Skin healing is a process. When this process falters, a wound may not improve or close, leading to a “non-healing wound.” These wounds can be frustrating, painful, and may worsen or stall. Unlike injuries that resolve naturally, non-healing wounds require attention to underlying factors disrupting repair.
External Factors Hindering Healing
Issues at the wound site can impede healing. Infection is common, as pathogens can overwhelm the wound, diverting resources from repair. Signs of infection include increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or foul-smelling discharge.
Improper wound care delays healing. This includes poor hygiene, harsh chemicals damaging tissue, or failing to maintain proper moisture. Incorrect dressings also hinder healing. Repeated physical trauma or sustained pressure can disrupt new tissue formation, as seen in pressure ulcers or wounds over moving joints.
Foreign bodies like splinters, dirt, or glass within the wound can irritate and infect, preventing closure. Allergic reactions to wound care products or dressings can also cause inflammation and damage to skin. These reactions may include increased redness, swelling, blistering, or itching.
Internal Health and Systemic Issues
Underlying health conditions profoundly impact wound healing. Poor circulation, often caused by conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) or venous insufficiency, reduces oxygen, nutrient, and immune cell delivery to the wound site. This diminished blood flow can slow cell regeneration and weaken collagen production, essential for tissue repair.
Diabetes impairs healing. High blood sugar damages blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and reduced nutrient delivery. Elevated glucose also weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to wound infections. Nerve damage (neuropathy) can lead to unnoticed injuries that worsen over time.
Nutritional deficiencies can slow healing, as the body requires vitamins and minerals for tissue repair. Protein is fundamental for cell health and new cell formation. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen production, zinc aids immune function and tissue regeneration, and vitamin A helps control inflammation and promotes cell development.
A weakened immune system, due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, or chemotherapy, leaves the body less capable of fighting infections and repairing tissue. Certain medications, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, can suppress healing. Kidney or liver diseases can complicate healing by leading to toxin buildup and nutrient imbalances vital for repair.
Lifestyle Influences on Healing
Lifestyle factors influence healing. Smoking delays wound healing by constricting blood vessels, reducing oxygen and essential nutrients to the injured area. Nicotine impairs blood flow and collagen production, critical for structure. Carbon monoxide from smoke further reduces oxygen transport.
Excessive alcohol consumption can impair immune function and hinder vital nutrient absorption for tissue repair. Aging contributes to slower healing as cell regeneration becomes less efficient and immune system responsiveness declines. Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can suppress immune function and interfere with inflammatory processes necessary for healing.
Obesity can impede healing due to increased inflammation, poor circulation, and higher infection risk in skin folds. Excess weight places additional stress on the skin, making wound closure challenging.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention for wounds that do not improve within days or weeks, or if they worsen. Immediate medical consultation is warranted for signs of infection, including increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever. Deep or large wounds, or those in sensitive areas like the face, joints, or genitals, often require professional care. Individuals with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or poor circulation, should consult a healthcare provider promptly due to their increased risk. Unexplained pain or numbness around the wound warrants a medical visit.