Most wounds involve damage to your skin, and these superficial injuries can occur on the outer layer of your skin and may even go deeper. The longer and/or deeper the cut, the more likely the need for stitches to heal the wound properly and to avoid infection.
Some wounds, however, involve internal injury and may not break the skin at all. These include injuries such as sudden trauma that causes internal bleeding or whiplash from a car accident. The severity of the damage will vary depending on the cause and how much trauma the body endured.
A wound care center will be able to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat a wound of any kind, whether superficial wounds that require stitches or internal wounds that require X-rays or CT scans for proper diagnosis and treatment. Internal wounds can be very difficult or impossible to detect yourself, and they can be fatal if not handled by skilled medical professionals.
Acute Wounds vs. Chronic Wounds
Acute wounds include minor cuts, lacerations, and abrasions. Often, these can easily be remedied using normal first aid treatments.
Although they are not always severe, acute wounds still need to be adequately cleaned to prevent infection and to promote skin healing. Generally, they stop bleeding and quickly heal on their own.
Chronic wounds, however, do not heal without medical intervention. Normal treatment methods, such as first aid, do not work.
Some examples of chronic wounds are:
- Arterial ulcers
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores)
- Vasculitic ulcers
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Nonhealing surgical wounds
How a Wound Care Center Can Help
Minor acute wounds can be treated with regular first aid: bandages, hydrogen peroxide, etc. If applying gentle pressure and elevating the area doesn’t stop the bleeding, or if the wound isn’t beginning to heal after a couple of days, you must see a doctor so the injury doesn’t become infected.
An infection can spread to other parts of your body and cause a severe reaction. It is best to go to a wound care center where wounds and injuries are treated every day.
A chronic wound needs urgent medical care and treatment so it does not cause a fatal infection. For this type of injury, go to a wound care center immediately. These wounds can lead to severe and dangerous complications.
Can I Treat My Wound Myself?
If you do not have medical training but you’re trying to treat your own wound, you could actually be making your injury worse. An experienced medical provider will treat your wound properly and stifle any further developments and infections.
Deep puncture wounds or internal wounds require professional medical treatment in order to avoid infections and further complications, such as sepsis. This is when a bacterial infection enters your bloodstream, which can quickly affect other organs and cause organ failure.
If a wound isn’t healing, it may be due to one or more factors, including:
- Inadequate blood supply or low oxygen
- Infection
- Weak immune system
- Tissue swelling
- Medical conditions such as diabetes
These are obviously conditions that must be addressed by a physician or a nurse practitioner. Do not hesitate to go to a wound care center to treat your injury properly, so you can heal fully and without infections.
Wound Care Center in Sherman, Texas
Chronic wounds or injuries can develop into more serious health issues, so you must not take them lightly or try to treat them yourself. Go to a wound care center immediately for a prompt evaluation and treatment, and avoid serious infections and possibly life-threatening organ failure.
Here at Carrus, we are a wound care center that can treat and manage your wounds. Our goal is to help your wound to heal completely so you can achieve a complete recovery without further complications.
If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, you may contact us at (903) 870-2600. We look forward to giving you individualized healthcare for a lifetime of health and wellness.
