Wound Care: Which Wounds Can Heal With Ointment Alone?

Hello. This is Kang Jin-moon, a dermatologist at Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon, a skin concern counseling center. Today, I'd like to talk about 'wound management' and 'the scope of wounds that can be treated with ointment alone,' which many people are curious about.

Our skin plays an important role in protecting our body from external bacteria and substances. When the skin is damaged, the risk of infection increases, and it can become a pathway for external foreign substances to penetrate. Therefore, disinfecting and dressing the wound to prevent infection is the most basic wound management.

A wound is a medical problem that can cause serious issues in our body if left untreated, due to infection. A scar, on the other hand, is the result of our body healing a wound well. However, we often perceive scars as a cosmetic problem. In other words, a wound is a health-related issue, while a scar can be seen primarily as a cosmetic problem.

One of the most important factors in wound healing is skin humidity. Most scar management products aim to maintain appropriate skin humidity. For example, silicone sheets and scar ointments provide a moisturizing environment for the skin, helping wound healing.

It is true that maintaining good moisture plays an important role in minimizing scars or, if lucky, preventing them altogether. However, ointment cannot solve all wound problems.

• In the case of very minor wounds, they may heal without scarring with ointment alone.
• However, common scratches from fingernails or pets are often difficult to treat with ointment alone.

Ointment is best used as an auxiliary means to some extent to aid wound healing. It is important to choose the appropriate treatment method depending on the type and depth of the wound.