Chronic wounds affect about 6.5 million American people, and due to the quickly rising amount of cases of diabetes, this number will surely increase in the coming years. Though many sufferers of chronic wounds are diabetics, they can also be caused by vascular diseases, infections, surgeries, immobility, burns, and more.
Proper wound care is of the utmost importance for anyone with an open wound, but particularly for those with chronic wounds. Consistently having open wounds on the body largely increases a patient's risk for infection, which could lead to larger issues. Therefore, keeping an eye on wounds to ensure that they're properly healing is imperative. If you're noticing any of the following issues, it's likely a sign that your wound care regimen isn't effective and you should seek the advice of a medical professional.
An Increase of Pain
Though a healing wound may itch or ache, the physical discomfort it causes you should be diminishing over time, not worsening. If this happens, or if the wound feels hot to the touch, it's a good idea to bring it to the attention of your doctor.
A Presence of Discharge or Odor
When an infection occurs, the affected wound will often ooze a discharge that thick and may have a yellowish tinge. There may also be a bad odor coming from the wound which is also a sign of a serious infection, as it's the result of decaying flesh. If either of these issues should occur, wash it gently with soap and warm water – avoid anything with added fragrances. Cover the wound with Tegaderm film or another trusted brand of wound care dressings, such as Allevyn and see a healthcare professional immediately.
Swelling
It's normal for a wound to be red or swollen when it's first present, but it should begin to subside after a few days. If the swelling increases or persists after three or four days, it's a surefire sign that the wound isn't properly healing. It's especially important for diabetics and those with immobility to take note of swelling and redness, because it's not uncommon for these patients to lose feeling in the area of the wound, especially the feet. Visual cues will help you to be sure that wounds are properly healing.
No Visual Improvements after 30 Days
Though your pain or the swelling may not have increased, it's important to note if it also hasn't decreased. The body is fairly good at healing itself and if it's not doing the job, something else could be awry.
A wound that doesn't heal can be extremely problematic. Amputation and even death are very possible consequences of improper wound care, so having the best-quality wound dressings, ointments, and wound cleaning supplies is paramount. Keep a good watch on the wound's progress, but if none seems to be made, it's time to call your doctor.
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