Aloe vera is an excellent topical treatment for wounds and burns. The mucilage in aloe, which contains mucopolysaccharides, is largely responsible for its healing action on burns and wounds.
What it does: Applied to the skin, aloe vera is an excellent treatment for wounds, burns and other skin disorders.
How to do it: Cut the leaves in half along the length to reveal the clear gel inside. Rub the clear gel over skin.
Why it helps: The clear gel makes a protective coat over skin, speeds up the rate of healing and reduces the risk of infection. This is due to aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. The mucilage in aloe, which contains mucopolysaccharides, is largely responsible for aloe’s healing action both on burns and wounds.
I adore my aloe plant. I always keep one on my kitchen windowsill, theyre dead easy to care for and the aloe that you get is FRESH!
I would like to inquire if aloe would be a good idea if applied to a scar remaining right after surgery. I have heard of the wonders of aloe vera and wanted to make sure it was fine if applied directly to the scar hours after surgery. I want to make sure my insicion heals nice to were it is very vague.
Thankyou Jess 🙂
Hi Jess,
I managed to find one reference where patients were treated with aloe vera immediately following dermabrasion wounds on the face.
However, these were probably superficial wounds. I am not sure if the results (and safety) are applicable to deep surgical cuts where there are stitches involved, so its good to check with your surgeon before your procedure.
I’m pasting the reference below in case the page moves. Hope this helps!
———
The Stimulation of Postdermabrasion Wound Healing with Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel-Polyethylene Oxide Dressing
JAMES E. FULTON, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.1
1James E. Fulton, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., is Research Scientist, The Acne Research Institute, Newport Beach, California.
Correspondence to Address reprint requests to James E. Fulton, Jr., M.D., Ph. D., The Acne Research Institute, 1587 Monrovia Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
Copyright 1990 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.
ABSTRACT
Abstract.
Full-face dermabrasion provided an ideal opportunity to document the effects of dressings on wound healing management.
Following the procedure, the abraded face was divided in half. One side was treated with the standard polyethylene oxide gel wound dressings. The other side was treated with a polyethylene oxide gel dressing saturated with stabilized aloe vera.
The polyethylene oxide dressing provided an excellent matrix for the release of aloe vera gel during the initial 5 days of wound healing.
By 24–48 hours there was dramatic vasoconstriction and accompanying reduction in edema on the aloe-treated side.
By the third to fourth day there was less exudate and crusting at the aloe site, and by the fifth to sixth day the reepithelialization at the aloe site was complete.
Overall, wound healing was approximately 72 hours faster at the aloe site.
This acceleration in wound healing is important to reduce bacterial contamination, subsequent keloid formation, and/or pigmentary changes. The exact mechanism of acceleration of wound healing by aloe vera is unknown.
I burned myself BADLY being dumb 4 days ago – I pulled the heating unit from the electric griddle when finished ‘griddling’ pancakes and dropped and tried catching it as a reflex action. Well, I caught it alright.
Rather than the automatic ‘run under cold water’, I grabbed the Made from Earth Aloe & Jojoba Lotion and slowly dribbled it into my hand and let it run over the side where the worst part of the burn was. Because it had been in the frig and was cold, I could feel the relief right away but as it dried, it hurt like heck.
I repeated the application throughout the day about 5 times, using maybe 4 drops each time. It is now 4 days since I was that dumb and I never got a blister, never had it bubble up, it never scabbed over, and this morning I can barely see it. It did scar a teeny bit, but nothing like I thought it would based on my past experiences of burning myself. This situation alone will definitely ensure I NEVER run out of this stuff.
I’m writing a novel and I’d like to know if Aloe Vera can be used for a bullet wound. If it can’t, do you know of any herb that can?
Hi Claire, yours is probably the most interesting comment I’ve ever gotten on this site. 🙂 AFAIK, aloe is good for minor wounds only.
You may want to look at matico, also called Soldier’s Herb for deep wounds.
Good luck with your novel!
Will lyke 2 know if aloe vera helps remove strechmark
It is safe to use 99%aloe vera gel in to the operated and stitched vagina.