"It’s all about skin.”  

Heart 4 the Wounded's conference programme offers a comprehensive exploration of skin health and care. The sessions cover various topics, equipping attendees with practical strategies for maintaining and improving their skin's health. The ‘Intact Skin’ session focuses on recognising, protecting, and caring for healthy skin, including topics like inflammation, skin microbiomes, cosmetic procedures, allergies, and the relationship between skin and sex.  

The ‘Broken Skin’ session addresses challenges associated with skin injuries, such as open skin injuries, chronic wounds, cancer-related skin issues, surgical site infections, reconstructive surgery, and advanced wound healing technologies.  

The ‘Skin Challenges’ session focuses on rare skin disorders, spinal injuries, mobility issues, and scar management. Workshops on lymphedema and specialised skin care areas provide practical insights.  

The programme's ‘Special Features’ include a talk on Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) by the charity Debra, a workshop on wound products, and the celebration of the achievements of the Eloquent student group in the field.  

At the heart of Heart 4 the Wounded lies the power of networking and collaboration. We aim to bring together healthcare professionals, industry members, and organisations, fostering an environment of shared learning and skill development. Through this collective effort, we strive to embrace new knowledge and advance our understanding of the diverse dimensions surrounding wounds and healing.  

As we embark on this year’s conference, let us forge connections, build bridges, and work hand in hand to make a difference. Together, we can illuminate the path towards a brighter future for those impacted by wounds, inspiring hope and healing in every step we take.  

Our aim this year is also to raise funds for DEBRA SA a local organisation supporting patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). By registering as a delegate for the conference you can also contribute to funding DEBRA. EB is an illness that causes the skin to be fragile or loose. Because the skin is so fragile, it can be easily injured, causing painful blisters to form. These blisters can cause serious problems if they become infected and this can be fatal. EB is rare, hereditary and incurable. Anyone can have EB. Generally, the symptoms first appear in babies or toddlers.  

There are three main types of EB:  

• Simplex: Affects the epidermis (outer skin) all over the body
• Junctional: Affects the layer between the epidermis and dermis
• Dystrophic: Affects the dermis (inner skin) nearest the flesh.

For more information on the conference and on DEBRA visit
www.heart4thewounded.co.za