According to John Hopkins Medicine, it takes about three months for a wound to heal, anything longer and the wound is considered chronic. Regular wound healing can be a painful and stressful ordeal, making many patients dread a chronic wound even more. Non-healing wounds require the aid of a wound care specialist to diagnose and treat these complicated injuries. However, there are several steps patients can take during the recovery process to work with their doctor and promote wound healing.
Understanding Chronic Wounds
Whie chronic wounds are most readily identified by their lack of healing despite normal treatments, there are various other signs patients and caregivers should be aware of. Non-healing wounds can become red and inflamed, leak fluid that produces a foul smell, and even become black or blue around the edges in severe cases. If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to a wound care expert immediately to begin specialized treatment. Chronic wound healing cannot happen on its own and requires both the expertise and equipment of a medical professional.
How At-Home Wound Experts Can Help
Seeing a wound care specialist is the only way to ensure proper wound healing. Experts like the ones at Reneuvia create personalized wound care plans to fit their patients’ needs. Exact treatment will depend on individual cases, but there are a few steps every wound specialist is likely to follow. After your wound is thoroughly cleaned, a wound care expert will dress it using sterile gauze and saline. This protects the wound and keeps it hydrated to encourage blood flow. Wound care specialists can also provide topical treatments not available to non-medical people and expertly apply them.
Wound healing also often requires specialized procedures only medical professionals can perform. A chronic wound could require removal of dead or infected tissue as well as oxygen, pressure, or compression therapy. The type of chronic wound you have, and its current condition will determine which of these specialized treatments should be used. Yet another reason why a wound expert is crucial to help your wound heal.
Patient Self-Care Tips for Chronic Wound Healing
While chronic wound healing isn’t possible without wound specialists, patients can also play an important role in the recovery process. Even if patients have an at-home wound expert caring for their injury on a regular basis, there are still several measures the patient can take on their own to help things along.
Establish a Daily Wound Care Routine
Patients should start by talking to their specialist about what a daily wound care routine looks like and how they can gently wash and clean the wound. While a wound expert can clean and redress a wound for you, they can also explain how to do it yourself if need be. This will help remove debris and bacteria that could cause infections or delay healing.
After cleaning, it’s crucial to apply the correct dressing as instructed by the specialist. The type of dressing may vary depending on the wound’s condition, and it’s important to follow the guidelines carefully to maintain a sterile environment that promotes healing.
Keep the Wound Clean and Dry
Maintaining a clean and dry environment around the wound is essential for wound healing. Moisture and contamination can lead to infections, which can significantly delay recovery or worsen the wound. Patients should take extra care during bathing or showering, using waterproof coverings to protect the wound if necessary. It’s important to avoid soaking the wound in water, as this can break down the skin and introduce bacteria.
Protect from Pressure and Friction
The affected area should be treated with care, avoiding any unnecessary pressure or friction. This can be particularly challenging for wounds located on the feet or other areas prone to pressure. To mitigate this, patients can wear loose clothing and shoes that do not constrict or rub against the wound. For foot wounds, it might be helpful to use specialized footwear designed to reduce pressure and prevent further injury.
While professional pressure therapy, such as compression wraps or garments, can improve blood flow and aid in healing, it’s equally important to avoid constant pressure from tight clothing or excessive activity. Patients should be mindful of their movements and take care to reposition themselves regularly if they have limited mobility. This is especially important to prevent pressure ulcers, which can develop from prolonged pressure on the skin.
Monitor the Wound for Signs of Infection
Patients should be vigilant in observing their wounds for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or unusual discharge. If any of these symptoms occur, it’s essential to contact the wound care specialist immediately. Early intervention can prevent the infection from spreading and causing more serious complications.
Start Your Collaborative Approach to Chronic Wound Healing
Wound healing can be a long process, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. To ensure your wound gets the best treatment possible it’s important to coordinate its care with your doctors, nutritionists, caregivers, and other health professionals. This way everyone on your team is working together to encourage wound recovery.
Reneuvia works with long-term care facilities, home health agencies, caregivers, and patients directly to deliver expert wound healing services no matter where you are. Our experts are here to help heal your injuries and educate you and your team on what steps you can take on your own to improve your health. Refer a patient or enroll yourself and start your chronic wound healing process today!
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