Wound Care

Consider wound care if you have diabetic ulcers or other open wounds that don’t improve with at-home treatment. At Durango Urgent Care in Durango, Colorado, board-certified emergency medicine specialist Kimberlee Yeargin, MD, provides comprehensive wound care, including debridement, infection treatment, and wound dressings. Make your appointment with the online booking tool, walk in during normal business hours, or call the office today.

What is wound care?

Wound care is an urgent care subspecialty that provides same-day treatment for diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and other slow-healing wounds. 

Most minor wounds, like cuts and blisters, improve with at-home treatments like topical ointments and bandages. But if you have a red and painful wound, it may indicate an infection.

A wound care visit at Durango Urgent Care can identify any potential complications and encourage your body’s natural healing process.

When should I consider wound care?

Make a wound care appointment at Durango Urgent Care, if you have a sore that occurs alongside other symptoms like:

• Redness
• Irritation
• Itching
• Dry, cracked, or scaly skin

That’s especially true if your wound oozes blood or pus or feels warm to the touch.

What happens during a wound care visit?

At Durango Urgent Care, a wound care visit begins with a review of your medical records and a discussion of your symptoms, including when you noticed the wound and if it’s painful. 

Next, your provider examines the wound, assessing its size, color, location, and borders. They also check the appearance of your surrounding skin and collect a sample of tissue to check for infection. Your provider might also order X-rays or an MRI to see if the wound extends beneath your skin.

What wound care services does Durango Urgent Care provide?

At Durango Urgent Care, the providers offer various wound care services. If possible, they recommend conservative and minimally invasive treatments. Depending on your age and medical history, they might recommend:

• Debridement (removing diseased or dead tissue)
• Topical wound care (using ointments or lotions to prevent infection and promote healing)
• Prescription antibiotics
• Anti-clotting or antiplatelet medications
• Custom orthotics
• Diabetic shoes or another type of prescription footwear
• Bandages and wound dressings

If you have a wound that doesn’t improve with conservative treatments, surgical intervention might be necessary. If that’s the case, your Durango Urgent Care provider can refer you to a nearby surgical facility.

How can I reduce the risk of slow-healing wounds?

You can reduce the risk of slow-healing wounds by living a healthy lifestyle. The providers at Durango Urgent Care recommend maintaining your ideal weight, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking. If you have diabetes, it’s also crucial to check your blood sugar several times daily.

To learn more about the various types of wound care, request a consultation at Durango Urgent Care by calling the office, walking in during normal business hours, or booking online today.