As a subject matter expert in wound care, I can tell you that the idea that wounds need air to heal is a common misconception. In fact, **exposure to air can slow down the healing process**. What wounds actually need is a
moist environment to heal effectively. This is supported by numerous studies that have shown that wounds heal faster with
moist wound healing techniques compared to
keeping wounds dry.
Wounds kept in a moist environment have less scarring, experience less pain, and are less susceptible to infection. The
moist environment helps to maintain a balance of the wound's
natural healing factors, such as the right levels of
growth factors and
cells necessary for the healing process.
On the other hand,
exposure to air can lead to the formation of a
scab, which may seem like it's protecting the wound, but it can actually impede the healing process by causing the wound edges to dry out and contract, which can delay the formation of new skin.
In summary, while it's important to keep wounds clean to prevent infection, they do not need to be exposed to air to heal. Instead, a moist environment is more conducive to the healing process.
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