• For Physicians
  • Careers
    • Maps & Directions
    • Pay My Bill
    • Contact Us


    606-789-3511
    • Home
    • For Physicians
    • Find Doctor
    • Medical Services
      • Medical Services

        • Emergency Medicine Center
        • Robotic Surgery Center
        • Wound Healing Center
        See All Services »

        Treatments & Procedures

        • Breast Imaging
        • CT Scan
        • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
        • X-rays
        • Ultrasound
    • Patients & Visitors
      • Patients

        • Find a Doctor
        • Pay My Bill
        • Pre-Pay Pricing Plan
        • Need help finding health insurance?
        • Admissions
        • Registration & Billing FAQ
        • Medical Records Request
        • Living Will
        • Pricing Transparency
        • My Health Home Patient Portal

        Visitors

        • Visitor Information
        • Local Accommodations

        Patients & Visitors

        • Maps & Directions
    • Classes & Programs
      • Popular Classes

        • Diabetes Education
        • Support Groups
    • Locations
      • Hospital

        • Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center

        Other Locations

        • Paul B. Hall Outpatient Physical Therapy
        • Paul B. Hall Sleep Lab
        • Paul B. Hall Wound Healing Center
    • About
      • Our Story

        • About Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center
        • Our Community
        • History
        • Leadership Team
        • CEO Message
        • Mission, Vision and Values
        • Joint Commission Seal of Approval

        Careers

        • Physician Opportunities
        • Hospital Opportunities

        News

        • News Releases
        • eNewsletter
    • Pricing Information
    Menu
    • For Physicians
    • Find Doctor
    • Medical Services
    • Patients & Visitors
    • Classes & Programs
    • About
    • Pricing Information
    Home > CHS 2014 > Medical Services > When Wounds Won't Heal

    Medical Services

    CHS 2014
    For Physicians
    Find Doctor
    Medical Services
    Medical Detoxification Services
    Critical Care Medicine ICU Services
    da Vinci FAQ
    Digestive Care Gastroenterology Services
    Ear Nose and Throat Otolaryngology Services
    Endocrinology
    Geriatric Medicine Services
    Heart Care Cardiology Services
    Imaging and Radiology
    Infectious Disease Services
    Infusion Services
    Kidney Disorders
    Laboratory Services
    Living Will
    Mens Health Services
    Neurologic Care Services
    Orthopedic Services
    Pediatric Services
    Podiatry Services
    Primary Care Services
    Rehabilitation Services
    Respiratory Care
    Surgical Services
    Well-being Services
    Womens Health Services
    Wound Care
    Patients & Visitors
    Classes & Programs
    About
    Pricing Information
    Home > CHS 2014 > Medical Services > When Wounds Won't Heal

    When Wounds Won't Heal

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Career at Paul B. Hall
    • Find a Medical Service
    • Sign Up for Classes & Programs

      Other Services

      Wound Care
      About the Wound Healing Center
      For Health Care Providers
      Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
      When Wounds Won't Heal
      Wound Center FAQs
      Wound Debridement for Diabetes

      Locations

      • Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center
        625 James S. Trimble Blvd.
        Paintsville,
        KY
        41240
        (606) 789-3511
        View Details »

      When Wounds Won't Heal



      As you age, your risk of developing chronic wounds—wounds that don’t heal within the expected timeframe—increases. When does a non-healing or chronic wound require a doctor’s visit?

      Non-healing wounds are often side effects of other medical conditions, such as diabetes and vascular disease. In some cases of vascular disease, for example, blood doesn’t circulate through your legs properly. As a result, the skin near the affected area can break down over time. Sometimes, people who have to stay in bed for long periods also develop wounds, known as bedsores or pressure ulcers.

      What’s Considered Chronic?

      Medline Plus defines non-healing wounds as those that have not started healing within two weeks or wounds that have not completely resolved within six weeks. If you injure yourself or if you notice a patch of red, cracked or bruised skin, keep the area clean and dry. If the wound fails to heal or if you have diabetes or another condition that makes you more susceptible to non-healing wounds, consult with your doctor.

      Back in Action

      Your physician may ask you to wear a special brace or use crutches to avoid putting pressure on the wound. Your physician may also recommend using special topical medications, antibiotics or dressings.

      If these remedies fail or if your wound is severe, your physician may refer you to a wound care center. There, providers who specialize in caring for difficult-to-treat wounds may perform more advanced treatments, such as debridement, which involves surgically removing dead skin and cleaning the wound, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). During HBOT, you’ll lie down in a chamber and breathe in air that has an air pressure two to three times higher than normal. This allows your body to take in and circulate higher amounts of oxygen, which promotes healing.

      The Diabetes Connection

      The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can harm your body’s ability to fight infections and repair injured skin and tissues, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. For this reason, people who have diabetes are more likely to develop chronic wounds.

      In adults with diabetes, non-healing wounds most often develop on the bottoms of the feet. These wounds are called diabetic foot ulcers. Working with your physician to control your blood sugar is one of the best ways to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Other ways you can lower your risk include:

      • Checking your feet daily—People with diabetes-related nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, may not always feel the pain of a foot injury. Before you climb into bed each night, get in the habit of examining the tops and bottoms of your feet, as well as the skin around your toenails and between your toes. Look for redness, cuts, scratches and blisters. Even if you don’t have neuropathy, this helps ensure you find potential problems early.
      • Visiting a podiatrist regularly—The American Diabetes Association recommends a complete foot exam every year.
      • Being kind to your feet—Wear comfortable shoes. Those that are too tight or put pressure on certain areas of your feet may contribute to ulcers. Also, use petroleum jelly or unscented lotion to keep your heels and the bottoms and tops of your feet moisturized. People with diabetes are prone to dry skin, which can crack, leading to bleeding, discomfort or infection.

      To schedule your consultation with a wound care specialist in Paintsville, call 606-788-9100.

      • Patients
        • Admissions
        • Find a Doctor
        • Living Will
        • Medical Records Request
        • My Health Home Patient Portal
        • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
        • Pay My Bill
        • Pricing Transparency
        • Registration and Billing FAQ
      • Visitors
        • Local Accommodations
        • Visitor Information
      • Physicians
        • Careers
          • Employee Password Reset Tool
          • Living Will
          • Physician Opportunities
      • Careers
        • Hospital Opportunities
      • About
        • Moving Forward. Stronger.
        • Our Story
          • About Us
          • CEO Message
          • History
          • Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
          • Leadership Team
          • Mission Values
          • Our Community
          • Press Releases
      © 2021
      625 James S. Trimble Blvd. , Paintsville KY 41240
      Notice of Privacy Practices | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
      Notice of Non-Discrimination: Español • 繁體中文 • Tiếng Việt • 한국어 • Tagalog • العربية • Diné Bizaad • Polski ...
      View Full Site for Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

      Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center is partially owned by physicians.

      Sign up for our eNewsletter
      Loading... Loading...