What happens during wound healing?
• Clotting is one of the first in a series of reactions. It occurs to reduce blood loss. • The warmth, redness and swelling that appears is due to leakage of fluid into the wound. • White blood cells called Leukocytes and Macrophages gang up to destroy bacteria. • Macrophages stimulate growth factors and other important materials that are necessary for the formation of scar tissue. • Epithelial (skin) cells travel across the wound to prepare for closure. • The formation of new collagen, blood vessel formation and pulling together of tissue occurs to reduce the size of the wound. • The last phase of healing involves the reorganization of collagen to maximize tensile strength of the affected area The stages of wound healing among each wound may differ somewhat leading to variations in wound treatment. For instance wounds with minimal drainage may require additional moisture to enhance healing. Some wounds may drain heavily and require more absorptive dressings or an increase in the frequ
