Wound Care: Critical Part of Recovery

You would agree that wound care has been around for a long time is an understatement. You can track it back to the earliest civilizations, and you would be surprised to know that the ancient Greeks were among the first to stress the importance of wound healing.

Wound care has come a long way since then. Therefore, you cannot stress its importance in the role of recovery. Here we discuss why wound care plays a vital role in your recovery process.

During summers and with the sun burning bright, fun is a prime time for accidents and injuries. A record number of wound-related injuries are often reported during this time of year. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the difference between different types of wounds—also the ways to seek treatment. 

At the same time, it is also vital for healthcare providers to know how to treat a wound and ways to detect infection properly. We explore the different types of wounds. And also the methods to properly provide proper care. 

Keep in mind the importance of preventing infections. You should also recognize the signs and symptoms of the wound and ways to provide an accurate plan of action for treatment.

Wound Care: The Basics

There are two ways that wounds heal – regeneration or scar formation. 

During regeneration, the tissues that have been damaged are replaced by tissue of the same type. This method preserves the proper functioning of the area of your body that has been injured. 

But in scar formation, the damaged tissue is replaced by fibrous scar tissue, which does not have the same properties as the original tissue.

The Importance of Wound Care in Recovery

Proper wound care can prevent infection and other complications. It can also help speed up the healing process with less scarring.

Preventing Infection

If you keep continual attention to your wound dressings and bandages, there will be a minimal risk of infection and other complications. In case of abnormal bleeding secretion, your doctor can open the wound and check. 

Moreover, your doctor can make medically-important decisions by changing your dressings. They can also note your wound’s progress and make observations of discharge, bleeding, temperature, and smell.

Your doctor should generally clean every wound once a day with disinfectant specific to wound care. They could use clean water or saline and apply clean dressings.

Speeds Healing

A potentially dangerous myth is that wounds would heal faster if left uncovered. But it is simply not true. Covering your wound throughout the healing process increases the healing process. Moreover, a properly maintained bandage will provide additional protection against infection.

Minimizes Scarring

Remember that you keep the wound soft through the complete healing process. It will help to minimize your scars. At the same time, it will not allow hard scabs to form. Moreover, antibiotic ointments and other treatment options generally recommended by your physician will increase the wound healing process. Applying it during the early stages of healing will keep the skin around the wound soft and pliable.

Once your wound has healed enough that there is no risk of infection. You can also use an antibiotic ointment. Else you can also use vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel, or petroleum jelly. Just message the area while working with the thicker scar tissue. It keeps your wound from becoming stiff. Softer skin will heal with a less noticeable scar.

It is important to note that the wound healing process is quite complex and fragile. Remember that interruption or failure may lead to non-healing chronic wounds. It may involve factors such as diabetes, arterial or venous disease, infection, and the metabolic deficiencies of old age.

Types of Wounds

As you might have seen, there are several different types of wounds. But they can also be categorized as open or closed wounds. 

Open wounds are those defined as a break in your skin as it leaves internal tissue exposed to the elements. Some examples of open wounds may include puncture wounds, abrasions, lacerations, ulcers, and burns. 

In contrast, a closed wound is defined as internal tissue damage. The bleeding may occur under the surface of your skin, such as a bruise. You can treat most open wounds at homes, such as minor cuts and scrapes. Remember that you can quickly treat these wounds using first aid supplies with proper care.

Follow these steps:

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before you start.
• You need to ensure no foreign dirt or material can be transferred to your wound while cleaning.
• It is advisable to wear disposable gloves if they are available.
• Never try to remove anything deeply embedded in the wound. Seek immediate medical advice.
• Foreign objects may be present that may reduce potential blood loss by obstructing the opening.
• Removing the object might cause additional harm and increased blood loss.
• You should rinse the wound under running tap water for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Use cold water as bacteria may grow in hot water tanks. 
• You can soak a gauze pad or cloth in saline solution or tap water. You can also use an alcohol-free wipe and gently dab or wipe the affected area.
• Antiseptics might damage your skin and are not advised.
• Thereafter, gently pat the area dry. You can use a clean and sterile towel or gauze.
• You should avoid fabrics that shed. The reason being the strands of material may become stuck to the wound.
• You can apply a sterile dressing like a non-adhesive gauze pad with medical tape.
• You can also use a waterproof dressing if available.
• Adjust the dressing such that it is secure to the body and does not allow any movement.
• Do not apply adhesive on the wound itself by using a large enough dressing.
• In case you notice blood quickly soaks through the dressing, you can leave it in place. You can add another layer of dressing while continuing to apply pressure on the wound.
• If you notice the bleeding continues beyond 20 minutes, you should visit your doctor immediately. 

Important Wound Care Tips

When treating someone else’s wound, narrate your actions as you perform them. So that they are aware and can expect them. Also, ensure the person is sitting or lying down in a comfortable position. It will allow you to access the wound fully. Moreover, you will not require additional movement on the patient’s part during the wound treatment procedure.

You should call the doctor if the wound is more than a half inch deep or the bleeding does not stop with direct pressure. You must seek medical attention immediately if the bleeding lasts longer than 20 minutes.

When to seek medical advice

Visit your nearest urgent treatment center for immediate care.

• If your wound does not stop bleeding and lasts longer than 20 minutes.
• It is very large or very deep, over half an inch.
• Has dirt or other foreign material embedded in the wound.
• If it is too painful for you to clean properly.
• If the wound is near a major blood vessel or joint.
• Becomes red and swollen or streaky, or you notice it leaks pus which might indicate infection.
• The wound was caused by a bite. Remember that all animal and human bites generally require additional medical care.

Wound Care and What are the Signs of Infection?

The most common complication for a wound is generally the risk of infection. Remember that it is crucial to properly care for an injury so that it heals entirely with as few complications as possible. If you do not clean the wounds properly, there are increased risks of infection. But remember, all wounds may be at risk. Monitor your healing process and keep an eye out for signs of infection.

There are a few of the signs of infection include the following:

• Swelling and redness around the wound and can be hot to the touch.
• Can increase damage of blood and pus.
• Thick green, yellow, or brown pus that could have a foul odor.
• Developing a fever over 100.4°F or 38°C for more than four hours.
• The wound does not show signs of healing.

As you know, an infection in an open wound is not detected in time and treated properly. The condition can become more severe and develop into more dangerous conditions. Conditions like lockjaw, necrotizing fasciitis, and cellulitis.

• Do you know that lockjaw: A condition often caused by an infection from the bacteria that causes tetanus? It is also responsible and can cause muscle contractions in your neck and jaw.
• Necrotizing fasciitis: It is a severe soft tissue infection caused by a variety of bacteria, including Clostridium and Streptococcus, which might lead to tissue loss and sepsis.
• Cellulitis: It is an infection of your skin that is not in immediate contact with the wound. Cellulitis is a common and painful bacterial skin infection. Initially, it might appear as a red, swollen area that might feel hot and tender to the touch. Note that swelling and redness can spread quickly.

Conclusion: Assessment Is Very Critical For Wound Care

As you read above, wounds are described as either acute or chronic. Note that a chronic wound is a wound that has failed to heal in 4 to 6 weeks and does not move through the normal stages of healing. In such a scenario, when wounds fail to heal, they can result in infection and pain and could lead to amputation.  In addition, chronic wounds can lead to other consequences as well. 

You should know that wounds can have many different causes and influences. Therefore, when choosing the right wound care plan, you must consider all the factors. These factors that contribute to wound healing are addressed in your treatment. 

Your wound care specialist can easily measure your skin tissue’s blood flow and oxygen level. Especially in and around the lesion, and provide a more accurate assessment of healing potential. They can also help determine the best course of care. 

Most wound care centers offer a range of treatments – to revitalize those tissues with poor circulation or other problems related to healing. The canters can promote the growth of new blood vessels and incredibly healthy tissues. Most wound care centers provide critical patient education as they address underlying risk factors and minimize the risk of recurrence.

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