The influence of different dressings on the pH of the wound environment

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effect of various wound dressings on the pH levels of a wound, using a simulated wound environment. METHOD: The pH levels of a 4 different wound dressings (manuka honey dressing, sodium carboxymethylcellulose hydrofiber dressing, polyhydrated ionogen-coated polymer mesh dressing, and a protease modulating collagen cellulose dressing) were tested in a simulated horse serum wound environment. The effect of local buffering was observed and pH changes in real time were measured. RESULTS: All dressings were found to have low pH (below pH 4), with the lowest being the protease modulating collage cellulose dressing, with a pH of 2.3. The dressing with the strongest acid concentration was the polyhydrated, ionogen-coated, polymer mesh dressing. CONCLUSION: The low pH and strong acidic nature of the dressing investigated indicate that they may play a role in influencing the healing process in a wound. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. This study was funded by the EPSRC.