New 'spray-on skin' heals ulcers faster: Study

A new study suggests that the new age 'spray-on skin' can help in chronic ulcers. Chronic ulcers can be reduced by about 50% by use of this new technology. The spray quickly healed venous leg ulcers (the most common type) and improved the chances of wound closure in 228 patients. Those receiving the most effective dosage were 52 percent more likely to see their ulcer clear up after three months than untreated patients. They also experienced a 16 percent greater reduction in wound area after seven days. In addition, the treatment helped wounds to close 21 days earlier.

Herbert Slade,said: "The treatment we tested in this study has the potential to vastly improve recovery times and overall recovery from leg ulcers without the need for a skin graft." People with restricted movement, obese individuals and those with varicose veins all face a greater risk of developing venous leg ulcers.

Standard treatment consists of compression bandages, infection control and wound dressings. However, this only heals between 30 to 70 percent of ulcers. While skin grafts have been used, this results in another wound at the site from which the transplanted skin is taken.

Source: IANS