Aloe Vera: A Common Salve for Skin Issues

For thousands of years, humankind has recognized the beneficial effects of using aloe vera for skin issues. The succulent plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, sometimes growing as tall as four feet with leaves 36 inches long. You can also grow it as a houseplant.

Aloe vera gel, which you can purchase as an ointment or extract from the plant yourself, comes from the inner part of the leaf. It contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides that work together to stop pain, moisturize skin, speed the healing process, decrease inflammation, and stimulate skin growth and repair.

Your doctor may recommend you use aloe vera for skin issues that fall within the following categories:

• Burns: Aloe vera soothes irritated, burned and sunburned skin. It has a naturally cooling effect and helps the skin heal faster. In a study cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center, burns that received aloe vera treatment fully healed in under 16 days, while burns treated with silver sulfadiazine, a product designed specifically to treat burns, took 19 days to heal. Just remember: never apply aloe vera to an open wound.
• Inflammatory skin conditions: Herpes, psoriasis, ultraviolet-induced erythema and other skin conditions benefit from aloe vera treatment thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s often more effective than hydrocortisone cream.
• Other conditions: Studies have shown preliminary evidence that aloe vera may help prevent dental cavities, lower blood sugar in diabetes patients, and mitigate the effects of alcohol-induced liver disease. More research is needed to determine whether the use of aloe vera in forms such as juice, latex and gel are safe and effective in these applications.

For now, the most effective use of aloe vera for skin issues is to treat burns, skin irritations and inflammatory skin conditions. Ask your doctor if aloe vera would be effective in your situation. Then contact MAR-J Medical Supply. We offer a wide selection of skin care products for patients seeking treatment for various skin conditions.