Medically speaking, a wound is any type of injury to the skin; it can be on the surface or deep and vary in severity. Proper wound care is crucial to allow your body to heal the injury and to avoid issues like chronic wounds or infections.
Wound care seems simple, but it's not always easy, especially with chronic or vascular wounds. At the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute, Dr. Hesham Fakhri cares for minor and significant wounds, especially those from varicose veins and vascular disease.
Wounds happen for various reasons — from surgical incisions to traumatic injuries. They break the skin and can get into the other tissues.
Caring for a wound is essential, no matter how big or small the injury. Wound care keeps the area clean and allows your body's natural healing process to kick in. There are several essential wound care tips we recommend:
Each type of wound is different and may require specific care. Cuts and scrapes require less management than chronic wounds, which need constant management.
The most crucial wound care tip is to keep the wound clean and follow specific instructions based on your wound type. Monitoring the wound daily is essential to detect any issues before they become a significant problem.
There are various complications of poorly or untreated wounds that lead to serious problems. The most significant complication of an open wound is infection.
The open area allows bacteria and other harmful substances to enter the body. As the bacteria multiply, they cause inflammation and symptoms like redness, purulent drainage, and swelling around the wound.
If left untreated, the infection can spread into your bloodstream, causing a medical emergency called sepsis. Cellulitis and osteomyelitis are other infections that affect the skin and bones.
Wounds can also heal slowly due to peripheral artery disease and neuropathy, which causes chronic or non-healing wounds. These wounds require specialized care to avoid amputation or other problems.
Nerve damage and loss of function in the area are severe complications of untreated or serious wounds.
Not every wound requires professional care, but if you have heart or vascular issues, it may be necessary to stay safe. If you have a wound that doesn't seem to heal even with home care, come see us for treatment.
Non-healing wounds are a key problem for people with diabetes and peripheral vascular problems. We address the root cause of the wound and provide wound care at our office and tips for continuing care at home.
You may also require professional wound care if you have increased pain around the wound or signs of an infection. Seek treatment when you notice a problem to get the proper care to avoid more serious complications.
Our team provides various wound care strategies along with professional care to effectively treat wounds. We also provide compression garments, dietary tips, and bandage changes to keep wounds healthy and healing appropriately.
Call us at the Vein, Heart, and Vascular Institute today to schedule an appointment for wound care, or request a consultation here. We have offices in Tampa, Wesley Chapel, and Sun City Center, Florida.
