Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Wounds

There are numerous types of wounds, when people think of wounds they generally think of open wounds, that you can see. However, there are more types of closed wounds than open ones. Because of the sheer amount of closed wounds, we could not possibly even begin to cover all the different types nonsurgical treatment options, therefore, we will be looking at open wounds.

An open wound is a wound that you can see, it also allows blood to escape from the area. Most doctors agree that there are five types of open wounds while some doctors claim a seventh type of open would, that of a gunshot wound. Not all gunshot wounds are through and through, often times the bullet becomes lodged in the body and surgery is necessary, so we are going to leave that type of wound out.

Five Types of Open Wounds

Laceration

Ripping or unequal break in the skin, causes profuse bleeding, road rash is a good example of this type of open wound.

Abrasion

Scrapes in the skin, bleeding is minimal if at all, falling off a bike can cause this type of open wound.

Puncture

Small hole that can be caused by a nail or a larger object such as a pitch fork. Medical treatment is advised.

Ulcers

Have several causes for example bed sores, complications of diabetes, kidney disease, lack of movement, and numerous other reasons can cause skin ulcers.

Avulsion

A partial or a complete tearing away of the skin from the body part(s), sometimes tissue is also torn away. Something like an explosion or a violent car accident can cause this type of open wound. This is the most severe type of open wound out of the five.

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

There are several types of creams that can be applied to the wounds, bandages, open air therapy, nutrition, vitamins and minerals, antibiotics to cure the infection that may have caused the ulcer, and provide a wound bed that helps speed the healing process. One or more perhaps all of these treatments are used to complement one another and heal the open wound. If they do not work there is another promising treatment.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric means therapeutic use of oxygen under pressure, this treatment has been used for about 40 years and heals open wounds very well. The problem is not every hospital has a medical grade chamber, in fact very few hospitals have a chamber. At DFW Wound Care Center we employ Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to heal difficult to heal open wounds.

Open wound healing has always been a challenge for doctors and nurses. Any doctor will tell you prevention is key.

If you would like to learn more about nonsurgical treatment options for open wounds please call DFW Wound Care Center in Plano at 972-665-6292, in Lewisville at 972-318-2383, or in Irving at 972-607-9643.