HELP CENTER

FAQ: FAQ

MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Any wound which has not started to heal in two weeks or completely healed in about six weeks may benefit from a specialized wound care. We have been improving lives for 35 years through achieving healing in refractory wounds.

Here are some more important facts and answers to frequently asked questions that you should know about your wound.

Should I let my wound just be open to air?

No. Wound healing best occurs when the wound bed is kept moist and the healing cells can travel across the wound to close it. The purpose of dressings prescribed for you is to maintain just the right amount of moisture, not too much and not too little. It will also protect the wound from contamination from the environment. Wounds also prefer to be kept warm. Macrophages are specialized white blood cells which are the conductors of healing. They are easily destroyed by dehydration and cold.

Can I get my wound wet in the shower?
Sometimes this is beneficial and recommended, it is advisable to ask your therapist before you shower or bath. If your dressing becomes wet, it will become a breeding ground for germs and may cause tissue damage. It should be removed and replaced ASAP.

What if I forget to change my dressing?
As soon as you remember, change your dressing. Be careful while removing it, just in case it is stuck to the wound. Use enough water to soak it off if it is stuck, so that it comes off without causing you any pain. Then redress your wound as directed.

How do I cleanse my wound?
Our first choice is hypochlorous acid (electrically active saline), you can however also cleanse your wound using normal saline (salt water) 1L lukewarm boiled water and one teaspoon of salt.

Can I use a whirlpool or ozone to clean my wound?
No. Water under pressure may drive bacteria (germs) into the wound tissue. In addition, we no loner immerse wounds in water, it causes maceration and makes “Bacterial soup” which is detrimental to healing. Ozone had detrimental effects on healing.

If I get dry skin, can I use lotion?
Yes, skin that is kept moist is less likely to break down. But do not put skin lotion in the wound. If you have skin that is broken open, please ask us for recommendations.

What kind of skin lotion do we suggest?
Any kind of lotion that is an emollient, which puts moisture back into the skin instead of covering the skin as another layer. Do not use petroleum jelly, because it forms a separate layer. Examples of emollients that may be used are: Nivea, Neutrogena, Eucerin Moisturizing and Lubriderm, glycerine, aquaeous ointment, coconut oil.

Will the sun's rays or a sun lamp help my skin?
It should be remembered that infra-red lamps can cause burns very easily, if they are used, it should be only under the direction of your wound specialist.

What does it mean if an area of my skin changes colour?
Some skin changes are not harmful, but others, like redness, can be a sign of problems. Inspect the skin around the wound daily for any changes. Show any changes, especially redness, promptly to your wound specialist.

Can I use betadine or hydrogen peroxide on my wound?
These are no longer used by specialists as they have been shown to do significant harm to the wound.

If I am a diabetic, is it important to keep my blood sugar in control?
Yes, it is especially important. High blood sugar can slow down or prevent wound healing. Discuss with your wound care sister how to manage your blood sugar. We coach and follow dieticians’ recommendations for our patients where needed. Wound infections are accompanied by higher blood sugar levels which return to normal after the infection is cleared.

What other things should I be reporting to my wound care specialist?

Change in Pain from your wound
Change in drainage from your wound
Change in odour in the wound, especially ammonia scent
Changes in blood sugar if you are diabetic
Redness in the skin around your wound
Bleeding from your wound
Changes in your body temperature, blood pressure or mental orientation
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Need for dressing supplies
Any new wounds you find on your body
Any changes in your medications
Difficulty in completing the prescribed dressing changes
Any questions or concerns you have about your wound care!

How long will my wound take to heal?

7 Factors That Affect Wound Healing

Wound healing is not a straight line from A to Z - wounds can progress both forwards and backwards on the road back to health, and how they do so will depend on several factors:

Aging affects everything in the body and (as anyone who has ever read a beauty magazine already knows) that includes the structure and function of the skin. Everything slows down during the aging process, including the phases of wound healing. Skin gets thinner and the body shows a decreased inflammatory response meaning that, as you get older, your skin is predisposed to injury and will heal slower when injury occurs.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is vital to optimal healing. A wound is unable to heal properly if you lack the necessary nutrients for cell repair and growth.

Obesity

Anyone surpassing their ideal body weight by 20% or more has a greater risk of infection when healing a wound.

Repeated Trauma

If you have multiple wounds or have undergone a severe trauma (e.g. surgery) your body’s defense mechanisms will be limited and slow wound repair.

Skin Moisture

Skin needs an adequate amount of fluid and moisture to be viable. If you’re prone to dry skin (especially common in the elderly) you may be at risk for skin lesions, infection, and thickening, which will all impair wound healing. On the flip side, if the skin is too wet, you’re at risk for developing maceration and/or infections, so maintaining an optimal level of skin moisture is imperative for healing wounds.

Chronic Conditions

Chronic diseases have a direct impact on the body’s natural ability to heal. Cardiovascular conditions are among the most detrimental, but diabetes and immunodeficiency conditions can also slow wound repair.

Medication

Prescription medications can have a negative effect on healing. For instance, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often prescribed for arthritis and found over the counter as aspirin and ibuprofen, can interfere with the inflammation stage of the healing process. Anticoagulants have the capacity to disrupt blood clotting, while immunosuppressants may weaken the immune system and enhance the risk of infection.