Your Horse (UK)

Help for skin health from Absorbine

Skin’s microbiome must be balanced in order to shorten the time it takes for wounds to heal. Absorbine reveals how a natural powder and honey working together delivers impressive results

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THE SKIN IS the largest organ. It separates our internal structures from the outside world. So, it should come as no surprise that microorgan­isms living in that world — bacteria, fungi and viruses — decide to make a home on skin. The “microbiome” is what we call all those microorgan­isms living in harmony on the skin (see diagram, right).

Its role in healing

Skin in nature is not sterile. It is supposed to have these microorgan­isms co-mingling day in and day out. While the effects of the skin’s microbiome are still being researched, human studies show its balance is critical to the overall health of the person. In fact, dysfunctio­n in the microbiome is associated with autoimmune diseases and infection in humans*.

Research conducted in equine healing shows that equine skin microbiota or microbiome creates a rich and stable environmen­t that is disturbed by wounds. However, it springs back to its previous, balanced state of microorgan­isms upon full healing of the wound. Studies continue to explore the impact of the skin’s microbiome in terms of wound repair**.

Natural properties

In the presence of tissue injury, loss of microbial diversity (or a disrupted skin microbiome) often results in prolonged delay in the healing process. Both equine and human research has shown that a balanced microbiome shortens the time it

takes for wounds to heal.

Applying wound care products that provide an effective barrier against harmful bacteria while protecting the skin’s normal and healthy microorgan­ism population­s is a helpful way to support positive wound healing.

Silver Honey™ (see box, top right) uses the natural properties of both manuka honey and Microsilve­r BG™ to help care for the skin’s natural microbiome.

Powerful pairing

The natural powers of Microsilve­r BG™ and manuka honey work together. Microsilve­r BG™ is a powder of microsized pure medical-grade silver particles. Unlike colloidal silver, micro-sized particles provide the highest level of safety for silver used in topical healthcare, resulting in effective cleansing barrier action that clings to the skin and hair follicles. Microsilve­r BG™ helps to maintain the skin’s natural defences and the skin’s beneficial flora.

Silver Honey™ has an impressive 5+ Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating, meaning it uses genuine manuka honey gathered exclusivel­y from the pollen of

the manuka tree of New Zealand. It has exceptiona­lly high cleansing activity and maintains a hydrated and healthy wound environmen­t. It also allows debridemen­t or shedding of dead tissue from the wound. The balanced skin environmen­t created from the signature compounds of manuka honey aids the management of wounds for a healthy outcome.

References: *Internatio­nal Journal of Molecular Sciences, Sept 2018; v.19(9):2699. **PLOS Onev; v.13(11); 2018.

 ??  ?? Every horse is at risk of injuries which can unbalance the important microbiome layer of their skin
Every horse is at risk of injuries which can unbalance the important microbiome layer of their skin
 ??  ?? The microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi and viruses that cohabitate on the top layer of the skin
Microbiome
Layers of skin
The microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi and viruses that cohabitate on the top layer of the skin Microbiome Layers of skin
 ??  ?? Event rider Sinead Halpin found that applying Silver Honey to a stifle wound (inset) helped achieve a full recovery quickly
Event rider Sinead Halpin found that applying Silver Honey to a stifle wound (inset) helped achieve a full recovery quickly

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