Most minor wounds can be easily remedied at home with first aid treatment. However, some wounds are deeper and therefore warrant assistance from a medical professional in order to heal properly and to prevent infections.
A wound care center can patch up all types of wounds, from skin ulcers to infected wounds to wounds that are not healing. Let’s talk about what a wound care center can do for you and where you can go for this specialized medical treatment.
Why Should I Visit a Wound Care Center?
You can expect your wound care team to examine and measure your wound. They will also check the circulation in the injured area, as well as review your medical history.
They do all of this to help them identify the cause of your wound. If you have an injury that is not healing, it may be due to poor circulation, lack of activity, poor nutrition, alcohol and tobacco use, and diabetes – and once this is determined, the medical team can treat it.
Tests and Scans for Assessing Wounds
Some of the diagnostic tests the medical team may use include the following:
- Blood tests for inflamed wounds
- Wound culture to determine the presence of viruses or bacteria
- MRI or X-ray to determine the severity of the wound
How a Wound Is Treated
Once your wound has been assessed, the doctor will recommend treatment. They will thoroughly clean your wound to prevent infections, and they will apply a dressing. Depending on the issue, you may need to visit the wound care center regularly.
Various treatment methods can be useful in fostering the healing process, including the following:
- Debridement – This involves the removal of dead tissue to facilitate healing.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – This uses air pressure to help your blood carry more oxygen for healing.
- Negative Pressure Therapy – This creates a vacuum to pull the air out of a closed dressing, thereby drawing out fluid and improving blood flow.
- Compression Stockings – These are fitted stockings or wraps that can promote circulation.
Your physician will also give you instructions for follow-ups and wound care at home.
Types of Chronic Wounds
Chronic wounds are injuries that do not easily heal under typical treatment methods and therefore require clinical assistance. Left untreated, chronic wounds might result in disability.
Some of the common types of chronic wounds that a wound care center can treat include the following:
Pressure Ulcer
Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, can happen when prolonged pressure has been placed against the skin, thereby interfering with blood flow. The pressure from the hindered blood flow erupts as an open sore on the skin. They typically form on the tailbone, hips, heels, or ankles, and they most often affect people who have medical conditions that restrict their movement.
Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Diabetes that is not managed well can cause diabetic foot ulcers on areas of the foot that experience repetitive trauma or pressure. An estimated 5% of patients with diabetes develop foot ulcers.
Nonhealing Surgical Wounds
These are caused by an incision during a surgical procedure that has not healed normally. Wound healing is a complex process that involves several factors, including adequate healthy tissue, ample oxygen supply to the area, and a robust immune system. If any of these factors are not present or are insufficient, then the wound will not be able to heal correctly.
Wound Care Center in Sherman, Texas
If you have a wound that isn’t healing properly or has become infected, visit Carrus Health in Sherman, Texas. Backed by years of experience, our healthcare team can recommend and provide treatment that will help your wound to heal so you can prevent further complications.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (903) 870-2600. We look forward to helping you heal as quickly as possible so you can get back to the life you enjoy.
