Jul 17, Aloe and wound care

I have two open / ulcerated wounds on the inside of my left ankle resulting from having two screws removed from that site.

Since that surgery (three months ago) I have been treated with a variety of antibiotics and topical medications.

I have seen a neurologist, a podiatrist, my orthopaedic surgeon, a wound care specialist and an infectious disease specialist.

I have been undergoing in-home IV treatments with heavy doses of antibiotics for the past week.

During a conversation with my wound care specialist, she mentioned that many of her Hispanic patients treated themselves (successfully) with aloe vera gel squeezed directly from the plant.

I started this treatment yesterday; to my surprise I've been experiencing quite a bit of burning and pain. I am covering the gel with a Tegaderm bandage.

Am I applying this correctly? Or should I boil the leaves before harvesting the gel?

I am 58 yrs. old and otherwise healthy and active.
Thanks for your help.


Strato's answer:

Hi Nancy, thank you for your question.

I hope your wounds heal very quickly.

Somehow, I'm sure of that. You were lucky that your wound care specialist indicated aloe vera and its therapeutic properties to you.

Now, all you have to do is to insist on applying aloe vera gel on your wounds for some time. Aloe is a natural remedy and takes time to act, but acts without side effects. Unlike laboratory manufactured medicines, which 99% have side effects.

Do not worry about this "quite a bit of burning and pain" feeling. This is normal. Aloe penetrates the surface of the wound and reaches the deeper layers of skin, (to muscles and even bones) and tackles the problem at its root.

Aloe vera takes care your wounds and this "burning and pain feeling" indicates that it is acting fairly well. I'm sure that after a day or two, you will get used to it and you will recognize it as useful.

Tegaderm is a transparent medical dressing that it can be used to cover and protect wounds. Advantages of Tegaderm include its breathability and conformation to the skin as it adheres in places such as the fingers and toes.

But it can also cause a severe inflammatory response: blistering, burning, itching etc. This reaction may be exacerbated if the dressing is improperly stretched across the wound to enhance closure. Since your wounds are open and ulcerated, use it carefully.

If I were you, after applying aloe for some days and my wounds get better, I would not use Tegaderm any more. Since aloe protects us from inflammatory conditions, I would only applied aloe vera gel on my wounds and I would left them uncovered.

About boiling the leaves before harvesting the gel. Definitely don't boil the leaves because the temperature will destroy all aloe gel's healthful ingredients.

Use it raw. Be sure that the aloe plant is aloe barbadensis Miller and is mature (4 - 5 yrs old). Remove the outer hard green rind and use the inner gel of the leaves directly on your wounds.

Don't forget to keep the gel left over in the refrigerator, because if aloe vera gel stays too long in the environment's temperature, tans like a sliced apple or potato, ie oxidizes and loses all its value.

Nancy, I hope I was helpful. Be healthy soon.

For all those who keep not aloe plant, two very convenient products to take care wounds are FLP's Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe First Spray.

Please read Vitiligo - Your True Stories for more information about Aloe Vera Gelly and Aloe Vera First Aid - Your True Stories for more information about Aloe First Spray.


Stay healthy,
Strato - AloeveraChangeslives.com

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