Like many other good things in life, wound-healing is a process. You probably didn’t like the events that earned you your cuts and scratches, but if you do have them, you get to see that your body perform an remarkable work. However, time does not necessarily heal all wounds. If several weeks have gone by, you may be left wondering about your open scrapes. It’s important that you figure out why your wound will not heal properly and just what you can do about it.
Reasons Why Your Wound Won’t Heal
- Infection
Your skin is the body’s first line of defense against germs. After the skin breaks, bacteria can then proceed from the outside to within the body. If the wound area becomes infected, you can observe persistent redness, swelling, pain and an off-color or foul-smelling fluid. - Nutrition
The vitamins in them help your body heal faster, particularly vitamins A and C.
You’ll also need a lot of lean protein on the way. - Diabetes
The high blood glucose can negatively impact your circulation and immune system.
It may also damage nerves that signal pain, resulting in more wounds only because the diabetics do not know when something is hurting them. If you discover slow-healing wounds frequently, they are a sign of the disease, particularly recurrent wounds on the feet and legs. - Medication
Chemotherapy and radiation medications have strong chemicals that hamper your immune system, making the recovery process harder.
Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit the inflammatory phase your body goes through in healing wounds. If you suspect that your medicine is causing the issue, discuss your concern with a physician. - Poor Circulation
When your body is healing a wound, red blood cells are those that carry new cells to the website. Subsequently, they help form the basis for new skin with hydration.
In case you have bad circulation, the blood will proceed into the wound site more slowly, delaying the recovery process. You might have poor circulation due to diabetes, obesity, blood ailments, cardiovascular build-up or any other underlying condition. - Bed Sores
As an example, a bedridden patient will have stress on specific regions of the body that press up against the mattress.
That pressure can cause varying amounts of sores, finally resulting in a gaping wound and disease if not cared for properly. Mild sores should go away quickly with routine relief and motion from these pressure points, but mild or severe sores will need medical treatment. - Drinking Alcohol
This bad habit gets worse when you consider all of the health consequences on your body, such as slow-healing wounds.
Of these infections are surgical site fixes. According to the study, excessive alcohol reduces important white blood cells in the body which fend off bacteria. - Venous Leg Ulcers
Venous leg ulcers occur when a wound in your leg is slow to heal. Oftentimes, the ulcers occur due to poor flow in the veins of their legs.
Since the legs need a good push to get blood flow back up into the heart, blood may tend to pool in the legs. Subsequently, the pressure can weaken the skin, causing difficulties with wounds and their recovery. Venous leg ulcers often occur in rectal areas such as the ankles.
How to Properly Care for a Wound
Oftentimes, you can assist the healing process of wounds that are mild with good care. These suggestions in the American Academy of Dermatology can help you stave off infection:
- Gently wash the area with mild soap and water.
- Keep the wound moist to prevent scabbing, which prolongs healing. The AAD suggests petroleum jelly.
- Keep the wound bandaged and clean every day. As long as the wound stays clean, you do not need antibacterial ointments.
- Follow any orders from your doctor, especially if you have stitches.
When to Get Assistance
In nearly all these scenarios, you’ll want to seek your physician’s advice. You ought to be aware that regular wound-healing may take up to 3 months, but you should not wait much longer than this to see your physician. If a wound hasn’t healed after a month, it is time to seek expert help.
Through the awesome process of wound-healing, your body has the capacity to shut a gentle scrape or cut by itself. But this process can be hampered for various reasons. As an example, a scabbed wound may take longer to cure. Typically, though, you’ll have to discuss your situation with your physician. Protecting your body’s defense mechanisms is the best way to prevent deeper problems before they begin.