Homœopathic treatment of burn scars—clinical enquiry

Abstract

After observing the flattening in one patient's hypertrophic scar after treatment with the homœopathic medicine Graphites, we decided to look at the effect of Graphites on hypertrophic burn scars. 5 patients with scarring subsequent to burns were treated with 2 different dilutions of potentized Graphites for 3 months. Of the 4 patients who completed the treatment 3 described a subjective improvement in itch, one patient with an open wound of 5 month's duration saw this heal after the first dose of Graphites. 2 patients chose to continue Graphites 6c at the final follow-up.

All patient's scars improved both on patient and independent assessor scoring over the treatment period, but it was not possible to determine to what extent this was due to the treatment. Further study is required before undertaking a more formal trial.

Key Words

Graphites - Scars, burn - Scars, hypertrophic

^* Clinical Assistant in Homœopathy, Glasgow Homœopathic Hospital

^† Registrar Plastic Surgeon, St John's Hospital, Livingston Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh

^‡ Consultant Plastic Surgeon, St John's Hospital, Livingston Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh

^§ Consultant Physican, Glasgow Homœopathic Hospital, Senior Lecturer in Medicine, Glasgow University