The atypical wound: red flags and diagnostics

Incorrectly determining the aetiology of the wound potentially leads to several issues. At best, the patient's recovery becomes prolonged and more costly. Your patient becomes frustrated and may lose confidence in your ability to care for them. At worst, it can kill them. Especially if you keep treating a squamous cell cancer you think is a venous leg ulcer. Identifying some reg flags in wound care and obtaining confirmatory diagnostic testing can help you sort out clinical challenges.

While not a comprehensive list, the following can be helpful as first steps to help you in determining the wound aetiology.