6 Facts About Wound Healing That You May Not Know

We often take our ability to heal for granted, but the science behind skin repair is actually quite complex. Wound healing involves the synchronization of many processes within the body. If one of those mechanisms is off, healing is impacted.

Here are six facts about wounds and healing:

1.   Uncontrolled chronic diseases can affect how well a wound heals.
2.   Leaving the wound open to air is not always the best option for treatment.
3.   Pressure relief is important.
4.   Smoking can affect healing.
5.   Adequate blood flow is important.
6.   Medihoney, a product used to remove dead tissue from a wound, is often used in wound care. Egyptians also used honey in wound management years ago.

Slow healing and persistent wounds can be painful and frustrating. If you have exhausted every home remedy, but your wound simply won’t heal, consider the support of a professional wound care clinic.

What is professional wound care?

Professional wound care includes the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any type of slow healing wound. At clinics like The Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center–Elizabeth City, we partner with referring providers to use a proven, evidence-based approach. Several methods are utilized to find a route to wellness, including diagnostic and vascular studies, chronic disease management, hyperbaric therapy, wound cleaning and dressing, and nutrition education. With the right care, most wounds can be healed in under four months

Consider asking for a referral to a wound care clinic if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• No improvement to a break or opening in the skin after two weeks.
• Redness around the wound that appears to be spreading.
• Pain, drainage, an odor or any necrotic or black areas on or around the site of the wound.
• A fever or other signs of illness.

A professional wound clinic sees cuts, lacerations and wounds of all types including: 

• Diabetic wounds
• Pressure ulcers
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Vasculitic ulcers
• A non-healing surgical wound
• A complex soft tissue wound
• An infected wound
• A wound as a result of trauma

An aggravating wound doesn’t have to be forever. Speak to your primary care provider about the options available to you.