Sickle cell ulcers affect around 75% of all sickle cell sufferers and can prove extremely painful and debilitating for the patient. Management of sickle cell ulcers relies on the effective implementation of good wound care practices. However, even under optimal treatment conditions, sickle cell ulcers can prove extremely intractable and may persist for several months…
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare but serious ulcerating skin disease causing painful ulcers on the legs and other parts of the body. Diagnosis of the condition is difficult due to a lack of biomarkers or other distinguishing features, and treatment can also be challenging. No single specific therapy for pyoderma gangrenosum is available and few…
Wound malignancy is a growing concern, particularly as the population ages and the ‘baby boomer’ generation reaches retirement. A malignant wound can result from tumor necrosis, fungating tumor cells, an ulcerating cancerous wound, or a malignant cutaneous wound;1 and rarely achieves satisfactory closure.2–3 Malignant wounds can have both ulcerative and fungating features and are often associated…
Overview of Pyoderma Gangrenosum Pyoderma is a noninfectious, progressive necrotizing skin condition. The etiology of pyoderma is unclear. Half of patients have a systemic inflammatory condition such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable- bowel syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. About a quarter of pyoderma cases begin after some sort of trauma or surgery. But another quarter…
Calciphylaxis is a severe and complex syndrome involving vascular calcification, thrombosis, and skin necrosis. Although the condition is relatively rare, occurring almost exclusively in patients with advanced (Stage 5) chronic kidney disease (CKD), it can often be fatal. In fact, mortality rates higher than 50 percent are reported within one year of diagnosis, mostly due…
Malignant Melanoma Malignant melanoma is a rapidly progressing, metastatic form of cancer involving the melanocytes. Early recognition of the tumor is essential because the patient’s chance of survival is increased with early treatment. Malignant melanomas differ in shape and size, and they can appear anywhere on the body. They present with irregular borders, uneven surfaces, and…
Wound care is a collaborative effort between you and your patient. There are numerous wound management guidelines that favor both the clinician and the patient. Top 5 Wound Management Guidelines Wound Cleansing At one time, wounds were cleansed or irrigated with solutions that later proved to be toxic to healthy cells. Most experts now recommend…
Do you remember what you were taught about wound care in nursing school? Many of you may vaguely recall a lecture about the skin as an organ system, the layers of the skin and the function in regulating temperature and protecting us from infection. As far as wound care itself, I remember learning about clean…
Are spider bites dangerous? Many people are irrationally afraid of spiders. Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias and can have a serious effect in some people, limiting their day-to-day activities. Some evolutionary psychologists believe an instinctive fear of spiders is a residual survival technique passed down from our ancestors, while others argue that…
Most spider bites are harmless and can easily be treated at home using an over-the-counter pain remedy in conjunction with a cooling pack or wet cloth to relieve any swelling. These local reactions usually resolve without further wound treatment over a period of 7–10 days. Occasionally, an individual can develop an allergic reaction to a…
