When to See a Specialist About Your Wound

On average, people get over 9,500 minor injuries, like open sores and wounds, in a lifetime. And 2.5% of adults in the United States develop a chronic wound that impacts their daily life.

While some wounds heal on their own or with self-care measures, others require professional treatment. But how do you know when you should seek that treatment?

At Babak Kosari, DPM, in Northridge and Santa Clarita, California, board-certified podiatrist Dr. Kosari provides expert wound care for patients of all ages. Learn more about wounds, including signs it’s time to reach out to a specialist. 

Different types of wounds

Wounds take a range of forms and vary in size and severity, but they all break your skin to some degree. Some of the most common wound types include:

• Cuts and scrapes
• Diabetic ulcers
• Blisters
• Animal bites
• Chemical wounds
• Penetrating wounds

While all of these wounds can affect your lower extremities, blisters and diabetic wounds are especially common in the feet. 

When to see a specialist about your wound

Any severe, long-lasting, or worsening wound is worthy of expert care. A wound is considered chronic if it hasn’t healed enough within four to 12 weeks. 

If you have diabetes, foot wound care is particularly important, given that issues like nerve damage (neuropathy) can make it easy to injure your foot without realizing it. When that happens, a wound can become infected, which raises your risk for amputation.

Warning signs that it’s time to see expert care for your foot wound include:

• Failure to heal
• Large size
• Ongoing bleeding or oozing
• Skin warmth and swelling 
• Severe foot pain

Seek prompt medical attention if your wound is accompanied by a fever, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms may indicate a severe infection that could lead to tissue death.

Treatment for foot wounds

Our team can recommend the best treatment for your foot wound after a comprehensive exam.  During the exam, Dr. Kosari assesses the wound’s appearance, examines the surrounding skin, and if needed, orders a diagnostic imaging test like a CT scan or X-ray.

From there, your treatment may include:

• Antiplatelet medication
• Topical ointment
• Wound drainage 
• Elevation
• Laser therapy 
• A cast or splint
• Compression garments
• Custom orthotics
• Removal of infected tissue (debridement)

These treatments aim to enhance healing and lower your risk of infection. If an infection is already present, you may benefit from an oral antibiotic as well.

To learn more about wound care or get a professional assessment, call your nearest Babak Kosari, DPM, office in Northridge or Santa Clarita, California, today. You can also use our easy online scheduler to book an appointment at your convenience.