Dr. Enrique Monclús, medical coordinator of the Large Burns Unit of the Miguel Servet University Hospital of Zaragoza and member of Top Doctors is a precursor in the use of bromelain for the healing of burns.
Bromelain is a substance derived from the stem of the pineapple that has among its properties the selective removal of burned skin from patients. This favors subsequent regeneration and represents a major change in the treatment of burn patients. Spain has been a pioneer in its use, together with Germany and Italy, and now it is making its way to Latin America.
The application process can be carried out by specialist doctors or even by the nurses themselves, who administer the substance in the form of a cream on the burns and remove it after about four hours. This is followed by a wet cure and the remains of the affected skin are removed.
Is it a curative treatment?
Bromelain is not a curative treatment but acts as a regenerative treatment, i.e. it prepares the skin for the treatment to be carried out later. In the most affected areas and/or third degree burns where there is no dermis left, a graft is necessary. However, there has been a decrease in grafts in this type of burns since bromelain has started to be used as a treatment. Previously, in more severe burns the patient always had to undergo surgery, now only 20% of cases have to undergo surgery, according to the experience of Dr. Monclús.
It is a spectacular improvement and benefit for the burned patient, both aesthetically and in terms of hospitalization time, skin quality, less blood loss and fewer surgeries for sequelae. Dr. Monclús comments.
Can it be used on all parts of the body?
Bromelain is selective, that is to say that it only takes dead tissue, leaving the rest to help regeneration. This means that it can be used on all parts of the body, including the face. In the words of Dr. Monclús, it is not only that it does not go bad on the face, it is that it is the best indication that the product has by adding to the treatment an application of healing and anti-inflammatory gel based on manuka honey.
The face, along with the hands, is one of the areas that present the most problems when using traditional techniques to treat burn problems, which is why this new technique is more effective and less harmful to these parts of the body.
What are the disadvantages?
Bromelain is indicated for recent burns, so in cases where the burns are several days old, the traditional surgical method will still have to be used. For more information, you can contact a specialist in plastic surgery.