A report of a non-healing burn wound managed through Ayurveda

Abstract

Since ancient times, local and systemic remedies have been advised for burn wound dressing and burn scar prevention. Burn wounds are common during household chores. Normally, the partial-thickness burn does not take more than two to three weeks to re-epithelialize. If it does not, then the cause may be that the wounds have become deeper over time. A 62-year-old female, having Kapha vata prakriti, with complaints of non-healing burn wound with severe pain and visible purulent discharge visited to Ayurvedic hospital. On local examination, an unhealed wound was noticed on the posterolateral side of the right leg above the ankle joint. The wound was covered with debris associated with discharge, foul smell, and raised local temperature, which confirmed the presence of secondary infection. Before visiting the Ayurvedic hospital, the patient had twice completed the course of antibiotics and had been taking analgesics regularly. Although some relief was found, some part of the wound was not healed completely and was associated with severe pain. The patient's caregiver brought her to the outpatient department of Ayurvedic medicine for further management in hope. The patient was treated with internal and external medicines where significant wound healing was achieved in a span of 28 days. This case report sets an example of the benefits of Ayurvedic medication in chronic case of wounds when there are no other options available or fail to respond.