Wound care varies

Our bodies are pretty amazing. Most of the time, our bodies can heal from injuries on their own. When there’s an injury to the skin, a set of complex biochemical events is set into motion to repair the damage. Over a period of weeks, the healing process is finished and all that’s left is a scar.

Summertime usually means a lot of scrapes and cuts. If it is a minor abrasion, first run cool water over it and clean the skin around it with soap. Bleeding actually helps clean the wound but if bleeding doesn’t stop on its own in a short time, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Leaving a wound uncovered will help it dry and heal faster but if the wound is somewhere where it may get dirty or be irritated by clothing rubbing against it, use a band aid. And remember how your mother always told you to leave the scab alone? That’s good advice. Scabs are our bodies’ natural band aids. They create a barrier to protect against infection. 

If the wound is more serious, you may need medical attention. See a doctor if the wound is deep, the edges won’t come together or the edges are jagged. You should also see a doctor if you develop a fever, you have a thick discharge or red streaks develop near the wound. And if you don’t remember when you had your last tetanus shot, you probably need one.

Sometimes, even after conventional treatments, a wound simply won’t heal. In fact, it’s estimated that at any given time, nearly 5 million Americans suffer from chronic non-healing wounds. They include people with diabetic ulcers, pressure sores or ulcers caused by circulations problems. Sometimes non-healing wounds occur after radiation therapy, surgery, injury-or they may occur spontaneously. These wounds can cause serious health risks including the possibility of amputation. While treating chronic wounds can be challenging, there have been significant treatment advances over the past few years. Centers such as the Center for Wound Care and Hyberbaric Medicine at St. Mary’s Medical Center have the right equipment and specialists required for successful wound healing. 

Wound centers use a variety of tools, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treatment. During the hyperbaric treatment, the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized tube. High levels of oxygen are delivered into the bloodstream, accelerating the healing rate of wounds. Hyberbaric oxygen therapy  can benefit some patients with radiation tissue damage,  certain infections, diabetic ulcers and in some cases, prevent amputation. 

People with diabetes or poor circulation need to take extra precautions during these crazy days of summer to protect themselves from foot injuries. It’s important to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with closed toes. Shoes with a high toe box give you plenty of room to wiggle your toes while providing protection. Check your feet at night for blisters or other irritations that could develop into a wound. A few precautions are well worth the time.