When Wounds Won't Heal

As you age, your risk of developing chronic wounds—wounds that don’t heal within the expected timeframe—increases. When does a non-healing or chronic wound require a doctor’s visit?

Non-healing wounds are often side effects of other medical conditions, such as diabetes and vascular disease. In some cases of vascular disease, for example, blood doesn’t circulate through your legs properly. As a result, the skin near the affected area can break down over time. Sometimes, people who have to stay in bed for long periods also develop wounds, known as bedsores or pressure ulcers.

What’s Considered Chronic?

Medline Plus defines non-healing wounds as those that have not started healing within two weeks or wounds that have not completely resolved within six weeks. If you injure yourself or if you notice a patch of red, cracked or bruised skin, keep the area clean and dry. If the wound fails to heal or if you have diabetes or another condition that makes you more susceptible to non-healing wounds, consult with your doctor.

Back in Action

Your physician may ask you to wear a special brace or use crutches to avoid putting pressure on the wound. Your physician may also recommend using special topical medications, antibiotics or dressings.

If these remedies fail or if your wound is severe, your physician may refer you to a wound care center. There, providers who specialize in caring for difficult-to-treat wounds may perform more advanced treatments, such as debridement, which involves surgically removing dead skin and cleaning the wound, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). During HBOT, you’ll lie down in a chamber and breathe in air that has an air pressure two to three times higher than normal. This allows your body to take in and circulate higher amounts of oxygen, which promotes healing.

The Diabetes Connection

The high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can harm your body’s ability to fight infections and repair injured skin and tissues, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. For this reason, people who have diabetes are more likely to develop chronic wounds.

In adults with diabetes, non-healing wounds most often develop on the bottoms of the feet. These wounds are called diabetic foot ulcers. Working with your physician to control your blood sugar is one of the best ways to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Other ways you can lower your risk include:

• Checking your feet daily—People with diabetes-related nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, may not always feel the pain of a foot injury. Before you climb into bed each night, get in the habit of examining the tops and bottoms of your feet, as well as the skin around your toenails and between your toes. Look for redness, cuts, scratches and blisters. Even if you don’t have neuropathy, this helps ensure you find potential problems early.
• Visiting a podiatrist regularly—The American Diabetes Association recommends a complete foot exam every year.
• Being kind to your feet—Wear comfortable shoes. Those that are too tight or put pressure on certain areas of your feet may contribute to ulcers. Also, use petroleum jelly or unscented lotion to keep your heels and the bottoms and tops of your feet moisturized. People with diabetes are prone to dry skin, which can crack, leading to bleeding, discomfort or infection.

To schedule your consultation with a wound care specialist in Paintsville, call 606-788-9100.