Many causes of chronic skin wounds may include:
Inability to move (pressure wounds or bedsores), continuous local pressure restricting blood flow
major trauma to the skin
Surgery incisions (cuts made during surgery) can become infected and heal slowly
deep burns
underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or certain types of vascular disease
Certain types of infections, such as Bairnsdale or Buruli ulcers (M. ulcerans)
Nutritional ulcers, a lack of sensation can lead to everyday trauma leading to ulcers - such as diabetic neuropathy and leprosy.
Healing process
The healing process of skin wounds follows a predictable pattern. If one or more stages of healing are interrupted, the wound may not heal. Normal wound healing phases include:
Inflammatory stage - The blood vessels at the site constrict (tighten) to prevent blood loss, and platelets (specialized blood clotting cells) clump together to form a clot. Once the clot is complete, the blood vessels dilate to allow maximum blood flow to the wound. This is why a healed wound feels warm at first and looks red. White blood cells flood the area to destroy microorganisms and other foreign objects. Skin cells multiply and grow on the wound.
Fibroblast stage - Collagen, a protein fiber that gives the skin its strength, begins to grow inside the wound. Collagen growth prompts the edges of the wound to contract and close together. Small blood vessels (capillaries) form at the site to supply blood to the new skin.
Mature stage - the body is constantly adding more collagen and refining the injured area. This can take months or even years. This is why scars fade over time, and why we must take care of wounds for a period of time after they heal.
Factors that may slow the wound healing process include:
Dead skin (necrosis) - Dead skin and foreign objects can interfere with the healing process.
Infection - Bacterial infections can occur in open wounds. The body fights the infection instead of healing the wound.
Bleeding - Continued bleeding can separate the edges of the wound.
Mechanical injuries - for example, people who are immobile due to constant pressure and friction are at risk for pressure ulcers.
Diet - Poor food choices can deprive the body of nutrients it needs to heal wounds, such as vitamin C, zinc, and protein.
Medical conditions - such as diabetes, anemia and some vascular diseases that restrict blood flow to the area, or anything that blocks the immune system.
Age - Wounds in older adults tend to take longer to heal.
Medications - Certain medications or treatments used to treat certain diseases may interfere with the body's healing process.
Smoking - Smoking can impair healing and increase the risk of complications.
Varicose veins - restricted blood flow and swelling can cause skin breakouts and persistent ulcers.
Dryness - Air-exposed wounds (such as leg ulcers) are less likely to heal. Various cells involved in healing, such as skin cells and immune cells, require a moist environment.
diagnosis method
The cause of chronic wounds must be determined so that underlying factors can be controlled. For example, if a leg or foot ulcer is caused by diabetes, your doctor will check your blood sugar level control and may recommend that you see a podiatrist to prevent future ulcers from recurring. In the case of ulcers caused by varicose veins, surgery on the veins may be necessary. Diagnosis of chronic wounds may include:
Physical examination including examination of wounds and assessment of local nerve and blood supply
Medical history, including information about chronic illnesses, recent surgeries, and medications you regularly take or have recently taken
blood and urine tests
wound biopsy
The wound is cultured for any (pathogenic) pathogenic microorganisms.
self-care advice
Guided by your doctor, but self-care suggestions for slow-healing wounds include:
If possible, do not take medications that interfere with the body's natural healing process. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as over-the-counter aspirin, can block the action of immune system cells. Ask your doctor for a list of medications to avoid in the short term.
Make sure to eat right. Your body needs good food to facilitate the healing process.
Include foods rich in vitamin C in your diet. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables every day also provides your body with other nutrients essential for wound healing, such as vitamin A, copper, and zinc. It may help supplement your diet with extra vitamin C.
Keep the wound bandaged. Wounds heal faster if kept warm. Change dressings as quickly as possible. Exposing a wound to air will lower its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours.
Do not use antiseptic creams, lotions or sprays on chronic wounds. These preparations are toxic to cells involved in wound repair.
Exercise regularly, as it increases blood flow, improves overall health, and speeds wound healing. Ask your doctor for advice on appropriate exercise.
Manage any chronic disease, such as diabetes.
do not smoke.
go to the doctor
Check your wound regularly. See your doctor right away if you have any symptoms, including:
bleeding
increased pain
wound pus or discharge
fever.
If you have any concerns about the wound, be sure to see your doctor.
A laceration is a wound that tears the skin and may also cause damage to the underlying tissue. Unlike abrasions, there is no skin loss. Blunt trauma is a common cause of lacerations.
Deep or long lacerations may require stitches by your doctor. If your wound continues to bleed, seek immediate medical evaluation as medical treatment is required.
Puncture Wound
A puncture is a hole in the skin, usually through all layers of the skin. It is usually caused by mishandling or stepping on sharp objects such as needles and nails. A bite by an animal may also be considered a stab wound. If you suffer a stab wound of any kind, go to an urgent care center right away.
Metal contact and animal bites pose an extremely high risk to your health. Metal tends to be dirty or rusted, and animal bites can carry bacteria or viruses from the animal's mouth directly into your body. These can quickly lead to serious infections if not handled properly by a doctor.
Burn Wound
Burns are caused by overexposure to heat, electricity, radiation, lasers, or chemical agents. You can treat minor burns at home, but non-minor burns require immediate medical attention.
Burns can be classified according to the extent of the injury:
First-degree burns affect only the epidermis and may cause redness and pain.
Second degree burns affect the epidermis and dermis and may cause blisters.
Third-degree burns extend into the fatty layer under the skin and may damage nerves.
Avulsion
Also known as a skin tear, an avulsion is a deep break in the skin that tears it away from the underlying tissue. This type of wound is usually more severe and extensive. Traffic accidents and machine injuries are common causes of skin avulsions.
When an avulsion affects a large area of skin, doctors often view skin grafting as part of the treatment and reconstruction process.
Basic wound care management is an area that requires significant resources in any medical facility. The injury for every surgery and every treatment, and any circumstances that cause injury, will depend on the ability to provide effective wound care. There are many ways to manage basic wound care and reduce follow-up for infections and long hospital stays, both of which require the resources of medical institutions. By further understanding basic wound care management, we can have a domino effect on the efficiency of other areas of any facility. Basic wound care management has several goals that are achieved through a variety of means.
If a wound does require specialized treatment based on its cause and condition, there are some basic steps that can be followed in all wound care.
1. Remove damaged tissue that can't be repaired.
2. Clean and disinfect the area.
3. Measures to prevent further damage.
4. Identify the source of the wound and determine the extent of care (acute or chronic) required.
5. Create conditions that allow healing without complications.
6. Ensure ideal healing conditions for wound dressings.
Having staff trained in the latest techniques for treating and dressing wounds can save patients time to heal and prevent slow healing wounds from having an unnecessary negative impact on patients' lives. When it comes to chronic wound care management, hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be considered if the type of wound is known to respond to it.
Overview of basic wound care management
Because basic wound care management is an important aspect of follow-up care, there is a lot of research on how to improve healing speed and prevent anything that further slows healing or causes complications. It is therefore vital that all staff concerned are kept informed of any and all new information. This is easier to do by building relationships and partnerships with institutions that specialize in wound care.
There is a degree of assumption that wound care management and risk involves extensive treatment or the use of additional methods. New information and methodologies should therefore be implemented with supervision and caution.
Assess the cause of injury and damage control
This step is critical to the long-term effects of the wound. The less attention that is given here, the more tedious or erratic the treatment becomes. Only in an emergency would you neglect the care and attention to remove the damaged tissue, and at the same time pay attention to the nerves and observe the extent of the damage. In some cases, the cause is not immediately obvious, so it takes time to establish information through diagnosis and evaluation.
Debridement
An important factor in slow wound healing is the thin film that forms on the surface of the wound, which allows microbes to grow, making any wound detrauma important. Sometimes this step is not included because the damaged tissue is not always obvious.
swelling
It is also necessary to examine the cause of swelling. Edema can be a potential problem that requires urgent attention. A normal swelling of the wound may require treatment before the wound closes and further treatment can be carried out, but the cause of the swelling should be identified.
Cleaning and disinfection
Materials used to clean the wound and bring the area around the wound into a state that can be properly treated have an impact on healing rates. Depending on the cause of the wound, the material can moderate or cause combustion. The latest information on wound care may mean that for some wounds, this step can help kick-start the healing process. One example is the topical foam treatment of certain ulcers. At the very least, knowing the cause and your patient information can prevent an unmanageable emergency.
This procedure is repeated each time a dressing change is required, which is also a way to monitor the condition of the wound. Continuing treatment with the right materials will increase healing time -- when the patient is under your care, all efforts should be made to ensure that the patient or the patient's caregivers are adequately equipped and trained to perform this step.
Trauma outpatient treatment
The area usually needs to be anaesthetized at least initially -- your doctor may prescribe pain medication or local anesthesia for this procedure. Antibiotics can also be prescribed by a doctor if there are any signs of infection, or as a preventive measure when certain conditions are effective. Oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been shown to be effective in wound healing. Increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood helps healing to occur from an internal channel, rather than just through local application.
The wound closed
There are several ways to suture the skin around a wound. Treatment will depend on the condition of the wound and sometimes on what is available. For example, adhesives can be used as a temporary method if suitable stitching materials are not available. Patients may want to know which methods heal with the least amount of scar, and new methods need to be studied. There are some exciting discoveries in this area.
Wound dressing
Wound dressings themselves are a big topic, and there are many ways to improve them. It has this effect on wound care. Almost all healing can be delayed or interrupted by improper bandaging.
Dermlin Wound Healing Dressings are a good choice.
Dress appropriately
Every little detail matters when dressing a wound, and tightening (affecting blood flow to the wound) and drying (conditions around the wound need to change at each stage of healing) are details that both patients and caregivers will benefit from. With staff on site, their first priority is to take the time to "upskill" patients and their care providers with all the right methods and information, which is the kind of care that patients will thank their healthcare providers for.
There is a method for layering wound dressings with different materials depending on the nature of the wound, how wet or dry it is kept, and how topical it is treated.
1. Usually, you need a first layer that won't stick to the wound or absorb any topical ointment.
2. Special care should be taken in bandaging wounds around joints and skin, as there is movement in these areas during the day.
3. Patients need to be informed of signs of infection, especially if a wound needs to be dressed.
Most scrapes heal well with home remedies without scarring. Minor abrasions can be uncomfortable, but usually heal within 3 to 7 days. The larger and deeper the abrasion, the longer it will take to heal. Large, deep abrasions may take 1 to 2 weeks or more to heal.
It is common for a small amount of fluid to flow or ooze when you scratch. This exudate usually disappears gradually and stops within 4 days. Drainage is not a problem as long as there are no signs of infection.
Recovery process
How an abrasion heals depends on the depth, size, and location of the abrasion. Whether the scratch heals or scabs does not affect the healing time or the amount of scarring.
When scraping removes the outer layer of skin, new skin forms at the bottom of the wound and the wound heals from the bottom up. This scratch looks pink and raw at first. As it heals, the new skin sometimes turns yellow and can be confused with pus.
When scraping removes all layers of skin, new skin forms around the edges of the wound, and the wound heals from edge to middle. This type of abrasion looks white at first, and fat cells may be seen. This type of abrasion takes longer to heal.
Scab
During the healing process, some scrapes will form a scab. A well-formed scab protects the abrasion from further damage and infection. Once a scab forms, the scratched area usually remains dry and does not ooze fluid.
A scab that forms on an active area, such as a joint, may rupture and a few drops of clear, yellowish to pink fluid may ooze from the wound. A cracked scab can be uncomfortable, and infection can develop under the scab.
The scab usually shrinks and falls off as new skin forms under the scab.
During the healing process, the scab may accidentally rub off, causing the wound to start bleeding again. Treat the wound and protect the area so the healing process can resume.
No scab
Some scrapes heal without a scab.
As it heals, the abrasion may remain moist and pink and ooze fluid or a small amount of blood. Over time, the area will turn pink and shiny as new skin forms. This usually occurs when the abrasion is covered with a bandage and washed regularly with soap and water to remove the scabbed tissue.
If the scrape is likely to be dirty or infected, or doesn't have a scab, it's best to wrap the scrape with a bandage and let it heal without a scab. This healing process requires more treatment, such as washing the scabbed tissue and dressing the abrasions regularly.
Wound care professionals often use a variety of wound treatment strategies to speed tissue recovery and optimize wound healing. A key strategy to achieve these goals is the use of wound dressings. While there are many benefits to using wound coverings during injury resolution, material selection is key to obtaining the desired clinical response.
What is a wound dressing?
Wound dressings are biological, chemical and physical materials applied to the wound site to aid in the healing process. Wound dressings can be used to limit tissue inflammation, prevent microbial overgrowth, prevent tissue infection, and control exudates at the wound site. In addition, some dressings contain materials that stimulate the reepithelialization phase of wound healing, allowing patients treated to recover more quickly.
Depending on the duration of the injury, the nature of the injury, the extent of tissue loss, and the presence of complex factors, wound care professionals will have to consider the best wound coverings for each individual case. Patients respond differently to wound dressings due to unique physiology, making it necessary for their care providers to perform wound care independently.
Wound dressing is essential for wound care
Wound dressings play a vital role in the management of wounds from acute to chronic. First, these materials act as a physical barrier between the external environment and the wound, preventing foreign body contamination or infection. In addition, some wound dressings contain antibiotics and antifungals that help prevent harmful infections at the site of injury.
In addition, wound dressings help regulate another key determinant of injury resolution: the level of wound exudate/moisture. Too little or too much exudate on the wound surface has been shown to slow wound healing while damaging the surrounding unaffected tissue (around the wound). The use of the most appropriate wound dressing can reduce the risk of moisture associated wound injury (MASD) in susceptible patients.
Type of wound dressing
Wound dressings can be classified according to their physical, chemical and biological properties. The most effective wound dressing materials are summarized below.
Gauze/cloth dressing
Transparent dressings
Collagen dressing
Foam dressings
Hydrogel dressing
Hydrocolloid dressing
Alginate dressing
Gauze/cloth dressing
This is probably the most common and readily available type of wound dressing material. This dressing material can be applied to almost any wound site to cover different tissue injuries, such as cuts, abrasions and bruises. The dressing material can also be used to apply firm pressure to the wound area and to absorb excess wound fluid.
Advantages:
cheap
Easy to use dressing
It can be used by anyone with little or no training in wound care
Disadvantages:
If not replaced regularly, it can become a source of infection
If dressings are changed too frequently, loss of granulation tissue may result
May cause periwound damage when used by inexperienced caregivers
Transparent dressings
The clear wound dressing consists of a polyurethane material that allows oxygen to flow freely around the wound site and also allows moisture/exudate from the site to evaporate. This helps maintain the right amount of moisture needed for optimal healing. Transparent wound dressings can effectively cover donor sites in tissue transplant patients as well as in patients with mild burns and early pressure ulcers.
Advantages:
Reduce friction around the wound area
It is helpful for autolysis debridement
Minimize bacterial contamination at the wound site
disadvantages
Do not apply to excessive exudate laceration wound
May adhere to the wound causing loss of healthy tissue and damage around the wound during removal
Collagen dressing
Collagen dressings are particularly beneficial for patients with chronic, slow-healing wounds because they provide an organic scaffold for wound tissue repair. Collagen dressings contain biomaterials that promote the recruitment and proliferation of new cells at the wound site.
Advantages:
Promotes rapid tissue repair by helping cell proliferation, new blood vessel growth, and removal of necrotic tissue
Disadvantages:
Expensive wound dressing options
Need expert application and follow up
Foam dressings
In patients with damaged wounds, foam dressings can eliminate cavities or pockets that may have formed as tissue destruction. They also provide non-occlusive wound care for patients with burns, chronic venous ulcers and skin grafts. Foam dressings can also be used to reduce painful wound odors and improve patients' quality of life.
Advantages:
Optimize patient comfort
Not sticky dressings
Can handle a lot of wound exudate
Disadvantages:
Additional dressings are often required to hold in place
If left too long, the wound may macerate
Does not apply to infected wounds
Hydrogel dressing
Hydrogel dressings can be used to cover painful, necrotic wounds with minimal exudation. They can also form effective wound coverings in patients with burns or infected wound sites.
Advantages:
Effectively treats soft wounds and provides soothing relief
Prevent wound site infection; Optimize wound healing
Disadvantages:
Do not apply to weeping wounds
Hydrocolloid dressing
These highly absorbable forms of wound dressings can be used to achieve exudate control and optimize wound healing in patients with necrotizing injuries and chronic ulcers. Hydrocolloidal dressings are made from organic materials (such as pectin or methylcellulose) that expand and absorb large amounts of water.
Advantages:
High absorbent dressing type
It is helpful for autolysis debridement
Minimize bacterial contamination at the wound site
Disadvantages:
Does not apply to infected wounds
May cause more severe tissue damage in areas of the body prone to more friction
Alginate dressing
Alginate represents dressings made from a particular form of brown seaweed. In the presence of wound moisture, these dressings form a hydrophilic gel that allows rapid absorption.
Advantages:
Very absorbent dressings
Autolytic wound debridement is encouraged
Don't depend on
Disadvantages:
Additional wound dressings are required to hold in place
Excessive moisture absorption may cause the wound to dry out
Protein is arguably one of the most important aspects of any diet, as it is used for nearly every function of your body. In wound healing, proteins are used to repair tissue, help transport oxygen throughout the body and help fight infection.
Therapeutic Foods Containing Protein
Many foods are good sources of protein that can aid in healing. These include:
3 ounces chicken breast = 21 grams of protein
8 ounces of yogurt = 11 grams of protein
1 cup of milk = 8 grams of protein
1 cup of dry beans = 16 grams of protein
Protein needed for wound healing
The amount of protein needed per day depends on the individual, but in general, the average inactive man needs 56 grams per day. Inactive women need to eat an average of 46 grams of protein per day. People with wounds and other medical conditions need to eat more protein each day to help wounds heal. You may consider seeing a wound care professional to help determine the optimal amount you need to heal.
Amino Acids and Wound Healing
Amino acids help build proteins and are used in every cell of our body. Many amino acids play a role in building and repairing tissue, which is important for wound healing.
Therapeutic Foods Containing Amino Acids
Arginine is an amino acid that helps increase blood flow and oxygen to wounds. This increases collagen formation and reduces inflammation. Foods high in arginine include pumpkin seeds, milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Another important amino acid in therapy is glutamine, which stimulates collagen production, regulates nitrogen metabolism, and supports the immune system. Healing foods high in glutamine include chicken, fish, cabbage, spinach, dairy, tofu, lentils, and beans.
Wound care clinics can prescribe wound care supplements that contain these amino acids to ensure you are getting enough.
Micronutrients and Wound Healing
Micronutrients required for a healthy diet include vitamins and minerals. While your body needs a variety of micronutrients, research shows that zinc and vitamins A and C are essential for wound healing. Each of these micronutrients is essential to the body's innate healing process, and when you're not getting enough, you may notice that you start to feel more tired than usual. They also aid in the body's inflammatory response and help produce collagen.
Other notable micronutrients important for wound healing include magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin E and B vitamins.
Therapeutic Foods Containing Micronutrients
While it's best to eat a variety of foods to ensure you're getting all the nutrients your wound needs to heal, some good options include:
Foods rich in minerals: oysters, spinach, nuts such as cashews, beans such as peanuts, dairy products, black and lentils, bananas, and fish.
Foods rich in vitamins: citrus fruits, bell peppers, whole grains, eggs, dark leafy greens, fish, lean meats, leafy greens, soybeans, almonds, sweet potatoes, and milk.
Carbohydrates and Wound Healing
When some people hear the word "carbs," they automatically think of how carbohydrates are broken down into sugars, such as glucose. However, this glucose comes into play when part of a healthy, balanced diet. Glucose is converted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a form of cellular energy used in the healing process.
Fat is also important for wound healing
Healthy fats such as fatty acids, lipids, phospholipids, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid play an important role in maintaining the body and promoting normal wound healing. Research shows that these healthy fats are essential for tissue regeneration and cell metabolism, and contribute to inflammation.
Healing Foods Containing Healthy Fats
Fatty foods that help wounds heal include oily fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and eggs.
What if healing foods are not enough to heal wounds?
When it comes to nutrition, it's important to understand that everything you eat affects your body and how it functions. Eating a balanced diet ensures that your body is functioning properly and is constantly creating the necessary cells to help carry oxygen throughout the body. If you need help with a balanced diet, especially with wound healing, you may want to consult a registered dietitian or dietitian.
Unfortunately, sometimes individuals must undergo severe dietary restrictions, which can significantly impact their ability to heal wounds. Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, can also affect the body's ability to heal. If this is your case, you can seek out a wound clinic to help you plan your recovery.
Hyperbaric wound care and healing foods can help heal wounds
Some people may have trouble balancing essential nutrients to help get oxygen where it's needed. Hyperbaric Wound Care Therapy delivers oxygen to the body through inhalation and absorption. This ensures your body gets the oxygen it needs to help improve your body's ability to heal wounds. When used in conjunction with a nutritional plan, they can ensure you receive optimal health benefits and help your body heal.
Mouth ulcers, also known as oral ulcers, aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, are breaks in the tissue lining of your mouth, often along the base of the gums or inside the cheeks or lips, but can form in the floor of the mouth or on the tongue. (Very rarely a mouth ulcer may be the early sign of a cancer.)
They can be painful, annoying, and sometimes embarrassing, interfering with eating, drinking, brushing, and even talking. They are also very common. The pain from a mouth ulcer is caused because the nerves just below the surface of the lining of the mouth become exposed. Luckily most mouth ulcers are easy to treat. Mouth ulcers are usually temporary, healing on their own within one to two weeks, and harmless (except for pain and inconvenience). If you get mouth ulcers that last longer than three weeks, or they recur regularly, you should seek medical attention as it may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Causes
The exact cause of oral ulcers is not known, but there are several factors that are suspected of contributing to their appearance.2
Trauma or tissue damage:Damage to the mouth lining is common. Damage from vigorous brushing, orthodontic braces, ill-fitting dentures or biting the inside of your mouth can cause a mouth ulcer to form.
Infections:Bacterial, viral or fungal infections may cause mouth ulcers.
Stress-related mouth ulcers, aphthous ulcers:Most common in teens, stress-related mouth ulcers will heal within a couple of weeks. Prevention is by resolving stress-related problems or using stress-busting relaxation strategies. Hormonal changes and allergic reactions may also cause mouth ulcers.
Foods and drinks:Mouth ulcers may be triggered by acids in certain foods, including oranges, lemons, pineapples, strawberries, tomatoes, and others.
Toothpaste or oral rinses:Pastes or rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate may contribute to the appearance of mouth ulcers.
Vitamin deficiencies:A deficiency of vitamins such as B-12, iron, folate or zinc could also be a cause of mouth ulcers.
Disease-Related Mouth Ulcers
There are some serious causes of mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers can be symptoms of herpes infection, sex-related infection, inflammatory bowel disease, leukoplakia, gingivostomatitis, oral cancer, oral thrush, celiac disease, and immune disorders.
If mouth ulcers are a symptom of a disease they are usually accompanied by other symptoms in the body, but not always.2 Most mouth ulcers last between one to two weeks. If mouth ulcers do not heal it could be a sign of disease that needs medical attention.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If mouth ulcers do not heal within two to three weeks it could be a sign of disease that you need medical attention and treatment for. If mouth ulcers recur frequently, are large in size, continue to develop or are painless, see your healthcare provider for advice and a health check-up.
Treatment
Some treatments will require the removal of the source of the mouth ulcer, such as the treatment of those caused by the disease.
For most mouth ulcers treatment is somewhat effective.1
Pain relief creams or ointments such as Orajel or Anbesol
Rinsing the mouth with salt water and baking soda
Cooling mouth rinses with cold water or applying ice to the ulcer
Cool chamomile tea—swish it in your mouth and then swallow
Tips for Prevention
To prevent getting mouth ulcers, use these tactics: