Activated charcoal has been used in various types of wound care dressings. Although activated charcoal in itself does not enhance wound healing, it can help to minimize the odors associated with wounds. This is important, as wound odor can be very distressing for the patient, and the patient's family and caregivers. Wound odor can impact the quality of life of individuals with strong, persistent wound odor to have feelings of embarrassment, depression and isolation.¹

Causes of Wound Odor

Wound odor is caused by bacteria that is harbored in the necrotic tissue of the wound. This bacteria usually contains both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Wound odor generally comes from the anaerobic bacteria, which emits putrescine and cadverine, causing malodor. There are some aerobic bacteria that also result in wound odor, such as proteus and klebsiella.² Thankfully, one can become almost immune to unpleasant odors when exposure is prolonged, though wound odor can cause some individuals to experience appetite loss, vomiting or gagging reactions to the odor. Sensory cells can actually become desensitized to unpleasant odors, which may be why individuals living in close contact with an individual having a malodorous wound may seem to hardly notice an offensive odor.²

How Activated Charcoal Minimizes Wound Odor

As mentioned, activated charcoal has been added to many dressing types to control odor. The charcoal layer of the wound dressing absorbs the bacteria and localized wound toxins, as well as other odor causing matter found in the wound bed. Infected wounds can present with malodor, in addition to pain and wound exudate. Odor-causing bacteria flourish in wound exudate and devitalized tissue. Charcoal is often combined with an antimicrobial agent for wound odor management and to control bacterial levels in the wound.³ Actisorb®, combining activated charcoal with silver, is an example of a combination dressing designed to reduce wound odor by controlling bacteria.⁴

Activated charcoal in wound dressings can reduce odor, thus reducing potential patient distress and embarrassment. It is safe to use and may be combined with an antimicrobial to enhance odor control. If you have a patient with an infected wound that is malodorous, consider using a charcoal dressing to manage odor and ease your patient’s distress.

References:

1. Naylor, W. (2002) Part 1: Symptom control in the management of fungating wounds. World Wide Wounds. Retrieved April 8, 2015 from http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2002/march/Naylor/Symptom-Control-Fungat…

2. O’Brien, C. (2012). Malignant wounds: Managing Odor. Canadian Family Physician, 58(3); pg. 272-274. http://www.cfp.ca/content/58/3/272.full

3. Graves, M. & Sun, V. (2013). Providing quality wound care at the end of life. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing; 15(2):66-74. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780776_5 4. International case series: Using ACTISORB®: Case Studies. London: Wounds International, 2012. http://www.woundsinternational.com/media/issues/620/files/content_10586…

About The Author

Laurie Swezey RN, BSN, CWOCN, CWS, FACCWS is a Certified Wound Therapist and enterostomal therapist, founder and president of WoundEducators.com, and advocate of incorporating digital and computer technology into the field of wound care.