Millions of people suffer from leg ulcers or wounds that are slow to heal. When ointments and dressings no longer help, modern medicine offers a new ray of hope: cold plasma therapy. This physics-based procedure utilizes a special state of matter to kill even multi-resistant bacteria and stimulate skin regeneration. For patients with chronic wounds in particular, this often leads to a significant improvement in quality of life.
Author
Leading Medicine Guide Editors
Brief overview:
Cold plasma therapy (also known as cold plasma treatment) is an innovative method used in wound care. Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter and is produced when gas (often argon) is ionized. In medicine, so-called cold plasma (cold plasma) is used, which is at body temperature. It has a strong antibacterial effect, kills viruses and fungi, and promotes microcirculation in the tissue. Its main area of application is the treatment of chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot syndrome or leg ulcers, as well as infected wounds contaminated with multi-resistant bacteria.
Article overview
- What exactly is cold plasma?
- The therapeutic benefits of cold plasma therapy
- Clinically proven: Cold plasma for chronic wounds
- Cold plasma treatment procedure
- Who is plasma therapy suitable for?
- Is the treatment covered by health insurance?
- Conclusion
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cold plasma therapy
Cold plasma - Further information
What exactly is cold plasma?
From a physical point of view, plasma is an ionized gas. In nature, we are familiar with plasma from the sun or lightning – where it is extremely hot. However, plasma research has succeeded in developing technological solutions that generate cold plasma (below 40 degrees Celsius). This cold plasma is a partially ionized gas containing charged particles, UV radiation and reactive species. When this mixture comes into contact with a wound, it exerts its healing effect without damaging healthy tissue.
The violet-glowing cold plasma combats multi-resistant germs and stimulates blood circulation to close chronic wounds.
The therapeutic benefits of cold plasma therapy
The use of cold plasma in wound therapy is based on two main mechanisms:
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Antimicrobial effect: Cold plasma effectively destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi. As the mechanism physically destroys the cell walls of the pathogens, they cannot develop resistance. This makes cold plasma treatment a secret weapon against multi-resistant pathogens (MRSA) in infected wounds.
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Promotion of wound healing: The plasma stimulates blood flow (microcirculation) and improves oxygen supply to the wound area. This stimulates cell growth and accelerates the closure of the wound surface.
Clinically proven: Cold plasma for chronic wounds
Chronic wounds often present a puzzle for doctors and nursing staff. Despite optimal standard treatment, they refuse to close. This is where the effectiveness of cold plasma is particularly evident. Studies and clinical applications (as of 2022 and ongoing) demonstrate that people with chronic wounds (e.g. leg ulcers, pressure ulcers) benefit from the therapy. The procedure is also successfully applied to diabetic foot ulcers or post-operative wounds that have become infected. A pilot study and subsequent randomised trials have shown that the bacterial load is significantly reduced and healing is accelerated.
Cold plasma treatment procedure
Cold plasma treatment is generally painless for patients and takes only a few minutes. A special device (some use noble gases such as argon, others ambient air) is passed over the wound. Technologies such as those from Coldplasmatech even allow for the treatment of large areas. The bluish-shimmering plasma ‘bathes’ the inflamed wounds, cleanses them and stimulates healing. As the application is contact-free or carried out using special wound dressings, the risk of infection is minimal.
Who is plasma therapy suitable for?
The treatment is primarily aimed at patients suffering from poorly healing wounds or chronic and infected wounds. However, patients with acute wound healing disorders or certain skin conditions (e.g. acne inversa) can also benefit from cold plasma therapy. As cold plasma is becoming increasingly available in specialist wound centers and clinics, it is becoming a key pillar of modern wound treatment.
Is the treatment covered by health insurance?
Although cold plasma treatment is considered clinically and scientifically promising and effective, it is not yet (as of today) a standard service covered by statutory health insurance across the board. It is often reimbursed under selective contracts or for inpatient treatment in hospital. Patients with chronic wounds should actively discuss the possibility of cold plasma treatment for chronic conditions with their doctor or wound manager.
Conclusion
Cold plasma therapy is more than just a trend. It is a physically sound, highly effective method for treating chronic and bacterially colonized wounds. It fills the gap where antibiotics and ointments fail, and helps to finally bring long-standing open wounds to a close.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cold plasma therapy
Does cold plasma treatment hurt?
No, not usually. As it involves cold plasma, patients usually only feel a slight draft or a mild tingling sensation on the skin. No heat is generated.
How often does cold plasma wound treatment need to be carried out?
That depends on the wound. The therapy is usually carried out 2–3 times a week until the wound is clean and granulation tissue has formed.
Is cold plasma also effective against MRSA?
Yes. Cold plasma physically destroys the cell membranes of bacteria. This is why even multi-resistant germs, against which antibiotics are often powerless, are reliably killed.
