Wound Management

Frequently Asked Questions About WoundCare at HPFY

Frequently Asked Questions About Wound Care

1. What are the most common chronic wounds?

The most common chronic wounds are ulcers. These include:

1. Venous ulcers
2. Arterial ulcers
3. Diabetic foot ulcers
4. Pressure ulcers

The next most common wounds are infectious wounds, ischemic wounds, and surgical wounds.

2. What are the types of wounds?

• Abrasion- This occurs when the skin scrapes a rough or firm surface. 
• Laceration- This is a deep cut into the skin. It can go deep into the soft tissue. 
• Puncture – This is a hole or perforation created by a sharp object into the skin. Punctures can be superficial (skin level only) as with a pinprick or an insect bite, or they can be deep, as from objects such as a knife, nail or spiked.
• Avulsion- This wound tears the skin. The damage is severe and the wound cannot be closed or repaired. The skin needs removal and possible skin grafting.

3. What factors slow the healing of a wound?

• If foreign material or debris is left in the wound, the body has difficulty healing. Any foreign material or dead skin will need to be removed from the wound. 
• Infection- The body spends energy fighting infection instead of healing the wound. 
• Poor blood flow - Some patients may have poor vascularization or blood flow to the wound area. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the wound for healing. 
• Diabetes- Blood sugar levels rise when a wound is present. The body uses energy to manage blood sugar rather than healing. Many diabetics have poor blood flow. 
• Swelling- If the swelling remains, new skin tissue will continue to break as it forms.

4. What is exudate?

• Exudate is another word for drainage from the wound. It is important to monitor the amount, color, and odor.

 

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