What You Need to Know About a Wound That Won’t Heal

Everyone gets injured sometimes and the resulting wounds heal in no time. But what if it’s been three months and the injury still isn’t improving? This non healing wound is also known as a chronic wound, and they aren’t just annoying, they can be a serious health concern. A wound that won’t heal can cause pain, infection, and further complications if not treated as quickly as possible. That’s why it’s important to understand why these non-healing wounds occur and what you can do to treat them. Continue reading to learn about the most common kinds of chronic wounds and the steps you need to take to heal them.

Common Reasons for a Non-Healing Wound

Slow wound healing isn’t the only sign of a chronic injury. A wound that won’t heal could also be accompanied by a foul odor, excess fluid, pain, and spreading redness and swelling. These chronic wounds affect 10.5 million Medicare beneficiaries, according to Advanced Wound Care. Anyone can develop a chronic wound, but the elderly are more susceptible to them. This is often due to poor circulation and thinning skin, but there are other specific factors that can put anyone at higher risk of these injuries.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are at higher risk of non-healing wounds for a number of reasons. First, diabetes can damage your circulatory system. This improper blood flow makes it much more difficult for wounds to heal on their own. Diabetes can also affect your nerves so you may not even be able to feel when an injury occurs. If you aren’t aware of the cut or sore, it will get worse and become a wound that won’t heal.

Vein Insufficiencies

Blood flow is a vital part of the healing process, so if your veins aren’t working properly that might explain why you have a non-healing wound. More specifically, if you have a wound that won’t heal due to vein issues, this is called a venous ulcer. This type of chronic wound typically occurs in people’s legs when their veins are damaged and are unable to send blood back to the heart. As the blood gets stuck, the legs will swell due to fluid buildup. This will make your legs feel heavy as well as painful to move.

Prolonged Pressure

Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores, happen when pressure or friction is constantly applied to an area which can damage the blood vessels keeping the tissue alive. These non-healing wounds happen most often in those who are wheelchair-bound or bedridden since the reduced mobility impairs proper blood flow. This type of wound that won’t heal most commonly appears on people’s tailbones, heels, backs, and hips.

Chronic Wound Risks

A wound that won’t heal can lead to serious complications and health risks if not addressed as quickly as possible. For example, when a wound remains open for an extended period of time, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Without proper treatment, the non-healing wound will become infected and could even lead to sepsis which is a life-threatening condition. Chronic wounds can also slowly kill the surrounding tissue in a process known as necrosis. In severe cases this can lead to gangrene, requiring surgical removal of the affected area or amputation. Slow wound healing should not be ignored since acting early is your best chance of ensuring a full recovery.

How to Treat a Wound That Won’t Heal at Home

A non-healing wound should always be brought to the attention of a wound care expert to ensure proper treatment. However, there are a few steps you can take in your care plan to heal your wound effectively. The severity of your wound will determine the type of dressing needed to adequately heal and protect it. It’s important to speak to your doctor and any caregiver involved in your recovery to determine how to best treat the wound at home. Typically, this involves at least weekly cleaning of the wound with soap and warm water, or saline in more extreme cases. Make sure to keep a close eye on how the wound is progressing when you clean it. Watch out for any reddening, swelling, or new pain as these could indicate an infection which needs to be addressed by medical professionals right away.

Advanced Treatments for Non-Healing Wounds

There is only so much you can do alone to treat a wound that won’t heal. Working with a wound care expert who will evaluate your injury, create a professional care plan, and perform advanced therapies is vital to your recovery. For example, if dead tissue is starting to surround your non-healing wound, a specialist can expertly remove it in a process called debridement. When faced with very slow wound healing, a specialist may also perform Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy which uses 100% oxygen to speed up the process. If poor circulation is the root cause of a non-healing wound, you may receive compression therapy. Lastly, if the chronic wound has gotten too large, a skin graft may be applied to close the hole.

Ready to Treat a Wound That Won’t Heal?

Chronic wounds can be incredibly painful and even disrupt people’s ability to perform everyday tasks. No one should have to live with a wound that won’t heal. That’s why we work with long-term care facilities, home health agencies, caregivers, and patients to ensure no matter where you are your wound is getting the best care possible. Refer a patient or enroll yourself today to start getting reliable and professional treatment for your chronic wound.