“Any break of the skin really is an emergency,” said Dr. Arthurs, who is credentialed in wound care. “The best thing is to get an immediate evaluation.” During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with wounds waited to seek treatment from a medical professional, often with a skin break much larger than it was at its conception and at greater risk for a more severe outcome. “It’s just such a better experience for the patient and for us to get that skin closed when it’s a smaller volume wound,” said Dr. Arthurs. Particularly for patients with peripheral artery disease, who do not have a healthy arterial and immune system to heal wounds, swift action is imperative – wounds can grow and infections can develop rapidly, even if problems aren’t obvious. The risk of losing a limb for a person with PAD is 1% to 3%, but, once there is a skin break, the risk grows to 30% to 40%. If infection sets in and gangrene develops, the amputation risk climbs to 80% to 90%. The subtle signs of a body with PAD that struggles to recruit blood supply for wounds are thickened nail beds and dry scaly skin – indicative that not enough blood is reaching the extremities and stimulating oil creation to keep skin healthy and hydrated. Men 843.577.4551 | coastalvvc.com On a mission to preserve patients’ lives and limbs, Zachary M. Arthurs, M.D., of Coastal Vascular & Vein Center, urges patients, especially those with diabetes and peripheral artery disease, to seek wound care early. “ “ When people with PAD or diabetes notice a wound, they should go immediately to a wound care center or vascular specialist. By Molly Sherman
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