Nurse Claims Wound

Must Heal From the Inside Over Time

DEAR DR. ROACH: Whenever I got a wound while I was young, my mother would take me to the hospital to get stitches. I am now 94. I went to get a wound seen, and the nurse said that it needed to heal from the inside. They treated it with gauze, wrapping and then a stocking. It took months to heal. Why the big change? Why couldn’t they have just put in stitches and saved me months of healing?

-- D.J.

ANSWER: A wound can be sutured (stitched) closed when it is new, clean and regular. A wound cannot be closed if it is infected or irregular. Most chronic wounds cannot be closed by stitching. Also, if there is a lot of swelling around the wound, there may be so much pressure that the wound cannot be closed and must be allowed to heal over time. This is often the case with larger wounds.

Basic principles of wound healing are to treat and prevent infection by bacteria or other germs, control pain and bleeding, and avoid treatments that are toxic to open wounds. I hear very frequently from people who have mistreated wounds. Strong agents like hydrogen peroxide, iodine, bleach and even soaps will kill more of your body’s healing cells than bacteria, and they should not be used in open wounds.

I also hear people say wounds “need air,” but wounds heal faster when they are moist. A barrier like petrolatum (Vaseline or many other proper wound-care agents) and a clean cover will accelerate wound healing. Most wounds do not need topical antibiotics, and these should only be used when recommended by an expert. The best experts for wound care are wound-care nurses and, in extreme cases, vascular or plastic surgeons. It takes time for a wound to heal. How much time depends on many factors, but a time span of months is not unusual, especially with a person in their 90s, who may not have the same blood supply they had when they were much younger.

***

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

© 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

Vunte s

Needed

• Patrick Place - A Comfort Care Home: Resident Care, Fundraising, Community Outreach. Email cchpatrickplace@gmail.com

• Webster Comfort Care Home: Our volunteers o er compassionate care to our 2 residents who are approaching the end of their lives, we o er run the clock care. Volunteers are responsible for all aspects of resident care. Email volunteercoord@webstercomfortcare.org

• Advent House: We are a 2 bed comfort care home for the dying. Seeking volunteers to provide hands on care. Contact us for more information. 585-223-6112 or email volunteer@theadventhouse.org

• UR Medicine Home Care: Meals On Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals in Monroe County. We deliver Monday- Friday between the hours of 10:20 am and 1:30 pm depending on where you deliver. Call 585-274-4385 for more information or visit our website at www. homecare.urmc.edu

• Honeoye Falls - Town of Mendon Historical Society: e Honeoye Falls - Town of Mendon Historical Society is in need of docents to volunteer at our Museum for its standard Sunday a ernoon hours (2-4pm). Email president@hfmhistorical.org or call 585-281-0014

• Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum: Available roles for volunteers include ride operator, special events, maintenance, and docent. Email info@carrouselmuseum.org

• Webster Community Chest, LLC: Serving 14580 area residents in need of help. Volunteers needed for monthly food distribution other fundraisers and food drives. Seeking new Board members also. See our website for details. Email webcommchest@gmail.com

• Hospeace House Inc: Looking for something meaningful in your life? We are a 2-bed comfort care home for those facing end-of-life. In addition to resident care volunteers, we are seeking volunteers to assist with social media, newsletters, events and fundraising. Visit us- www. HospeaceHouse.org Email volunteercoordinator@hospeacehouse.org or call 585-374-2090

• Hospeace House In Naples: Serving Naples and surrounding communities in a two bedroom comfort care home. Donate to e Wild ower Challenge to defray operation costs and volunteer for resident care, cleaning, cooking and shopping. Visit Hospeacehouse.org or call 585-374-2090

• House of John: e House of John is a 2-bedroom Comfort Care Home located in Cli on Springs. We provide end-of-life care to those unable to be cared for at home at no cost to the resident. We are looking for caring, reliable people willing to share 4-8 hrs. a month to assist with resident care. No caregiving experience required. All training is provided free of charge. If interested, please call or email the House at 315-462-5646 or house@houseo ohn.org

• Perinton Ambulance: Seeking volunteers for general o ce/administrative work as well as building & grounds. Hours and tasks vary based on ability and availability. Email volunteer@pvac.org

• Catholic Charities of Bu alo: e Home Visitation Program needs Friendly Home Visitors, age 21+ to volunteer one hour each week through in person visits or calls to a 60+ older adult in Genesee County who is living independently and has expressed feelings of loneliness. Call Lisa Wittmeyer at 716-341-6751 to learn more about volunteering with us.

• Light Hill, of Canandaigua Comfort Care Home Inc.: A two-bed end of life care home. We are always seeking volunteers for hands-on care, home & garden maintenance, light housekeeping and/or fundraising support! Contact us today or ll out an application on our website at lighthillhome. org. We would be so honored to add YOU to our extended family! Email us at mk@lighthillhome.org or call 585-393-1311.

GARDEN BOX SPACE (w/plants) available at St. Timothy Church in Geneseo: 585-243-4777

RUSTIC BLUEBIRD HOUSE. Call Sunday evening 315-524-5495

SCHWINN RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE, model 223, in good working condition. Adjustable seat: 585-235-0935

Six TIRES 185/55R/16. Very good tread: 585-424-0982

Three 5-gallon containers of W.R. MEADOWS SEAL TIGHT, CS-309-25. Nonyellowing, curing, and sealing compound for protection of concrete: 585-993-5523

QUEEN SIZE MATTRESS w/frame and an ELECTRIC HOSPITAL BED w/mattress, sheets and covers: 585-889-9021

FORGET-ME-NOT PLANTS in Penfield: 585-671-0703 (lv. msg.)

AEROBIC POINT 25 STATIONARY EXERCISE BIKE: tjpr@yahoo.com

POOL SUPPLIES - Dual water bags, sand filter, ladder, 16x32 solar cover, hose. Webster: Call4carol@gmail.com

PING PONG TABLE. You pick up, Henrietta: 585-404-5763

MEDICINE CABINET, 16” x 22” full mirror: 607-382-8350

SHONINGER SPINET PIANO and BENCH. Good condition. Needs tuning. You move: lbuckner31049@gmail.com

OLD MAGAZINES - 40s Screen Guide, 50s Life, 1952 Colliers, 1941 Radio Mirror. All poor condition: 585-671-2598

HEATWAVE PORTABLE CAMPFIRE UNIT. Good condition. Comes with a grill top and a HIBACHI GRILL. Good condition: 585-671-2598

AGED HORSE MANURE. Great for gardening. Can load. Clifton Springs: 585-208-3982

TIRES. Hankook 275/55R20. Factory tires F150. 2 y/o good tread remaining about 30k on: pdc964@gmail.com

2’x4’ FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURE. Works. Good for a shop or garage. Conesus: 585-764-8301

Large quantity of BUSINESS ENVELOPES WITH WINDOW. Return address is printed on but can be covered with a label: 585-748-3148

TWIN X-LONG FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER: 585-259-8464

LANDSCAPING BRICKS and PAVERS. Several different styles. You pick it up. Text only: 585-519-7369

QUIET GLIDE 5-DRAWER TOOL CHEST: sdimpfl45@gmail.com

LAP QUILTING VHS TAPES (set of 10) by Georgia Bonesteel: 585-362-7914

ONETOUCH ULTRA 2 GLUCOSE METER with case and a sealed bag of Lancets. Does NOT Include Test Strips: eschroll123@gmail.com

RASCAL SCOOTER in good working condition, scratches, and dents okay.

COSTUME JEWELRY, any condition and an ATARI 2600 w/accessories and games: 585-415-8513

BROTHER ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER for senior citizen: 585-703-7196

VINTAGE ARCHERY RECURVE BOWS/ARROWS/ACCESSORIES for Scout Archery Merit Badge: Text 585-794-0448 or email mintshape@netacc.net

Hobby grade RC VEHICLES, vintage or newer, gas nitro, electric, parts or whole, running or not, for father son projects: 585-363-1903

SPRING CEDAR TREES. Entire trees or just the limbs. Will load and remove! Mothersfield@aol.com

All DC and MARVEL COMIC BOOKS; any year, any issue, any condition: impani_m@yahoo.com

FULLSIZE LIGHTBAR and UTILITY TRAILER: 585-447-0201

INK PRINTER CARTRIDGES, Number 60 and 61 for HP Printer: 585-519-3325

Thank you

YARN - For a mission project. Can pick up. Thank you! Webster: 585-265-4548

One lightweight and one portable type of VACUUM CLEANER, TRANSISTOR RADIO, small FILE CABINET with key. Webster/surrounding area: 585-424-0732

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, a RECLINER, and a working 2.7L ENGINE to fit a 2008 Dodge Charger or a used vehicle in good working condition: 585-883-7387

LIFT CHAIR: Donna.lievense@gmail.com

1970s VINTAGE RANSOM MACHINE REST: 585-335-5184

70s STEREO EQUIPMENT: Receivers, Speakers, Turntables, Reel to Reels, Amplifiers, Records, Reel Tapes, Old Nintendo Games: 585-883-5334

RIDING LAWNMOWERS. Working or not: 518-888-4216

70s-80s-90s ROCK and ROLL 8 TRACK TAPES, CASSETTES, RECORDS for personal collection. Thanks: gzintel1967@gmail.com

INCONTINENCE ADULATION, men large, for elderly relative in nursing home. If you have any unused unwanted, I will take them! Bargainhunter22@ymail.com

Seeking DIRT BIKES, ATVs or GO-KARTS for father son project. Will pick up, call or text Matt: 315-576-1278

In need of a FOLDING GROCERY CART for a new refugee family: 716-430-2876

FLATSCREEN TV, any size. In good working condition: 585-867-3355

FULL-SIZE LIGHT BAR and 8’ TONNEAU COVER: 585-447-0201

Used/New SUV in good working condition for retired couple to transport the elderly to appointments and errands: 585-398-7626

TWIN SIZE BED in good condition. Needed for elderly couple. Call or text: 585-719-7866

9” or 10” straight edge, GLASS PIE DISH: salvatore.d.timpani@gmail.com

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NOW HERE’S A TIP! By

Joann Derson

* Use a mesh bag to hold owers in place in a vase. Just roll or wad it up and put it down in the bottom of the vase. When you are done with the owers, you can use a stick to swish the bag around and loosen any gunk inside the vase when cleaning. Launder the mesh or just toss.

* “To make a waterproof mattress protector in a pinch, slit a large garbage bag down the side and bottom, lay it at over the mattress and cover with a beach towel. en put the sheet over that. e garbage bag protects the mattress; the towel makes it comfortable. “ -- U.D. in Tennessee

* “Keep extra liner bags in the bottom of the garbage can. ey are handy, so you will be more likely to reline the can as soon as you take the garbage out.” -- K.P. in Massachusetts

* Keep a box of baking soda in the fridge. When it’s time to replace it, dump it down the drain and follow with a small bottle of vinegar and a hot water ush. Keep your kitchen smelling nice and use less chemicals to do it.

* “Here’s a fun invitation to make and receive: Blow up a balloon and pinch (don’t tie). Write the details of the party on the balloon in permanent marker. Let it dry fully before you de ate it. en send it!” -- R.A. in Washington

DID YOU KNOW? The demand for qualified, talented nurses figures to grow in the years to come.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half a million nurses are expected to retire by 2022. Couple that with an existing nursing shortage, and the BLS projects a need for 1.1 million registered nurses in the near future. A shortage also figures to affect Canada, where the Canadian Nurses Association recently estimated that the country would be forced to confront a nursing shortage of roughly 60,000 nurses by 2022. Various factors are contributing to the nursing shortage in both countries, including an increasingly large aging population that will require more and more nurses to meet its health care needs. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010, increased access to health care for millions of people across the country, thereby creating a greater need for nurses and other health care professionals. In addition, a greater emphasis on preventive care in many countries across the globe figures to compel more people to visit their physicians even when they’re otherwise feeling healthy. As more people prioritize preventive care, the need for more nurses will likely increase.

HOW DO WE KNOW LASIK IS SAFE?

(NAPSI)—For those thinking about their vision correction options, the question “Is LASIK safe?” is likely top of mind. To answer, ophthalmologist and chair of the Refractive Surgery Clinical Committee for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, John Vukich, M.D., provides hard data:

LASIK has been around for a long time, 20 years, with 19.1 million procedures in the U.S. alone. An enormous amount of research has been conducted: There are more than 7,000 peer-reviewed clinical studies on LASIK performance, safety and outcomes. Based on that science, we know LASIK is very safe and has a less than 1 percent risk of sight-threatening complications. In fact, studies showLASIKissaferthanlong-term contact lens wear, where the risk of infection is actually pretty high. The patient satisfaction rate with LASIK is more than 96 percent, the highest of any elective medical procedure available today. However,LASIKisn’tforeveryone. The only way to know for certain is to have a thorough eye exam with a highly qualified refractive surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate and then decide if it is right for you and your vision.