How to Avoid an Impaired Epithelialization of a Wound

The skin is one of the largest organ systems. Skin is composed of two main layers, the outer epidermis and the corium, which lies beneath. When the epidermis is wounded, the process of regrowth of the skin over the wound is known as epithelialization. A number of factors can impair the epithelialization and hinder the healing process. Medical conditions such as diabetes or vascular disease can delay epithelialization, as well as an infection, dry environment, age and diet. Some of these issues are beyond your control, but there are steps you can take to expedite your skin's restoration.

Things You'll Need

• Multivitamins
• Antibacterial ointment or aloe vera
• Hydrogen peroxide

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Instructions

• 1

  Exercise for 30 minutes each day. Engaging in activities such as walking, dancing, biking or even gardening can increase your overall circulation. Boosting your blood flow encourages the movement of oxygen throughout the body and speeds the removal of metabolic wastes, which encourages the growth and development of new epithelial cells. Recent studies done at Ohio State University suggest that exercise can reduce wound healing time by as much as 25 percent.

• 2

  Take a multivitamin every morning. Poor nutrition slows the healing process as there are several nutrients that are required for successful wound recovery. Vitamin A is a necessary component in the formation of epithelial cells. Vitamin C is required for the construction of collagen (one of the skin's supporting fibers). It also provides antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and boost immune system functions. Vitamin K is essential for the formation of clotting factors that help prevent bleeding from the wound. And vitamin E increases the quantity and strength of collagen being manufactured in the body.

• 3

  Keep the wound moist with regular applications of antibacterial ointment or aloe vera gel. Wounds kept in a dry environment take three to five times longer to heal than those exposed to a high level of moisture, and they tend to cause the wounded individual greater levels of discomfort during the healing process.

• 4

  Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. The nicotine carried in cigarette smoke causes the blood vessels to narrow, reducing the available blood supply and subsequently starving the epithelial cells of oxygen. This not only delays wound healing, it also increases the risk of infection at the site of the injury, which can lead to further complications and damage to surrounding tissues.

• 5

  Bathe the wound daily with hydrogen peroxide. Research done by the U.S. National Institutes of Health suggests application of this old-time remedy to an open wound helps summon white blood cells to the injured area. Once the chemical alert has been sent, the infection fighters move in and begin repairing the damage.