CLASSIFICATION OF Wounds
A wound is a cut or rupture of the skin, subcutaneous tissues and other organs of the body.
There are many ways to classify wounds, which can be classified according to the condition of the skin, by the degree of infection or by time.
1. According to the intact condition of the skin
– Open wounds: are wounds that lose the integrity of the skin such as incisions, incisions, tears caused by sharp objects, burns from various causes, …
– Closed wounds: are wounds that do not lose the integrity of the skin such as hemorrhagic nodules, bruises, etc. Usually, these wounds can heal on their own without any treatment.
2. According to the degree of wound infection
Clean wounds: are wounds that do not have the presence of bacteria or are present but in a small amount that is not enough to cause symptoms of infection.
– Infectious wounds: are wounds with the penetration of bacteria in a certain amount enough to cause symptoms of infection such as swelling, heat, redness, pain, inflammatory exudate, pus or necrotic tissue.
3. Over time
– Acute wounds: are wounds that are likely to heal in 4-14 days with good care. Traumatic and surgical wounds are acute injuries.
– Chronic wounds: are long-lasting wounds such as diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers,… the healing time can range from one, several months to years. The causes of slow wound healing are diabetes, poor circulation, poor nutrition, and reduced resistance. Besides, chronic wounds are often accompanied by symptoms of infection, so the treatment and care are complicated and meticulous.