[Vision2020] Next: Is Hot Fudge Nonfattening?

[Art Deco]

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August 7, 2006
Editorial
Next: Is Hot Fudge Nonfattening? 
It's not often that a brief news item can totally upend our thinking on an issue. But that is what happened to us upon reading an inquiry into the claim that wounds heal better when exposed to air, as described in last Tuesday's Science Times.

For years now, most of us have followed a time-honored ritual in treating the small cuts and bloody scrapes that a harsh world inflicts upon our tender skin. First, clean up the wound and stop the bleeding. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment to kill all the germs. Leave the wound uncovered so that it can heal in the open air. And no picking at the scab when it forms, no matter how bad it itches or how temptingly it raises its ugly crust. That, we were assured by our parents and school nurses, is the fastest and safest route to healing.

But now it turns out that many researchers and dermatologists have known better for quite some time. Today's best medical advice: skip the antibiotic cream, cover the wound to protect it from the air and, yes, chip away at the scab once it has stopped the bleeding. 

Exposing the wound to air slows healing because it creates a dry environment that promotes cell death. Far better to keep the wound moist and covered so that blood vessels regenerate faster and inflammation is minimal. Vaseline will do just fine as a moistening agent. Skip the antibiotic ointments lest they cause swelling and an allergic reaction on the skin. And don't leave the scab on too long, lest it leave a larger scar than you would want.

Besides, there's an even better reason to stick a bandage on that bleeding knee. Countless parents have learned that the mere act of applying a Band-Aid can have a remarkable soothing effect on the teary victim. 
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