Especially as we get older, the body’s natural functions become a bit less efficient. That includes the skin’s ability to heal even a small wound. That is why proper wound care can make the difference between whether a wound heals or becomes infected.
Not all wounds can be treated at home. You may be wondering how you can determine whether or not your wound warrants professional medical treatment.
Let’s talk about some tips for wound care for aging skin, and where you can go here in Rochester for outstanding medical care on any day of the year, without an appointment.
How to Assess the Wound
Most of the time, relatively superficial cuts, scrapes, and scratches can be treated at home. However, if your skin is particularly thin, if you have diabetes, or if your skin is ripped or the cut is wide and bleeding, do not attempt to treat it yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well the wound can be treated if you see a doctor soon after it occurs.
Immediate Wound Care for an Acute Wound
A skin injury that is expected to heal is considered an acute wound. Contrast this with a chronic wound, which is an acute wound that is failing to heal properly.
Basic steps for treating a superficial acute wound include the following:
- Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, gently clean the wound with mild soap. Clean the wound itself as well as the surrounding area, and dab – try not to pull on the skin.
- Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound, such as Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- Repeat these steps once or twice a day until the wound has healed.
As the wound goes through the stages of healing, you may experience itching and puckering of the skin around the wound, which is normal.
Wounds should heal within a few weeks. If the wound seems to be taking too long to heal, go to a wound clinic or an urgent care center and see a doctor. Acute wounds can develop into chronic wounds, particularly in aging skin.
Urgent Wound Care in Rochester, NY
Chronic wounds include pressure sores (bedsores) and diabetic foot ulcers. For any kind of open sore or bleeding wound, go to a healthcare center that specializes in wound care. Here at Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, our medical team will ensure that your wound receives proper and complete treatment.
Rather than going to the emergency room, our urgent care clinic offers a short waiting time (sometimes there is no wait at all) and personalized medical care. We provide on-site physicals, X-rays, EKGs, blood testing, and more.
If you have an acute or chronic wound, visit us today at our walk-in clinic on Chili Avenue in Rochester. If you have any questions or would like to let us know that you’re coming, please call (585) 207-0088. We look forward to being your go-to urgent care clinic.
