Proud Flesh Can Be Avoided With Early Treatment
This is the excessive growth of fibroblastic cells with vascular tissue leading to more dense fibroblastic tissue called granulation tissue.  For wound healing, fibroblastic cells are necessary in the early stages of wound healing to fill in for lost tissue to a level just below the epidermis. At this stage of wound healing, the epidermis or outer layer of skin proliferates to cover the wound. However, if the granulation tissue forms in excessive amounts above the level of the epidermis, the wound will not heal, or defects in the skin or scar tissue (proud flesh) may persist.

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Where Proud Flesh Occurs
Proud flesh commonly occurs in wounds of horses at or below the knee and hock. This area of the leg consists of little muscle tissue and is mainly bone, ligaments and tendons. Consequently, the skin is less likely to stretch over the wound. Also, suturing is difficult in this area of the leg as sutures frequently will not hold.

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Proud Flesh Causes
The cause of proud flesh is foreign material from the initial injury that may be still in the wound, contaminants from the environment and wounds becoming infected with bacteria and fungi. Some disinfectants may inhibit wound healing and promote proud flesh. If wounds become infected, they will not heal properly and will respond by the growth of excessive granulation tissue.

 

If excessive granulation tissue (proud flesh) forms, it is necessary to remove it surgically or with caustic compounds which may or may not be beneficial in removing the excessive granulation tissue. Some caustic compounds may harm viable tissues or other cellular components necessary for wound healing. For this reason wounds should be treated properly soon after the injury occurs and then proud fresh is less likely to form.

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Preventing Proud Flesh Formation
For proper and efficient wound healing it is imperative to prevent proud flesh from forming. This is accomplished by keeping the wound clean and free of bacterial and fungal infections with proper therapies. Some antibacterial and antifungal agents may induce super infections which not only prevent wound healing, but will induce the formation of excessive granulation tissue. Woundade has been proven to be the ultimate therapy for wound healing as it may be used alone to prevent bacterial and fungal infections while stimulating rapid wound healing without the formation of excessive granulation tissue or proud fresh.