Wound Healing:  Although I have treated very few nipple wounds I have
treated thousands  of hand and arms wounds at a county hospital and I would
assume many of the principles apply. For those of you who are interested
Marion Labs developed a universal classification system to  evaluate and
treat  wounds.  My very abreviated version is as follows.
A  red wound with red  granulated tissue may be cleaned with saline or
sterile water (or just a mild soap like  ivory or dove) to keep it clean and
moist  it may or may not need  an occulsive  dressing ( lanolin In the case
of the breast) A yellow wound is a wound with exudate, pus, debris, &creamy
looking. It may need a scrub or irrigation  in saline or sterile water
Sometimes antimicrobials are used . Wet to dry or wet to wet treatment or
hydogels can help absorb the exudate and control bacteria. A black wound is
covered in black necrotic tissue or eschar.  (Has anyone ever seen this on
the breast?) this may need debridement, antimicrobials, etc.
   Articles were  written in the Am J of Nurs by J Cuzell- "The new red,
yellow,  and black color code." 10:1342, 1988.  "Wound Care Forum" 86:600,
1986. These article would  give you more than you ever wanted to about
wounds. Also there is a wound bible called Wound Repair by E.E. Peacock
there is at least a 3rd edition pub in Philedelphia by W.B. Sanders.

Happy healing
Jill Andrews OTR, CHT, LLLL
Louisville, CO

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