Rather surprisingly, wound care specialists do not have a special name, but are referred to simply as wound care specialists. They are health care professionals who have been trained in the diagnosis, treatment and care of all types of wounds, both acute and chronic. Wounds sustained from an acute injury, surgical wounds, diabetic wounds and pressure sores are among the most commonly treated. In addition, these health care professionals are needed to help an estimated five million Americans who suffer from wounds that will not heal. Wound specialists can have a significant impact on their quality of life, as those suffering from wounds that will not heal experience a disruption to their everyday lives.

Not every wound needs specialist treatment. In most cases, a simple wound that results from an injury can be treated by a primary healthcare provider. More serious wounds may require treatment in the hospital, followed by recovery at home. And, of course, if you see any signs that the wound is infected, such as redness, increased pain, a bad smell, fever, or swelling, you should call your doctor immediately.

However, certain kinds of wounds are more likely to need specialist treatment. For instance, complex wounds such as vascular ulcers, diabetic ulcers, radiation wounds, various types of traumatic injury, and some post-operative wounds may benefit from treatment in a wound care center.

There are also health conditions that may make it harder for your wound to heal. These include:

• Diabetes
• Congestive heart failure
• Vascular disease
• Incontinence
• Severe obesity
• Renal failure
• Nerve damage

Certain lifestyle issues may also prevent wounds from healing. For instance, a poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and being inactive may also impede your recovery from a wound.

In general, if your wound has not started to heal after 2 weeks, or has not healed completely within 6 weeks, then you should consider visiting a wound care specialist.

While most scrapes and minor cuts can be cleaned, bandaged and taken care of at home, a deep gash or wound might require professional medical attention to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of infection. However, it’s not always obvious when a cut or wound needs stitches. Here are a few factors that may help you determine the severity:

1. Size — If the cut or wound is deeper or longer than half an inch, you’ll likely need stitches.

2. Appearance — If the injury is wide or gaping, or you see muscle, bone or fatty tissue, you’ll need immediate medical care and stitches.

3. Location — Where the wound is located is key to whether or not you need stitches. A wound across a joint, on the face, on or near the eye, or on the genitals requires immediate medical attention.

4. Cause — Some cuts and wounds pose a greater risk for infection or other diseases, so you’ll want to get them checked out and closed up quickly. If your injury is from a bite or scratch, you may also need a tetanus booster or antibiotics. Puncture wounds and cuts from a rusty or contaminated object, or any wound that contains debris, such as gravel or broken glass, should be evaluated by a medical provider.

5. Bleeding — Regardless of how an injury looks or how it happened, profuse and prolonged bleeding probably means you need stitches.

If you or someone you know has recently sustained a wound, come to Franklin Primary Care today! We have a team of professional and caring staff who are ready to help you with all of your wound care needs! Contact our office today to get in touch with a specialist. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 225 Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead, New York 11552. We serve patients from West Hempstead NY, Franklin Square NY, Garden City NY, New Hyde Park NY, Uniondale NY, Mineola NY, and North Valley Stream NY.