LincolnHealth Wound Care Clinic staff members are available to visit community groups throughout the month of June as part of the second annual national Wound Care Awareness Week.

The LincolnHealth Wound Care Clinic is a partnership of LincolnHealth Hospital and Healogics featuring local providers with highly specialized training. Healogics is a worldwide leader in wound care with more than 800 wound care centers worldwide, and a leader in wound care research with the world’s largest database of wound treatments.

In celebration of Wound Care Awareness Week (June 1-7), LincolnHealth Wound Care Center Director Mike Boardman will visit local physician offices to provide education on wound care. Wound care staff members are also available to visit community groups large and small to provide education on how to prevent wounds and when to seek treatment of wounds in order to prevent a debilitating problem.

An estimated 6.7 million people in the United States are affected by chronic wounds and that number is rising as the population ages and the rate of chronic diseases such as diabetes increases.

Obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy can also increase the likelihood of chronic wounds.
About 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of chronic wounds. Foot ulcers affect an estimated 2 million diabetic patients in the United States each year.

People with diabetes can avoid foot ulcers by taking the following steps:

• Check for dry, cracked skin;
• Check for ingrown toenails and calluses;
• Wear comfortable shoes, especially if exercising;
• Never exercise with an open sore;
• Do not self-treat blisters, calluses or other wounds. Show them to a physician as soon as possible.

To promote healing, eat healthy foods rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc.

For more information on how to prevent wounds and promote healing, or if you are interested in having Wound Care Center staff make a presentation to your community group, call the LincolnHealth Wound Care Center at 207-633-1600 or visit our offices at the bottom of the Family Care Center on the St. Andrews Campus of LincolnHealth.