Over the years we have cared for thousands of wounds of all different types. We wanted to take our learnings and provide you with the top reasons your wound may not be healing, and what to do about it. Wounds take about 4-8 weeks to heal, so if you notice that your wound is not healing, apply the methods below.
Infection
When a virus, bacteria or fungus comes in contact with a wound site, this can prolong the healing process.
Causes
- Poor Hygiene
- Obesity
- Compromised immune system
Solution
- Proper Wound Care
- Hydration
- Antibiotics
To read more about detection and preventing infection, click on the link for our article dedicated to infection.
Deficient Nutrient
Treating a wound on the surface is only half the battle. In order to fully treat the wound, the body needs proper nutrients to rebuild tissue.
Causes
Insufficient intake of:
- Protein
- Fluids
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Zinc
Solution
- Eat 3 times the amount of protein you normally would
- Properly Hydrate
- Increase Carbohydrate intake
- Increase Vitamin C and Vitamin A intake through supplements or natural foods
- Increase Zinc consumption
To read more about proper nutrition to aid in healing, click on the link for our article.
Poor Circulation
Proper circulation allows your blood to transport the healing cells to your wound. If this circulation is compromised, your wound won’t get the necessary nutrients to heal in time.
Causes
- Medical Conditions such as artery disease and diabetes
- Inactivity
- Obesity
- Varicose Veins
Solution
- Movement
- Heat
- Elevation
- Compression
Fluid Buildup
Fluid Buildup or Edema happens when fluid leaks from blood cells and collects in tissue.
Causes
- Inactivity
- Excessive salty foods
- Certain Medication – steroids, estrogen supplements or ant-inflammatory drugs
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Pregnancy
Solution
- Movement
- Reduction of Salt
- Reduction of medications that affect buildup
- Massage
- Elevation
- Compression
Excessive Trauma to the Wound
This may seem obvious, but constant contact with the wound will stop or slow down the healing process. The type of contact includes bumping or constantly grinding the wound.
Causes
- Excessive bumping or grinding on the wound
Solution
- Reduction of impact to the wound
- Reposition affected area for minimum contact
There are also specialized procedures that can help with the healing process in your own home. One such procedure is wound VAC. To learn more about wound VAC, refer to our article describing in the process in detail.
Be conscious of the reasons stated above and proactively avoid these causes for fast recovery. If you do happen to experience these causes, apply the solutions with diligently and you should be able to expedite the healing process. However, if you’ve tried the solutions above and your wound is still not healing after 8 weeks, consult a physician.
