Talk:Neosporin
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[edit] Speeding healing of wounds
While "it speeds healing of wounds" is literally true, it actually only speeds the healing of wounds which are on skin that is subjected to stretching. The advertising for Neosporin which claims "helps heal wounds %30 faster" seens to be a convenient ommision, its true, but it depends on where that wound is. The idea is that it keeps scabs from ripping when the skin is stretched. It has no regenerative properties which actually speeds growth of new skin cells, it just keeps scabs moist so they are pliable. But this only makes a difference on skin which is often stretched to a significant degree. It has anti-biotic agents because straight petroleum jelly, while serving the purpose of keeping the wound moist, provides a good breeding ground for unwanted bacteria. But if its not on skin that stretchs its better not to use it.
I'm not going to add this to the article because I don't have a source to cite yet (I was told this by a nurse, and it makes sense given the ingredients don't contain any magical regenerative snake oil). But if anyone can find anything, or has conflicting info, please tell.Brentt 06:32, 2 October 2006 (UTC)
- As always, the truth is more complex. I don't have time to divest myself to this at the moment, but for Brennt or any future Wikipedians, please consult: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&safe=off&q=+healing+neosporin&spell=1 -- So far as I can tell, it appears that Neosporin aids in the healing of any wound, but only by preventing the formation of infection. Thus, after a point, the wound will stop receiving any meaningful benefit from application of neosporin. There are many articles which disagree, however, and some say the exact opposite. This confusion is addressed in "Improved Wound Healing by Salves, Potions, or Witchcraft: Do They Really Work?"... by Thomas F. O'Donnell Jr, MD, Boston, MA. He discusses that there is not enough real evidence to suggest either way, though there may have been articles published since this post or the article's publishing which could prove otherwise. Please explore AltonBrownFTW 03:28, 15 January 2007 (UTC)
