Rules of Thumb with Doctor G

Ep. 41: "If It Dries, It Dies" — A Surgeon's Guide to Wound Care

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Original Article: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"If It Dries, It Dies" — A Surgeon's Guide to Wound Care


Summary:

In this episode of the Rules of Thumb podcast, Dr. Nick Golinvaux discusses essential wound care practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the stages of wound healing. He provides detailed guidance on caring for surgical and open wounds, the significance of moisture in healing, and the proper approach to scar care. Additionally, he highlights warning signs of infection and the importance of monitoring the healing process.


Keywords: wound care, surgical wounds, open wounds, scar care, infection signs, healing process, musculoskeletal health, first aid, skin care, medical advice


Takeaways:

  • All wounds follow the same healing progression, from open wound to closed wound to scar.
  • If it dries, it dies. Remember to keep raw open wounds moist with Vaseline or Aquaphor.
  • Once wounds are closed, less is more in terms of moisture.
  • Watch the trend of your wound's healing; sudden worsening needs medical attention.
  • Healing is a progression, and knowing care principles is crucial.
  • Surgical wounds should be kept covered for the first five days.
  • Open wounds need to stay moist to prevent tissue death.
  • Scars take around 9 to 12 months to mature and require sun protection.
  • Massage can help thick scars mature faster, but vitamin E oil may not be beneficial.
  • Redness around a wound is normal, but excessive redness may indicate infection.


    • Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Wound Care

    01:14 Understanding Surgical Wound Care

    03:35 Open Wound Management

    06:40 Scar Care and Healing Process

    08:14 Recognizing Warning Signs of Infection


    Disclaimer:

    If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to contact or obtain medical services through this site. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this site or materials linked from this site is at the user's own risk. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The content is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

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    Rules of Thumb with Doctor GBy Dr. Nick Golinvaux
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