Why Wound Care Matters for Your Health
By Anita Thurman, DNP
Taking care of wounds is an important part of staying healthy. Even small cuts, sores, or open areas on the skin can become serious if they are not cleaned, watched, and treated properly. Good wound care helps prevent infection, supports healing, and can reduce the chance of needing emergency or hospital care.
Many people do not mention wounds during regular doctor visits. Sometimes this is because they do not think the wound is serious, feel embarrassed, have other health concerns to discuss, or are unsure what symptoms to report. In some cases, a wound is not brought to a provider’s attention until the person is already very sick or needs to be hospitalized.
When skin is broken, germs can enter the body and cause an infection. An infection may start around the wound, but it can spread and become life-threatening if not treated. Cleaning the wound, using the right dressing, and checking it often are simple but important steps that help the body heal.
Poor wound care can lead to serious problems, including long-lasting wounds, damaged tissue, or severe infection. In the most serious cases, untreated wounds can lead to surgery or even amputation. Early care is one of the best ways to prevent these complications and protect a person’s health and independence.
Some people are more likely to have wound problems. This includes older adults, people with diabetes, people with poor circulation, and those who have trouble moving or spend a lot of time in bed or in a chair. For these individuals, wounds may form more easily and may take longer to heal.
Regular skin checks are especially important for people at higher risk. Family members and caregivers can help by looking for redness, swelling, drainage, odor, pain, warmth, or wounds that are not getting better. People with diabetes should also pay close attention to their feet, because numbness or tingling can make it hard to notice an injury.
Wound prevention should be part of routine health care. During office visits, care teams can help by asking about skin changes, checking feet and other high-risk areas, and encouraging patients to speak up early when they notice a problem. These small steps can make a big difference.
Patients should contact their health care provider if a wound is getting larger, becoming more painful, draining fluid, developing a bad smell, or not improving. They should also report fever, chills, redness that spreads, or new numbness, burning, or tingling in the legs or feet.
Early attention helps prevent small problems from becoming serious. It also gives patients, families, and care teams the chance to work together on the right treatment plan.
There are many resources in the community that can help with wound care. These may include primary care offices, home health services, community clinics, podiatrists, surgeons, and wound care centers. These teams can help identify the cause of a wound, provide treatment, teach patients and caregivers how to care for wounds at home, and help prevent future problems.
The most important message is simple: do not ignore a wound. If you have a sore, cut, blister, or open area that is not healing, let your health care provider know. Getting help early can prevent infection, support healing, and improve quality of life.
Wound Care Awareness Month is observed every year in June. If you have a wound that needs to be evaluated or treated, contact your primary care provider or the Southeastern Wound Healing Center, located at 103 West 27th Street, Lumberton, at (910) 738-3836. No referral is required at Southeastern Wound Healing Center.
Anita Thurman, DNP, is a wound care nurse practitioner at UNC Health Southeastern. In addition to offering services you’d expect from a community healthcare system, UNC Health Southeastern provides a number of specialized services that are unique to our system and not available anywhere else in the region. To schedule an appointment, call our referral line at 984-974-CARE.
