Pressure Ulcers: What to Think When Giving Zinc

Good nutrition is vital to the healing of pressure ulcers, and zinc appears to play a major role in facilitating this process. To date, five randomized, placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the benefit of zinc supplementation in the healing of these wounds. Generally, these studies have shown a trend toward improved healing only among patients who are deficient in zinc. When used superfluously, zinc may become one more unnecessary drug that can actually hinder the healing process, with the potential to become detrimental to treated patients.