WOUNDS AT A GLANCE
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WOUND CARE TODAY
2014,Vol 1, No 1
11
Tissue types
Black
Dead (devitalised, necrotic)
dehydrated tissue (eschar). It cannot
regenerate itself, and provides an
environment for bacteria to develop.
It can also hide the wound bed, thus
hindering wound assessment.
Yellow
This sloughy tissue is made up of
dead cells and wound debris. It can
be fibrous and will not wash off the
wound bed. As with necrotic tissue,
it can delay the healing process.
Remove from the wound bed
Red
This tissue indicates that healing is
taking place. It is moist, bright red
and slightly bumpy in appearance.
It can be damaged or dry out, as it
is not covered with epithelium.
Pink
This indicates the final stages of
healing as new epidermis forms.
Protect on the wound bed
Wound healing
Primary intention
Wound edges are approximated
and closed at the time of surgery
with sutures, staples, tissue
adhesives, for example.
Secondary intention
The wound is left open following
surgery, and allowed to heal
gradually through granulation,
contraction and epithelialisation.
Tertiary intention
The wound is left open for a short
time following surgery, and then
the edges are approximated and
the wound closed.
Wound healing images reproduced courtesy of Activa Healthcare.
All photographs reproduced courtesy of Pauline Beldon.
The truth about moist wound healing
Did you know that a moist wound environment has long been recognised as the best
condition for wound healing?
Myths such as letting the air get to wounds, leaving them to dry out, or leaving scabs in place,
makes healing take longer and puts the wound at risk of infection...
