The impact of the pH value on skin integrity and cutaneous wound healing

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Apr;24(4):373-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03413.x. Epub 2009 Aug 23.

Abstract

The process of cutaneous wound healing comprises three overlapping major phases: inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodelling. However, while mechanisms are studied scientifically on the cellular and subcellular level, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning basic clinical parameters like wound pH or pO2. It could be proven that wound healing is affected by wound pH changes as they can lead to an inhibition of endogenous and therapeutically applied enzymes. Besides, the conformational structure of proteins and their functionality in wound healing is altered. Furthermore, the likelihood of bacterial colonization, which is a common problem in chronic wound pathogenesis, is affected by wound pH alterations. However, wound pH is rarely taken into account in current wound therapy strategies. A routinely performed monitoring of the wound pH and a subsequently adapted wound therapy would most possibly improve chronic wound therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acid-Base Equilibrium / physiology*
  • Dermatitis / metabolism
  • Dermatitis / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Skin / injuries*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena*
  • Wound Healing / physiology*