Delivering Topical Actives: The Science Of Wound Care

The topical therapy of wounds dates back to the beginnings of civilisation. For centuries, countless philosophers, physicians and scientists have contributed to the knowledge of wound management, proffering a diverse variety of substances as effective topical treatments, including spider webs, bear fat, soot, a myriad of different plants and even ‘portions of a genuine mummy.’ Taking a slightly more scientific approach to topical wound care and with considerable progress being made in the areas of API delivery and emollient choice, and technical developments in both the production and properties of the materials involved, the wound care industry is set for a quantum leap forward. What does the future hold?

Wounds come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be either chronic or acute. Their diversity means that each wound must be approached with consideration for its own unique characteristics and how best to heal the patient. Correspondingly, there are, of course, many different types of wound care. “It’s always hard to know when a wound becomes a non-wound,” says Ian Lafferty, Director of Formulation at Aesica, “but what we’re really talking about is any topical application that involves treating a break in the skin of some description.” A key issue in wounds is that they all contain bacteria. Hence, a key issue in wound care has been the preparation and application of antiseptic solutions, which is becoming an increasingly complex discipline.