Woman’s Weekly Wellbeing: Healing wounds

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Each week we team up with our sister magazine Woman's Weekly and look at ways of helping you with different health conditions. This week we look at healing wounds quickly.

Try this...

Reduce stress
The more relaxed you are, the faster a wound will heal because psychological stressdoes seem to prevent the immune stystem from working efficiently. A study of married couples found that the stress of a 30-minute row with a spouse slowed wound healing down by a day.

Try: International Stress Management Association. To find a local stress adviser, call 01179 697284, or visit www.isma.org.uk

Moist healing
Studies have shown that wounds kept moist heal up to 40 per cent more quickly than those that are covered with a dressing or left exposed to the air. Moist healing also prevents scabs forming and so reduces the chance of scarring.

Try: Savlon Advanced Healing Gel, available from major supermarkets and pharmacies.

Eat better
During the healing process, the body needs to have plenty of power foods - proteins, vitamin A (in dark green leafy veg), vitamin C and the mineral zinc.

Try: Healthy Eating For Your Heart by top chef Paul Gayler and registered dietician Jacqui Lynas (published by Kyle Cathie). It has more than 100 delicious, healthy recipes.

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