Abstract

REVIEW LITERATURE ON USE OF NILE TILAPIA FISH SKIN IN TREATMENT OF BURN WOUNDS

Gummi Pooja Reddy*, Palem Venkata Suresh, Komathi Subramanyam and Penugonda Praval Reddy

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Abstract

Nile Tilapia is the first aquatic animal skin in the world to be tested in burn patients. Its morphology is much similar to that of the human skin. It adheres to the wound and creates a buffer effect. It blocks outside contamination. It prevents loss of moisture and proteins from the wound and it stays bonded to the wound bed until it heals over. Fish skin contains collagen type-I and type-III in large quantities, a protein that promotes the wound healing process. It has been used as a biological wound dressing for the first time in the treatment of second and third-degree burns. No dressing changes were required as frequently as the gauze. Fish skin dressing enhanced the wound healing process and also reduced the need for pain medications. Fish skin dressing also possesses numerous amino acids in its collagen structure, such as proline and alanine, the presence of amino acids will enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts, granulation tissue formation, and collagen synthesis in the wound.[1]

Keywords: Burn wounds, Fish skin, Collagen, Healing, Dressing changes, Analgesics.