Wound Care

What is wound care?

Wound care is a family medicine subspecialty that diagnoses and treats diabetic ulcers and other slow-healing wounds.

Most minor wounds, like cuts and scrapes, respond to at-home care, like antibiotic ointment, gauze, and bandages. But some wounds require professional intervention. After a review of your health records, a physical exam, and a discussion of your symptoms, the team can make treatment recommendations.

When should I see a wound care specialist?

Make a wound care appointment with the team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center if you have an open wound and it doesn’t start healing within two weeks of beginning at-home treatment. That’s especially true if you notice signs of infection, like skin discoloration or oozing pus.

What happens during a wound care visit?

A wound care visit at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center begins with a review of your medical records and a discussion of your symptoms, including when you first noticed the wound, if you’ve tried any at-home treatments, and if it’s painful.

Next, your provider performs a physical exam. During the exam, they assess your wound, order blood tests to see if there’s an infection, and take a wound culture to determine if it’s viral or bacterial. They also order X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to see how far the wound extends beneath your skin.

After gathering the necessary information, the team makes treatment recommendations.

What services does wound care provide?

At Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center, the team offers various wound care services, including:

• Sutures or stitches
• Skin glue
• Debridement: removing dead tissue to promote healing
• Compression garments: to encourage circulation
• Alginate dressings

If you have an infection, the team might also prescribe antibiotics.

How can I reduce the risk of a wound infection?

There are various things you can do to reduce the risk of wound infection, including:

• Regularly washing your hands
• Checking your blood sugar (if you have diabetes)
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Exercising regularly
• Drinking plenty of water
• Regularly cleaning the wound 

If you have an underlying health problem that increases your risk of a slow-healing wound, like peripheral artery disease (PAD) or heart disease, your provider might also recommend routine visits to monitor your general health.

To explore the benefits of wound care, make an appointment at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center by calling the nearest office or booking online today.