The Importance of Wound Care

If you have a wound that is not healing or becomes worse, it may be time to get evaluated by a wound care specialist.

AJ Flock, RN, Director, Wound Care Center, Northern Nevada Medical Center, addresses this important health concern.

What conditions are commonly treated with wound care?

Patients with diabetes or those with wounds on the lower extremities require attention from a wound care provider. Treatment plans can support various conditions including venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, wounds that have not healed within three weeks, among others.

When does a patient require hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an iron lung chamber that can be used to treat infected wounds, including bone infections, radiation injuries, and failed grafts or flaps.

Although HBOT offers rapid healing, not all wounds are suitable for treatment in the chamber. Wounds that benefit from HBOT are those focused on limb preservation due to the severity of the wound’s inability to heal. The goal is to save the limb so a patient experiences higher quality of life and healing.

How can I manage a wound at home?

For those with chronic wounds, it is important to avoid certain home care remedies, such as hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial ointments, such as Neosporin®, or Epsom salt soaks. Although these methods can be beneficial for about 50% of wounds, using these products on chronic wounds can potentially interfere with the healing process and damage healthy cells.

If you are treating a wound at home, it is recommended to keep it clean and covered. If your wound is still not healing within three weeks after the injury, visit your primary care provider to be referred to a wound care clinic.