Infected Wound Care

Proper infected wound care can make the difference between life and death in some instances – and that is no exaggeration. Left untreated, an infection can cause a wound to deteriorate to the point where a limb could be risk for amputation. Here are some tips to help you make sure you get the medical treatment you need should an infection occur.

Reasons Infected Wound Care Could Become Necessary

Infected wound care will be needed when bacteria contaminate a wound. The skin normally contains bacteria, which are usually harmless as long as the skin remains intact. When a wound occurs, however, this disrupts the skin’s protective barrier and bacteria colonize the area. This leads to further inflammation and potential tissue damage, which will often prolong the process of wound healing and could also lead to severe complications.

Potential Complications

There are many possible complications that can occur if infected wound care is not properly performed. The wound may not heal, which can lead to substantial pain. Even worse, an infection can destroy skin and muscle tissue and can even enter bone. If it spreads to the blood, it could affect other areas of the body.

Treatment

The best way to prevent problems, of course, is to practice proper wound care. But if an infection should form, get help as soon as you can. Once it is treated, follow your doctor’s directions to the letter. You will more than likely need to keep your wound dressing as moist as possible and change it daily. Make sure you take any antibiotics your doctor may prescribe, although some antibiotics come in an ointment that can be applied to the wound.

At DFW Wound Care Center, we are extremely familiar with proper infected wound care. If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the services we offer, contact us online or give us a call at 972-665-6292 (Plano), 972-318-2383 (Lewisville) or 972-607-9643 (Irving).