Acetic Acid for Dressing

Availability:

• Acetic Acid 1%, 2% and 5%

Rationale:

• use of various acids, such as acetic acid, boric acid, ascorbic acid, alginic acid, and hyaluronic acid, has been reported for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, and burn wound infections in various earlier studies
• Dilute acetic acid has been successfully used for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, and burn wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 
• Though not bactericidal, acetic acid creates an acidic environment unfavorable for growth of P. aeruginosa. 
• Thus, irrigation of wounds with acetic acid solution proved to be effective in clearing P. aeruginosa from wound beds.
• Lowering of pH on the surface of a wound has been demonstrated to accelerate wound healing

Application: 

• Acetic acid in 1% and 5% concentrations has been widely used in an attempt to reduce pH.
• Application of sterile gauze swabs soaked in 1%-5% concentrations to ulcers and burn wounds has been used in different studies.
• Topical application of acetic acid in a concentration of 5% to burn and soft tissue wounds has been found to be an effective treatment for P. aeruginosa infections.
• 0.5% acetic acid irrigation solution is effective in clearing P. aeruginosa from contaminated or infected wound beds.

Reference:

1. http://www.woundsresearch.com/article/acidic-environment-and-wound-healing-review
2. ACETIC ACID TREATMENT OF PSEUDOMONAL WOUND INFECTIONS