WHAT IS AN INFECTION?

An infection develops when pathogens enter a person’s body through the skin, bodily fluids, or the air. Infectious organisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses can reproduce and spread quickly throughout the human body. Common mild infections often heal without ever being noticed, but serious infections have the potential to become life-threatening. 

NECROTIZING INFECTION

A necrotizing infection, also known as necrotizing fasciitis, is a rare and serious bacterial infection that causes affected tissues to die. It begins when bacteria enter the body through a minor break in the skin. As the bacteria multiply, they produce toxins that kill tissue and degrade blood flow to the area. 

The first signs of a necrotizing fasciitis diagnosis include oozing, bumps, and lesions around the area of infection. If bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, necrotizing fasciitis can become life-threatening with symptoms like vomiting, fever, and weakness. 

Patients with the highest risk of a necrotizing infection have weak immune systems, chronic heart or lung disease, skin lesions, or diabetes. 

OSTEOMYELITIS

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Most cases of this infection are caused by the very common staphylococcus bacteria. When bacteria enter the bone through the bloodstream, infected injuries, or surgery, they weaken circulation and degrade healthy bone tissue. 

Early symptoms of osteomyelitis include swelling, pain, and a warm feeling around the infection site. Risk factors such as diabetes, recent orthopedic surgery, and a compromised immune system may increase the likelihood of osteomyelitis.

STAPH INFECTION

Staph infections occur when staphylococcus bacteria enter the bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs, or heart. There’s no single cause of staph infections, especially since staph bacteria are resilient enough to survive extreme temperatures, drying, and stomach acid in order to spread from person to person. 

Staph infection symptoms take many forms, from boils and impetigo on the skin to blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. It’s important to see the doctor as soon as red, painful skin appears. 

WHAT TYPES OF SKIN INFECTIONS DOES R3 TREAT?

The team at R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics treats all types of skin infections, including necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, and staph infections. No skin infection is too simple or too complex for our experienced R3 team. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INFECTIONS

R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics offer a wide range of self-referral skin infection treatment options to help patients recover as quickly as possible. 

1. Active debridement: Debridement is the removal of dead tissue from an infected wound. Once the dead tissue is removed, healthy tissue has the opportunity to regrow and reduce symptoms of infection. 
2. Skin grafts: A skin graft is a piece of skin removed from one area of the body and transplanted to another. This treatment helps to remove infection and replace it with healthier skin.
3. Bioengineered skin:  Bioengineered tissue is used as an alternative to skin grafting in highly infected wounds. It’s made in a lab by growing cells on a supportive matrix. Bioengineered skin reduces the risk of infection and closes wounds by promoting new skin growth.
4. Incision and drainage: Incision and drainage helps treat infections with an abscess. The abscess material must be drained to prevent the spread of infection into healthy tissue. 
5. Transcutaneous Oximetry (TCOM): This technique measures how much oxygen is reaching the skin through blood circulation. It helps your R3 wound care specialist assess poor blood flow in the underlying tissues and plan an effective infection treatment.
6. Unna Boots: Unna Boots are compression bandages designed to provide a semi-solid mold around the foot and lower leg. The boots apply gentle pressure but still allow movement. Medicated paste is placed inside of the boots to keep treated infections moist and promote healing.
7. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): This safe therapy uses the power of pressurized oxygen to stimulate your body’s innate healing process. 

WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for skin infections offers a safe, natural, and efficient medical therapy for many types of infections.

Oxygen has a profound influence over wound healing, so any oxygen deficiency stunts the body’s ability to heal infections. Inhaling the concentrated flow of oxygen provided through regular HBOT treatments makes it possible to overcome oxygen deficiencies and stimulate a more effective healing process. 

HBOT is performed in a large, clear hyperbaric chamber to deliver concentrated oxygen throughout the body. This process stimulates and supports the body’s healing processes. When white blood cells receive enough oxygen, they can effectively kill bacteria, reduce swelling, and allow the rapid reproduction of new blood vessels.

Since HBOT addresses wound healing at a deep cellular level, it can be used to address infected skin wounds not healing properly. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING HBOT FOR SKIN INFECTIONS?

Infection healing with HBOT is painless, relaxing, and simple. When you arrive at an R3 facility, you’ll receive HBOT in a private setting with the latest hyperbaric technology. Your treatment will take place in a clear acrylic chamber where you can comfortably recline and view your surroundings at all times. You’ll be able to hear and speak to your treatment team as they monitor you throughout the procedure.

Once you’re in the chamber, the atmospheric pressure and oxygen level will gradually increase to stimulate your body’s healing mechanisms. This process is painless, although you may experience a sensation of pressure in your ears as if you’re on a descending airplane. During your 1.5-2 hour treatment, you can sleep, watch TV, listen to music or just relax.

QUALITY INFECTION CARE IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics offer superior quality surgical wound care in a state-of-the-art facility. 

If you’ve experienced a wound or infection that can’t heal sufficiently on its own, our wound care treatment options can safely accelerate and enhance your healing process.

Visit one of our state-of-the-art Texas locations and experience skilled personnel and warm, welcoming treatment centers. The R3 team is here to address your unique medical needs and help you enjoy your life without the hindrance of surgical wounds and infections. 

Find an R3 Wound Care & Hyperbarics location near you or contact us to schedule an appointment.

We have locations in the Arlington, Flower Mound, Keller, Castle Hills, Stone Oak, Kingwood, Frisco, Pearland area Texas. Contact one of our offices to make an appointment to begin healing today.