4 Ways Wound Care Services Can Aid Your Healing Process
Posted on: 20 February 2019
Typically, when you get a cut, it heals on its own within a week or two. However, sometimes wounds need extra care. If you're diabetic, recovering from surgery, having mobility issues, or dealing with a wound that won't heal, you may need to seek professional treatment. That's where wound care services can come in. Here are four ways wound care services can aid your healing process:
1. Prevent and heal pressure ulcers.
Pressure ulcers are also known as bed sores, and they can become a problem for anyone who is bedridden or has difficulty moving. Pressure ulcers can be prevented by changing your position several times per day. If you're unable to do this yourself, a nurse can help to reposition you. If you've already developed pressure ulcers, a wound care team can help them heal by taking pressure off the existing wounds. This can be done using cushions to prop you up and keep you off the affected area. Your healthcare professionals will also help you clean and bandage your pressure ulcers to help them heal faster.
2. Prevent infection.
If you have recurring wounds or wounds that won't heal, infection quickly becomes a big concern. Left untreated, an infection can spread into your bloodstream, causing the wound to go septic. In certain cases, this can lead to loss of the limb, or it can even be fatal. Wound care staff will help you prevent infection by keeping your wound clean and dry. They will change your bandages as necessary and administer antibiotics if they become necessary.
3. Manage your pain.
No matter the source, open wounds can be a cause of pain. This pain can keep you up at night and even take away your appetite: both things that are detrimental to your health. Your wound care team can help you manage your pain by prescribing pain management medication. Depending on your condition, overall health, and the severity of your pain, you may be given narcotic or non-narcotic drugs. Your doctor will talk to you about your pain management options, including potential side effects or drawbacks of different treatments.
4. Remove necrotic tissue.
In some cases, your skin may start to die due to illness, infection, or injury. Left alone, this necrotic tissue can make you even sicker, so it's important to have it removed. Your wound care service will remove this dead tissue through a method known as debridement. Wound debridement can be painful, so your doctor may utilize local anesthetic before the procedure, in order to make you more comfortable.
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