Dermatologic Wounds

A wound is characterized as a disruption on the epidermis continuity of either skin or mucosa as a result of physical damage or an underlying disease. Dermatologic wounds may be produced by infection, prolonged pressure, malignancy, neuropathy, ischemia, venous insufficiency, inflammatory conditions, drugs, and external causes. The most common etiologies of chronic wounds are venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial ulcers. These types of wounds are called typical wounds, whereas wounds that do not belong to this group are called atypical. We present a comprehensive review in which we describe the concept, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of dermatologic wounds. This review contains 2 figures, 2 tables and 82 references Key Words: atypical wounds, unusual wounds, chronic wounds, typical wounds, dermatological wounds, wound healing, hard-to-heal wounds, trauma, infection.