Small Wounds, Big Problems

Wound Care Small Wounds, BIG PROBLEMS

Small or large, wounds take time to heal. Some wounds, like small cuts, can usually heal on their own. More serious wounds, like burns, infections or rashes, may require urgent medical attention. Your overall health may depend on how well you take care of wounds.

Dr. Jacobo Nurko HELP FOR CHRONIC WOUNDS As a general guideline, chronic wounds are wounds that fail to heal naturally and on their own over three months. “Some people have issues that cause small wounds to become chronic. Issues that are beyond their control,” said Dr. Jacobo Nurko, vascular surgeon and medical director of the Houston Methodist Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Program at Baytown. “That is the time you need to talk with your doctor to discuss treatment options.”

All wounds have the potential to become chronic, and factors that may contribute to poor wound healing include diabetes, neuropathy, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, infection and immunosuppression. Specialized care can help heal wounds and prevent more complex medical problems. Some technology and techniques used for treating chronic wounds include:

Wound dressings – cleansing, covering the wound and ensuring moisture balance

Debridement – scraping away tissue to allow growth of new tissue

Compression therapy – compression bandage systems

Offloading – protective footwear, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs

Hyperbaric therapy – delivering more oxygen to the wound by breathing 100% oxygen in a special chamber

At the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Program, a full spectrum of specialized care is used to treat chronic wounds. “With help from your care team, chronic wounds can heal more quickly,” said Nurko. “Don’t wait for wounds to get worse. Consult your doctor quickly to ensure for the best outcome.”

FOCUS ON PREVENTION

If you focus on preventing infection, you can help to keep your wound from becoming chronic.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. We know that wounds have a higher rate of being chronic if you have certain autoimmune or other health risks. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and adhere to your prescription medication to reduce the risk of complications. And as is often medically advised, eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, exercise, and, if a smoker, work on quitting.

Keep up with hygiene. Shower or bathe often, and wash your hands and feet. Elderly people and those with diabetes should check for small cuts, cracks, tenderness, redness or swelling on a daily basis.

Schedule regular doctor appointments.

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor to check for early signs of nerve damage or other issues.

Take your injuries seriously. If you injure yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor right away. It may require immediate attention. Even if it doesn’t, your doctor can help you create a treatment plan to help reduce the risk of infection.

Offering World-Class Wound Care For more information on the wound care treatments offered by the Houston Methodist Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Program at Baytown, one of just two programs in the Houston area certified by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, visit houstonmethodist.org/baytown or call 281.425.2160 to make an appointment.