Health

Treatment of infected wounds in Fort Worth

An infection occurring on your wound is one of the most serious complications that may permanently damage the affected part. In most cases, infections usually prevent the wound from healing, resulting in further tissue damage. It can also spread further, causing skin and bone infections. Dr. Ashley Huddleston in Fort Worth focuses on preventing infections through advanced treatment when infected wounds are involved. He also provides individualized care and treatment to prevent the formation of infected wounds.

What causes a wound infection?

Bacteria are known to be the major cause of wound infections. The bacteria that cause these infections may come from other parts of your body, skin, or the surrounding environment.

What complications can arise from infected wounds?

Despite the infections interfering with the wound healing process and turning your wound into a chronic wound infection, untreated infected wounds may result in the following:

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a condition that usually occurs when the infection on your wound spreads to the deep tissue. Thus making the inner cells swell.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis refers to a bone infection. In most cases, it usually occurs due to the spread of infections from the wound to the bone tissue. Chronic bone infection may complicate altered circulation in the bone leading to bone death and septic arthritis.

Sepsis

Sepsis refers to an infection in the bloodstream. It is a serious condition that may easily result in death.

What increases the risk of infected wounds?

Some health conditions that can increase the chances of you suffering from wound infection are malnutrition, diabetes, obesity, weakened immune system, poor circulation, and reduced movements. Additionally, your overall poor hygiene also puts one at risk of having a wound infection. Therefore you are advised to keep your wound clean and covered using an appropriate dressing to prevent the further spread of infections.

What are the symptoms of a wound infection?

Fever, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue are some of the symptoms one may begin experiencing if you have a wound infection. Pain is also a common symptom of an infected wound. However, the obvious signs of an infected wound are more likely to appear on the wound. One will note a greenish or yellow discharge or an unpleasant odor from the infected wound. On touching the wound areas, they are usually warm and inflamed, showing you that your wound is infected. If the infections start spreading to other parts of the body, you can tell by seeing red streaks around the area.

How are infected wounds treated?

The specialist in this field begins by performing a comprehensive evaluation and review of your medical history. A physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging tests are also carried out to determine the extent to which the infection spread.

Treatment of infected wounds involves combining wound cleansing, wound debridement, or oral antibiotics to alleviate pain. Appropriate dressing of the wound is also done to prevent further reinfection with some bacteria from the surrounding.

Hydration and nutrition are also important during the treatment of infected wounds. Because the wound healing process requires more dietary intake of proteins, calories, and nutrients, the specialists may also recommend you to have some dietary supplements or changes.

You do not have to wait until your wound has become infected to call or contact Wound Evaluation – Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine today to be advised on how to care for your wounds. You can also call to book an appointment if you have a wound infection to have it treated to prevent it from complicating either cellulitis or sepsis.

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