Q: I fell several days ago. The cut on my leg doesn’t seem to be getting better. Do I need to see a doctor?
A: Minor cuts and scrapes usually heal after you wash them with water, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover them with a sterile bandage. You should seek medical care for cuts and scrapes that don’t heal after one to two weeks. It’s also important to see a physician if:
* The wound is deep or large or if there is significant loss of skin.
* There are signs of infection, including swelling, warmth, redness, throbbing pain or pus.
* You have diabetes – even if the injury seems small.
There are a number of factors, such as age, obesity, diabetes and vascular disease, that can interfere with the body’s ability to heal. If your wound doesn’t heal as quickly as your physician thinks it should, he or she may refer you to a specialized wound care center.
– Dr. John Gwin, Medical Director, CHI Memorial Wound Healing Center; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
Submit your health-related questions for a medical doctor to lwilson@timesfreepress.com.