A few research about wounds.
e medicine healthy
The skin is a large sensory organ that interacts with the environment, and
sends signals to the brain about touch, pain, vibration, and position.
There are two layers of skin that cover the body, the
epidermis and dermis.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin, the part that
can be seen, and is very active with new skin cells being formed and gradually
being shed. There are different kinds of epidermal cells:
Keratinocytes are the main skin cells that we see. New
epidermal cells begin where the epidermis and dermis meet. These cells
gradually mature and rise to the surface of the skin and are eventually shed to
be replaced by new ones. The epidermis has no blood vessels and receives
nutrition from the underlying dermis.
Melanocytes contain pigment and provide coloration to the
skin and are responsible for absorbing radiation and protecting against the
damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.
Langerhan cells are made in the bone marrow and migrate to
the surface of the skin and help fight infection.
Merkel cells are specialized skin cells that help with
sensing light touch. They are located on the tips of fingers and toes as well
as other specialized areas.
The dermis is the deeper layer of skin. It has two layers
that are responsible for supporting the epidermis:
The papillary dermis is a thin layer of tissue located just
beneath the epidermis and contains capillary blood vessels and a few elastic
and collagen fibers.
The deeper reticular dermis contains large bundles of
collagen and elastic fibers that run parallel to the skin surface. The collagen
and elastic fibers are responsible for helping the skin resist injury from
shearing or other types of trauma, and allow the skin to return to its resting
state after being stretched or compressed. This is the layer where hair
follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands are found.
Subcutaneous fat tissue underlies the layers of epidermis
and dermis and provides extra cushioning for the skin. Beneath this layer lie
muscle and bone.
Wound Causes and
Types
Wounds occur when the skin is broken or damaged because of
injury. The skin can be damaged in a variety of ways depending upon the
mechanism of injury.
Inflammation is the skin's initial response to injury.
Superficial (on the surface) wounds and abrasions leave the
deeper skin layers in tact. These types of wounds are usually caused by
friction rubbing against an abrasive surface.
Deep abrasions (cuts or lacerations) go through all the
layers of the skin and into underlying tissue like muscle or bone.
Puncture wounds are usually caused by a sharp pointed object
entering the skin. Examples of puncture wounds include a needle stick, stepping
on a nail, or a stab wound with a knife.
Human and animal bites can be classified as puncture wounds,
abrasions, or a combination of both.
Pressure sores (bed sores) can develop due to lack of blood
supply to the skin caused by chronic pressure on an area of the skin (for
example, a person who is bedridden, sits for long hours in a wheelchair, or a
cast pressing on the skin). Individuals with diabetes, poor circulation
(peripheral vascular disease), or malnutrition are at an increased risk of
pressure sores.
Proper wound care is necessary to prevent infection, assure
there are no other associated injuries, and to promote healing of the skin. An
additional goal, if possible, is to have a good cosmetic result after the wound
has completely healed.
This wound care article is designed to present information
on wounds involving mainly the skin; it is not meant to cover all wounds (for
example, gunshot, degloving wounds, tendon lacerations, and others).
Wound Self-Care at
Home
·
Most wounds may be cared for at home.
Superficial abrasions and lacerations can be cleaned, an antibacterial ointment
applied, and then covered with a band-aid or light bandage.
·
Bleeding can often be controlled with direct
pressure to the wound, and if possible, elevating the bleeding site above the
level of the heart. This allows gravity to help decrease blood flow to the
injury. Most bleeding will stop within 10 minutes, at which point, a dressing
can be placed over the wound.
·
If bleeding is not an problem, the wound can be
cleaned using tap water to wash out any debris to decrease the risk of
infection. River and lake water can contain many types of bacteria that can
cause significant infection. It is not recommended to clean wounds with
contaminated water.
·
Deeper wounds are painful and scrubbing is not
necessarily advised.
·
If a wound needs medical care, there are steps
that can be taken at home to begin treatment. Unless there is a significant
underlying injury, there is ample time to seek medical care and it is
appropriate to take a few minutes to clean and dress the wound.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Wound
Most wounds can be treated at home with
routine first aid including thorough washing and dressing to prevent infection.
Some of the following are reasons medical
care should be obtained for a wound:
·
If the wound is due to significant force or
trauma and other injures are be present.
·
If bleeding cannot be stopped even with
persistent pressure and elevation.
·
If there is concern that wound requires repair
with sutures (stitches). The size and location of the wound are important
considerations. Most facial wounds may need to be repaired for cosmetic
reasons, especially if they involve the lip or eye.
·
If the wound is caused by an animal bite. At
least 50% of dog bites, 80% of cat bites, and 100% of human bites become
infected. There is also a need to consider rabies immunizations if appropriate.
·
If the wound is very dirty and cannot be easily
cleaned.
·
If there is evidence of infection including
redness, swelling, increased pain, and pus at the wound.
·
If tetanus immunizations are not up to date,
then a booster is needed within 48 hours. If the patient has never been
immunized, the initial tetanus prevention with immunoglobulin should be given
immediately.
