Advancements and Challenges in Self-Healing Hydrogels for Wound Care

Gels. 2024 Apr 1;10(4):241. doi: 10.3390/gels10040241.

Abstract

This manuscript explores self-healing hydrogels as innovative solutions for diverse wound management challenges. Addressing antibiotic resistance and tailored wound care, these hydrogels exhibit promising outcomes, including accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration. Advancements in multifunctional hydrogels with controlled drug release, antimicrobial properties, and real-time wound assessment capabilities signal a significant leap toward patient-centered treatments. However, challenges such as scalability, long-term safety evaluation, and variability in clinical outcomes persist. Future directions emphasize personalized medicine, manufacturing innovation, rigorous evaluation through clinical trials, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This manuscript features the ongoing pursuit of effective, adaptable, and comprehensive wound care solutions to transform medical treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: dynamic covalent crosslinking; functional crosslinking; ionic crosslinking; self-healing hydrogels; wound care.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This review article received no external funding.