Minimising wound-related pain: A discussion of traditional wound dressings and topical agents used in low-resource communities

Abstract

The concepts of moist wound healing, minimising trauma to the wound bed during wear time and at dressing change and addressing wound bed preparation principles are all local strategies and considerations that can minimise woundrelated pain (WRP). Such strategies include the management of moisture, infection and chronic inflammation. Despite the limited access to advanced wound care products in low-resource communities, these same principles of wound management can be used in the selection and development of wound dressing and topical wound care products in these settings. This article discusses the aetiology of WRP, management strategies associated with improving the experience of background and procedural WRP, and the efficacy of traditional wound care products in promoting pain minimisation in low-resource communities.