Conditions:
Minor Wounds
Related Terms
•
Lacerations, Scrapes, Cuts
Principal Proposed Treatments
•
Careful Wound Cleaning
Other Proposed Treatments
•
Gotu Kola, Amino Acid Cream, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Calendula, Cartilage, Chamomile, Chitosan, Goldenseal, Royal Jelly, St. John's Wort, Garlic, Aloe vera, Bee Propolis
Minor cuts are an ordinary fact of life, and nearly always heal on their own. There is no evidence that antibacterial gels and creams will help wounds heal faster, or prevent infection. In fact, by keeping the air away from a wound, these treatments might actually interfere with healing.
The best approach to minor wounds is also the simplest and most natural: clean the wound well, and keep it clean and exposed to the air. If signs of infection develop, such as redness, oozing, or swelling, a physician should be consulted.
Proposed Treatments for Minor Wounds
Highly preliminary evidence suggests that the herb gotu kola might have general wound-healing properties, as well as help to prevent or treat keloid scars (a particular type of scar that is enlarged and bulging).1,2,3
A small double-blind trial found that the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and threonine applied as a combination cream could help the healing of leg ulcers.4 A variety of nutrients including vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc,5 taken both orally and topically, have also been tried as a treatment for minor wounds, and creams containing A and E are common staples in the hospital. A number of topical herbs have been tried as well, including calendula,6cartilage,7chamomile, chitosan,8goldenseal, royal jelly,9 and St. John's wort, but there is no real evidence as yet that any of these approaches work.
Numerous herbs have antibacterial properties, and for this reason might be helpful for preventing wound infection. However, one of the strongest antibacterial herbs, garlic, can also burn the skin. In addition, if a wound is serious enough that infection is a real risk, physician supervision is essential.
The gel of the Aloe vera plant has a long folk history in the treatment of skin conditions. There is some evidence from human and animal studies that aloe might be helpful for wound healing,10,11 but one study found that aloe gel actually slowed the healing of surgical wounds.12
Animal studies suggest that the honeybee product propolis applied topically may be of benefit in healing wounds.13,14
View References
Last reviewed March 2002 by Medical Review Board
Back to Top
