Winter Wound Care Trends

I began my journey in wound care last Spring. Since that time, I have noticed that as the seasons change, so too do the types of wounds we see and the way and state in which these wounds present themselves. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to dive deeper into the Winter trends of wound care.

The primary component affecting wound healing in Winter is temperature. As temperatures continue to go lower, it is important to be mindful of the affects it can have on our patients and their wounds. “The Wound Care Education Institute stated that lower temperatures can be hard on skin as it caused it to dry out and sometimes crack (think about chapped lips)” (Advanced Tissue, 2018).

Along with the dry skin of Winter comes the daunting and ever imminent cold and flu season. When wound patients become infected by these pathogens their immune systems become hyper focused on eradicating them and as a result, wounds become hyper susceptible to infection.

Colder temperatures have also been shown to slow blood flow which most of us know to be a vital part of wound healing. Poor circulation inhibits the bodies ability to adequately oxygenate the wound site and provide the necessary nutrients to support tissue regeneration and healing.

Lastly, wound patients tend to become even more sedentary in Winter, as the colder temperatures discourage them from outdoor activities.

In order to protect wounds and encourage healing through the Winter months it is important to encourage patients to keep active, keep the wound covered, and avoid the flu. By keeping active in the Winter months, patients can promote better circulation and as a result better temperature, oxygen, and nutrient regulation at the wound site. Keeping the wound covered will also help with temperature regulation but in addition helps in maintaining a moist wound environment, an important facet of wound healing. Patients should also be encouraged to get a flu shot and avoid places where large numbers of people gather, thus decreasing their chances of becoming ill.

If you enjoyed this article, or have noticed other Winter trends in wound care, please share your thoughts/insights in the comments below!

References:

“Winter Is the Season for Special Wound Care.” Advanced Tissue, 2 Aug. 2018, advancedtissue.com/2018/01/winter-is-the-season-for-special-wound-care/.

“Temperature Effects on Wound Healing.” WCEI Blog, 3 May 2009, blog.wcei.net/2009/05/temperature-effects-on-wound-healing.

“Identifying, Managing, and Breaking Barriers That Affect Wound Healing.” WoundSource, 12 Nov. 2019, www.woundsource.com/blog/identifying-managing-and-breaking-barriers-affect-wound-healing.