Top Signs Your Wound Isn’t Healing — When to Seek Advanced Care

Maintaining your health and quality of life are important reasons for identifying wounds that don't heal, understanding why they might not be healing, and when it's time to seek help if you are experiencing wounds that won't heal.   

Warning Signs a Wound May Not Be Healing Properly

The body starts signs of healing a wound within seconds to minutes after the wound occurs, and continues the process over the next two to three weeks until the wound heals completely. However, some patients are plagued with signs of poor wound healing that could include uncontrollable bleeding, persistent displays of redness and swelling, pain and tenderness that does not improve, or the emission of abnormally colored or odorous fluid. When patients continually experience these symptoms during the time a wound exists and longer than it should, this means that the wound is not healing properly or is not healing at all.

Why Some Wounds Struggle to Heal

Cutaneous wound healing is a term that involves the entire natural healing process, stopping the bleeding through clotting, using immune cells to clean the wound, forming new tissue, and then strengthening and reorganizing the new tissue. Any part of the healing process can be impeded by underlying causes, including poor circulation, an impaired immune system, or a less robust cell regenerative or repair process.

Poor Circulation

Insufficient blood flow can prevent the oxygen, immune cells, and nutrients needed from reaching the wound. Underlying conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Peripheral Artery Disease, are examples of conditions that can cause plaque buildup, blood clots, and narrowed or inflamed blood vessels that can restrict the flow of blood to specific areas of the body.

Impaired Immune System

Poor circulation can be a factor in reducing the effectiveness of the immune system. The cleansing of the wound is dependent on white blood cells. If these cells can't reach the wound area, infections and increased tissue damage occur. Lifestyle choices can also contribute to a deficient immune system.

Repetitive Trauma

By not protecting the wound from repeated bumps, rubs, or pressures, the inflammatory cells continually flood the area, preventing the regenerative and repair processes from proceeding on the natural course of healing.

Diminished Cell Regeneration and Rebuilding Process

There are also underlying causes that can slow or impede cell growth and regeneration to repair and restore tissue. A poor diet, some medications, or aging can slow the body's regenerative abilities. 

Potential Risks of Leaving a Non-Healing Wound Untreated

We understand that when wounds don't heal properly or not at all, this has a significant impact on your overall well-being and quality of life. The constant care required of non-healing wounds to prevent the risk or spread of infection or tissue damage, the persistent pain and discomfort, or reduced mobility and function are factors that can disrupt your enjoyment of life, which makes identifying and understanding non-healing wounds that much more important. The sooner you're able to identify a non-healing wound and understand what may be causing it, the sooner you'll realize the importance of getting it evaluated by a wound care specialist to minimize the suffering.

When to Seek Advanced Wound Care Support

If redness and swelling around the wound or pain and discomfort have continued longer than two or three weeks, you'll want to seek specialized wound care. In addition to recommended adjustments to medication, diet, or lifestyle, you may need more advanced wound treatment options, such as specialized wound dressings or concentrated oxygen wound care solutions, to support the healing process.

Advanced Wound Care in Downriver

Our advanced wound care team will evaluate signs of healing, wounds that struggle to heal, and quickly pinpoint the underlying reasons for slow or non-healing wounds. Then we will recommend and execute treatment options that best suit your circumstances. Schedule your professional wound assessment today with Advanced Wound Care of Downriver.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // Tong_stocker