Wounds

Christopher Hobbs:

“Wounds, if they are not serious, are best treated with antibacterial, soothing, and wound-healing creams and salves.:

Etiologic and Other Factors Leading to Wounds:

1. Trauma: Physical injuries like cuts, abrasions, punctures, or burns caused by sharp objects, falls, or heat.
2. Pressure: Prolonged pressure on the skin, often seen in bedridden patients, leading to pressure ulcers.
3. Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can break down skin and cause wounds.
4. Underlying Medical Conditions:
   • Diabetes (can lead to non-healing wounds and ulcers)
   • Poor circulation (venous or arterial insufficiency)
   • Immune disorders
5. Surgical or Iatrogenic Causes: Surgical incisions or wounds resulting from medical procedures.
6. Chemical Exposure: Contact with irritants or corrosive substances causing chemical burns or wounds.

When to Seek Professional Help:

Look for these signs that indicate a need for medical attention:

• Excessive bleeding that does not stop within 10 minutes of applying pressure.
• Signs of infection: Redness, swelling, warmth, pus, foul odor, or red streaks spreading from the wound.
• Severe pain that does not improve or worsens over time.
• Depth or size: Wounds that are deep, large, or involve muscle, bone, or tendons.
• Foreign objects embedded in the wound.
• Burns: Deep burns, burns larger than 3 inches, or those on the face, hands, or genitals.
• Non-healing wounds: If the wound shows no signs of improvement after a week or worsens.
• Underlying conditions: If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or compromised immunity, seek help early.