Does applying insulin to wounds actually work? Do any scientific studies support the claim? Here are the answers.
Acute wounds from surgery or burns are separated from chronic wounds. One of the most frequent causes of non-healing wounds is diabetes. In this article, we will discuss the effect of insulin on wounds and more details:
Applying Insulin to Wounds: Does It Work?
Insulin therapy stimulates wound healing and expedites the healing process, according to a number of expert evidences.
Glucose was a primary source of energy that cells needed to reproduce from growth as they reached Wounds through the bloodstream because the existing tissues in burns and foot ulcers lacked the essential growth factors and nutrients required to stimulate cell growth again and to heal wounds.
Applying insulin to wounds: studies
The following are the most notable studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of applying insulin to wounds:
1. The first study
Here's what it says:
According to the study, insulin, a peptide hormone and growth factor capable of regenerating damaged skin, plays an effective role in healing wounds. After seven days of treating the skin's surface, its effectiveness was reported.
Studies done on animals in a lab setting showed that treating wounds with insulin shortens the time it takes for them to heal, and that new blood vessels begin to grow where the wounds were within five days of insulin injection, as opposed to the control group, which did not receive insulin.
2. The second study
And it contains the following:
The study was carried out using two groups of diabetic and non-diabetic patients who were exposed to wounds on the forearm:
- A group in which insulin was placed on the wounds, and the second group had saline solution on the wounds 4 times a day.
- Wounds treated with insulin healed two days faster than wounds treated with saline.
3. The third study
which the following events occurred:
In the third study, the effectiveness of administering insulin to treat wounds was demonstrated by injecting it into non-diabetics' blood. This study also demonstrated the safety of this method.
Putting Insulin on Wounds: Is It Harmful?
A study looked at the effect of putting insulin on the negative wounds, to show that it is mostly safe and does not cause any side effects, nor does it cause any changes in the level of glucose in the blood.
Treat wounds in other ways
After talking about applying insulin to wounds, we'll mention some alternative techniques, like:
- The medical treatment
There is no one treatment approach that works best. After cleaning the wound site, the doctor decides on the course of treatment based on the location and state of the wound. Some wounds might be stitched up, while others might be left open to mend naturally. Gauze may be used to cover them to prevent infection from developing.
If there is a higher chance of contracting an infection, the doctor may recommend painkillers or antibiotics. In other circumstances, the doctor may have to perform an operation.
- Home treatment
Through the following steps:
- A very gentle method of cleaning the wound to remove dirt is to do it in the shower.
- As directed by the doctor, change the bandage and gauze over the wound.
- Make use of over-the-counter painkillers.
- Make sure to consume nutritious foods that are high in vitamin C because this vitamin helps to stimulate the production of collagen. Consume vegetables and fruits frequently to get the nutrients your body needs to heal.