Wounds occur from different causes, including injuries or poor circulation. They develop when the outer layer of your skin has damage such as a cut, burn, or puncture. Wounds that develop from poor circulation occur when there is an insufficient blood supply to some body parts. Whichever the cause of your injury, the skilled wound care specialist in Memphis, Dr. Ellichman, can help you prevent infections and promote healing. Here is what there is to know about wound care.
What is wound care?
Usually, most wounds need cleaning and disinfecting to enhance healing. Wound care is the act of treating injuries, including ulcers, to lower the risk of infection and improve recovery. It involves wound cleaning, antibiotics, and debridement, removing the dead tissue.
Other than blocking infection development, wound care enhances healing and new tissue production. It also prevents limb loss and amputation.
Wound care is critical for diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Without proper management of diabetes, it causes harm to nerves and blood vessels, leading to wound development that becomes bigger or takes time to heal. Wound care is essential in lowering your risk of foot amputation.
When do you need wound care?
Wound care is vital for various types of wounds, such as:
- Venous ulcers
- Slow-healing wounds
- Pressure ulcers
- Diabetic wounds
When wounds do not receive proper care, they put you at risk of infections, which may lead to limb loss or tissue death.
Diabetic patients have a high risk of complications with wounds. Diabetes causes poor circulation which lowers the healing process. It also causes nerve damage which makes you not feel wounds as they develop or get infected.
Why do you need wound care?
Effective wound care is necessary for the following reasons.
- To prevent infections and further wound development
- To relieve pressure on the affected part
- To enhance faster healing through stimulation of new tissues and cell growth.
- To reduce the risk of amputation
What happens during a wound care appointment?
Your provider at Ellichman Vein and Vascular Centers takes a closer look at your wounds through a comprehensive exam. Dr. Ellichman also performs tests to determine the cause of your impairment, including vascular ultrasounds, blood tests, ankle-brachial index, and wound cultures.
He cleans the wound after examination and removes the infected and dead tissues. Then, he puts in an antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
Vascular evaluation is critical when you have a foot ulcer or wound.
With regular wound care from Dr. Ellichman, it is possible to regulate the wound through cleaning, promoting healing.
Wound care is critical for every type of wound for improved healing and lowers the chance of infections. Diabetic patients are likely to have many wound complications; hence comprehensive wound care through diabetes management is essential. Your provider at Ellichman Vein and Vascular Centers offers effective wound care to all patients to promote healing and prevent limb loss. It involves cleaning, antibiotic treatment, and dead tissue removal through debridement. Kindly book your appointment with Dr. Ellichman today to have your wounds checked.