When To See A Doctor For Wound Care

Each year, approximately 6 million people will suffer from problem wounds caused by diabetes, circulatory problems, as well as other conditions.

The Wound Care Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is a dedicated state-of-the-art, out -patient, clinical wound care service specializing in advancing wound care.

By using a variety of clinically coordinated treatments such as, debridement, medicines, dressings and support services to treat problem wounds, patients are experiencing high rates of wound healing.  Studies have shown that wound care treatment reduces the rate of amputations and lengths of stays in hospitals

Timely treatment is extremely important when seeking wound care as a possible remedy.  Any patient with a wound that has not started to heal in two weeks, or is not completely healed in six weeks may be a candidate for the Wound Care Center.

Wounds that may indicate a need for wound therapy are:

  • Pressure ulcers
  • Diabetic ulcers
  • Neuropathic ulcers
  • Ischemic ulcers
  • Venous insufficiency
  • Traumatic wounds
  • Surgical wounds
  • Vasculitis
  • Burns
  • Peristomal skin irritations

The Wound Care team at Flushing Hospital is a group of physicians, nurses, managers, educators and staff that are specialty-trained in wound management.  If you have a wound that is taking a long time to heal and would like to make an appointment, please call 718-670-4542.

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The Importance of Wound Care as a Diabetic

Cuts and scrapes may not seem like a big deal for most people but for diabetics, healing can often become complicated due to their immune systems becoming compromised. For diabetics, careful monitoring of healing wounds is important to prevent bigger health issues down the line.

If you’re a diabetic, try these helpful tips to prevent a small problem from becoming more complicated:

  • Should you get aThinkstockPhotos-486206293 (1) cut, treat it immediately. Cleanse the affected area with soap and water daily. Dry the area well after washing, and apply an antibiotic ointment to keep the site germ-free. Skin injuries generally heal within two weeks, but cuts may take up to three weeks to heal in people with diabetes. Anything beyond that is excessive, and you should have your physician look at it again.
  • Keep pressure off the wound.  Pressure can increase the time it takes to heal.
  • Be aware of the signs of an infection. Symptoms can include pain, redness, or warmth at the site of the infection. Drainage is another sign of an infection. Don’t ignore any of these signs. Get treatment promptly.

Remember that even a small scrape can become serious if you don’t take proper care of it. Left untreated, wounds can lead to an amputation in the most serious of cases. Taking good care of yourself is an important step toward preventing wounds.

If you have a wound that isn’t healing properly, please contact the Wound Care Center at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for an appointment at 718-670- 4542.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.