As we age, cuts and scrapes can take longer to heal as a result of chronic conditions such as diabetes, peripheral artery disease or other vascular problems.

A wound that hasn't healed in a week or more may be a sign that professional help is needed, says Olivia Galvan, MD, Wound Care Specialist on the medical staff at the Wound Care Center at Corona Regional Medical Center (CRMC).

"Slow-healing wounds can quickly turn into limb-threatening infections and other serious complications -- which, at times, can lead to amputation," Dr. Galvan says. "It's very important to seek help if your wound has not begun healing within 24 hours."

Skin Treatment
At the Wound Care Center, healing treatments stimulate the body's restorative properties. Therapy begins with debridement, which is removing dead tissue with either surgical or nonsurgical methods. Depending on the presence or severity of infection, topical or intravenous antibiotics may be delivered to the wound site.

If there is not enough skin to seal the wound, a surgical skin graft may be used to help promote healing.

Olivia Galvan, MD

Oxygen Therapy
A patient with more severe wounds that fail to heal due to ischemia (a lack of oxygen or blood flow to a limb) may be a candidate for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This treatment delivers pressurized oxygen to the wound site to help speed the healing process.

"Oxygen is delivered at 2.5 to 3 times atmospheric pressure, which stimulates new blood vessel and cell growth to help wounds heal quicker than they would with conventional treatments," Dr. Galvan explains.

For these treatments, a patient sits inside an oxygen chamber, where they may read, relax or watch television. A typical course of HBOT lasts up to six weeks, with 20 to 30 daily "doses" of treatment.

To learn more about wound care services at CRMC, please call 1-866-973-HEAL (4325).

800 South Main St., Corona, CA 92882