[Kim Jaeho's Life Story]<259> Treatment of Wounds and Natural Healing

The skin, also called the epidermis, which covers the entire outer part of our body, has a surface area of 1.5 to 2.0 square meters, making it the second largest organ in our body after the small intestine. It weighs about 4.5 to 5 kg, accounting for roughly 7% of body weight, making it the largest organ in our body. Because we see it every day, it may seem ordinary, but it is soft and flexible yet quite tough and durable, not easily broken or torn if not injured. When we look closely at its functions, it is a mysterious organ that performs various functions very efficiently.

We tend to underestimate or ignore the importance of the skin in daily life, but when a problem arises with the skin, we realize its significance. The skin protects our body and performs essential functions such as sensory perception, temperature regulation, excretion, vitamin D synthesis, various facial expressions, and maintaining the skin ecosystem, all of which are indispensable for our survival and as important as any other organ.

First, the skin protects our body. It shields the body from pressure, impact, and friction, blocks the penetration of harmful substances such as microorganisms and ultraviolet rays, prevents excessive moisture loss, and performs waterproofing functions.

Second, the skin performs various sensory functions such as touch, pressure, pain, warmth, and cold through contact or sensation. Third, it maintains a stable body temperature by dilating and constricting blood vessels and releasing sweat when it is hot or cold. Fourth, it excretes waste through sebum and sweat. Fifth, it produces vitamin D necessary for bone formation when exposed to sunlight.

Additionally, the color or changes in facial skin help us understand the health or emotional state of others, and by providing an ecosystem for numerous microorganisms, it protects skin health through a symbiotic relationship.

Wounds on the skin include injuries caused by accidents such as cuts from knives, scratches, tears, or punctures from awls, as well as wounds from surgeries, suturing, or stitching for treatment. Any damage to the skin for any reason is included.

When the skin is damaged, although life-threatening situations are not common, the disruption of these various skin functions lowers the quality of life. Moreover, wounds on the skin pose a risk of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses and toxic substances entering the body, so it is extremely important to repair wounds quickly. Fortunately, our body has an excellent and wondrous system prepared to efficiently heal wounds naturally and cure skin diseases on its own.

Thanks to this amazing wound healing system, people experience countless times that wounds heal cleanly over time without special effort.

Natural healing of skin wounds occurs in four stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and reconstruction, and strengthening. When the skin is cut, scratched, or punctured causing bleeding, blood cells clump together and coagulate within seconds or minutes to protect the wound and prevent further blood loss. This hemostasis involves blood cells called platelets, which dry and form a scab.

Next, during the inflammation stage, nutrients and oxygen are supplied through blood vessels to heal the wound. At this time, white blood cells called macrophages protect the wound from infection and oversee the repair process.

In the growth and reconstruction stage, also called proliferation, collagen is produced with the help of oxygen-rich red blood cells to repair the tissue. During this process, scars that are initially red and later fade may form. In the strengthening stage, also called remodeling, the new tissue becomes stronger over time, and you may feel the wound stretch, itch, or develop wrinkles.

If this natural wound healing proceeds normally, the wound recovery speed becomes almost the same as before the injury within three months. However, if blood supply providing oxygen and nutrients to the wound is insufficient, healing is delayed and the entire process may take years to complete.

To protect skin health from accidents, it is important to maintain optimal skin health regularly, be cautious to reduce unexpected accidents, and remember that wounds must heal naturally to recover. Actively cooperating to ensure natural healing proceeds well is very important.

For minor skin wounds that do not require emergency room visits, such as those that are not too large or deep, without exposure of bones, organs, or blood vessels, and without severe bleeding, clean the wound at home with clean water, mild soap, or saline solution. Cover the wound with a bandage or dressing to maintain moisture, and it will heal easily through the body's natural healing function. Using a moist bandage is convenient, promotes rapid healing through natural healing power, and leaves no scars.

For burns, apply a cold cloth or rinse with cold water, but leave blisters intact as they help protect the skin. Avoid disinfecting wounds directly with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as they damage healthy tissue, slow healing, and may cause scarring.

People often think that hospital treatment heals wounds when they get injured, but it is important to remember that healing fundamentally depends on natural healing, and hospital treatment only assists this process. If natural healing does not occur after receiving treatment such as suturing a torn wound, the wound will not heal and will remain as it is with stitches.

Independent Researcher