Experiments were conducted in Brazil to test the effectiveness and treatment length of tilapia skin for healing second and third degree burnt people.And the results were shocking
A new use has been found for the removed tilapia skin which is usually thrown away by fishmongers.
Scientists tried Nile Tilapia Fish Skin (NTFS) because of its high rate of type 1 collagen and its moisture that are comparable to those of human skins.
The treatment consists in cleaning, processing and sterilising the fish skin. Then an irradiation is done before applying it on the lesions of the patient.
Below are some pictures of a 23 year-old limbs burnt after a gunpowder exploded. Researchers experienced NTFS to heal his injuries
Day 1 :
Day 6 :
Day 12 :
Day 17 :
There are more patients who successfully experienced NTFS treatment.
As advantages, it is said to cost about 60% less than normal treatment, doesn't need to be removed frequently and has a lesser duration (from 10 to 20 days according to some trials). In addition, NTFS is said to prevent some downsides related to scarring. The treatment won't be threatening tilapias survival as it's the thrown away skin which is used and Brazil is known for the huge number of tilapias in its water.
Hope that can help people afford better health care.