Doctors Use Fish Scales To Treat Woman’s Burned Body

#1 She Was Burned Badly In A Work Accident

After getting second-degree burns from a gas cooker explosion, Maria Ines Candido da Silva was the first burn victim to ever be treated with fish scales. Yes, fish scales!

#2 She Had Severe Burns All Over Her Body

The 36-year-old waitress suffered severe burns to her arms, neck and some of her face after a gas canister exploded at the restaurant she was working in Russas, northeast Brazil.

#3 She Is Offered To Be Part Of An Experimental Treatment

But doctors offered her an alternative treatment, to dress her wounds with tilapia skin instead of traditional ointments. It is believed to be the first time in medical history that scientists have used the skin of a fish as a plaster to treat burn victims.

#4 They Used The Skin From The Scavenger Tilapia Fish

According to Dr. Edmar Maciel, one of the plastic surgeons who developed the treatment, along with Dr. Marcelo Borges, Tilapia skin contains ‘optimum levels of collagen type one' and high degrees of humidity, so it takes a long time to dry out. These are important characteristics known for healing burns and for providing patients with essential proteins.

#5 The Fish Skin Covers And Heals the Wounds

He said, "We discovered that Tilapia fish skin performs significantly better in the healing process by soothing and curing severe wounds caused by burns." Stunned by the offer, Maria accepted the bizarre treatment to ease her suffering. She said, "I was in absolute agony and desperate for anything to ease my suffering. I loved the treatment and would recommend it to anyone who has suffered like me.'

#6 The Fish Skim Speeds Up Recovery And Aids In Developing New Skin

The Tilapia skins were wrapped in the burned part of her legs, arms, and face. The results are miraculous, to say the least! The fish skin sped up recovery by providing high levels of collagen and essential proteins and reduces the risk of infection. The fish skin grafts on her hands, legs, and arms were replaced many times over a 10 day period to restore the damaged tissue.

#7 It's Like Science Fiction

Maria Ines said the Tilapia fish skin treatment felt futuristic as if it was from a "sci-fi movie". Burn survivors do not need to take painkillers with this ground-breaking therapy and the fish skin is said to reduce anticipated healing times by one to six days.

#8 The Treatment Is Inexpensive, Quick, And Easy

Brazil does not use animal skins from pigs and dogs for treating wounds. It has three human skin banks that serve one percent of its 200 million population. Dr Borges explained, "This new Tilapia dressing is cheap and easy to sustain unlike the expensive human skin banks that countries like ours have difficulty funding and maintaining.

"We've been working on this project for over two years and believe we can look forward to a time when this low-cost viable healing aid will be used to make a radical difference to thousands of burn victims in developing and poor countries, saving time, medication costs and hours of pain."

#9 After The Fish Skin Is Removed The New Human Skin Heals Without Scars

Maria Ines revealed she is nearly 100 percent better as the fish dressing made a huge difference to her recovery. In less than two weeks, her wounds were practically healed, and she will have little to no scarring.

#10 The Fish Skin Is Treated Thoroughly Before Being Used On Burn Patients

The researchers put the skin through a rigorous process that removes scales, muscle tissue, toxins and any possibility of transmitted diseases. They also get rid of the fishy smell. It is stretched and laminated then stored in refrigerated banks based in Sao Paulo, in strips of 10cm by 20cm for up to two years. Maria's face and neck were a bit touchy, as doctors were not sure about the desired results.

#11 She Recovered Beautifully

This is Maria, fully recovered and without any facial scars, just weeks after her injuries. She said living day-to-day with fish skin on her body was "a really bizarre experience" she said. "I highly recommend anyone to go for this option if it is available. I believe the doctors have found a cure for skin problems of all types. I pray," she continued.

The two researchers are determined now to make this available to hospitals across the country and treat a further 500 patients before officially launching the innovative Tilapia fish skin procedure worldwide.

#12 See How It Was All Done

Don't forget to share this life-saving article after watching how it all happened.