The ‘ouch’ congress

Most caring fathers and mothers would not have been aware that on the last week of February, the Philippine Wound Care Society Inc. hosted an Asia Pacific Wound Care Congress at the EDSA Shangri-La.

Bringing together, from all over the world, doctors, nurses, and physical therapists who specialize in wound care, the congress was there to promote professional communication, and to report on the latest techniques and applications. The forum dealt with both acute and chronic wounds (defined as a type of injury wherein skin is torn, cut or punctured; or where blunt force trauma has caused a contusion). One can imagine how the graphic visuals presented in the course of the congress would not be the best for keeping one’s lunch or dinner down. I peeped during one talk and hurriedly shut the door! But I was thankful that MundiPharma’s Betadine had created a small side event during the Congress; as I gleaned a lot of useful information from the resource speakers they had “borrowed” from the main congress.

For decades now, Betadine (Povidone-Iodine) has been a personal household staple when it comes to the disinfection and treatment of everyday wounds. Widely used in hospitals as the first line of defense against topical infection, its antiseptic properties help prevent contamination while it facilitates healthy healing by keeping the wound infection-free.

I mentioned “useful information,” and this included the fact that while isopropyl alcohol may help kill the germs and clean the wound, it doesn’t necessarily help in the healing, as alcohol also “kills” some of the enzymes that we need to heal. And let’s face it, how many Filipino families will immediately reach for alcohol whenever a wound crops up! Discussion then moved to hydrogen peroxide, and I have to admit being a fan for how this particular liquid “bubbles” and foams, closing wounds and seeming to be an effective agent. One European specialist said that  hydrogen peroxide works if constantly applied, like every two minutes, but is sorely lacking in the disinfecting department. Even antibiotic ointments had their turn in the proverbial spotlight, and it was mentioned that while they do have their uses for specific cases, by and large, they are not what one should be reaching for if thinking first-aid and initial wound care.

I have to admit that being my late mother’s son, that means that half my medicine chest was just deemed worthless, but thankfully I do have Betadine handy at all times. A cultural observation was made, that here in the Philippines, for us to feel something is effective, there has to be an “ouch” or sting factor, and that’s where Betadine “fails.” To that, the European doctors and specialist had to stifle their laughter, wondering why we had to think something was effective only if it hurts! They did stress that Betadine and other antiseptic agents were one’s initial recourse, and that one still had to seek medical attention after, to ensure that the wound had been properly addressed.

A lot of useful information for me to absorb, even if I had to keep my eyes shut while leaving the hotel, via the Ballroom where the congress was being held.

(For best results, consult your doctor.)