis and bacterial infection of wound

Homeopathic Medicines for Wounds

Calendula: It is the best homeopathic medicine for cuts, injuries, open wounds, bruises, ruptured muscles and tendons. It is indicated for raw, open and inflamed wounds with fever. It is very effective for treating cuts and scrapes as an external application. Clean cuts with little or no infection. It is used to fasten the healing process and prevent infections.

Staphysagria: It is a very useful remedy for cuts, incisions, lacerations and stab wounds that are slow to heal. It helps to treat lacerations and extremely painful wounds.

Phosphorus: It is indicated for wounds which bleed profusely, heals and then break open and bleed again. Profuse bleeding with bright red blood.

Hypericum: It is one of the best remedies for injuries which involve tissue damage and nerve damage. Shooting pain with numbness and tingling. For injuries such as crushed finger,puncture wounds, injury from a doornail, etc. Infected wounds, bruises and deep cuts with shooting or cutting pain.

Bellis perennis: It is one of the best homeopathic medicines for injuries or cuts to deeper tissues. Bruises and sprains. Feeling of stiffness or coldness in the injured area.

Calcarea phosphoric: It is useful in treating useful bruises, slow-healing fractures and injuries involving bones. Pain and soreness of the muscles.

Ledum palustre: It is indicated for injuries, cuts or wounds from blunt and pointed objects. Painful puncture wound with sharp object or painful injections. It helps to remove the pus and prevent infections.

Arnica montana: It is very effective to treat many kinds of injuries with contusions and deep seated bruises. It helps to reduce the swelling and promote the healing. It should never be used externally on an open wound or a cut. It is indicated for injuries with pain, bruising and swelling.

Phytolacca: It is indicated for wounds and injuries with tendency to ulceration. It is useful in cases of injuries with soreness and bruises.

Some of the best homeopathic products available in the market to treat cuts and wounds are Schwabe India’s Topi Arnica Cream, Graphites LM, Kreosotum LM, Acidum sulphurosum MT, Ammi visnaga MT, Calendula officinalis MT, Cynodon dactylon MT, Eupatorium perfoliatum MT, Foeniculum vulgare MT, Hamamelis virginica MT, Hypericum perforatum MT, Lycopus europaeus MT, B&T Calendula & Aloe Vera multipurpose cream and Topi Heal Cream, etc.