It’s not unusual for wounds or blisters to heal on their own. With a bit of cleaning and care and attention, your body will begin to repair itself. When a wound does not heal within 4 to 6 weeks, or gets more red, swollen and leaking fluid, or exhibits a bad odor, this could indicate that there’s something more serious going on. Sometimes, a wound that starts small can become a non-healing wound on the leg or foot If left untreated, these can lead to serious complications, even the possibility of amputation in some cases.
So if you’ve waited and watching a sore which will not heal, it might be time to quit waiting and seek help.
How Wounds Cannot heal
There are several common reasons why a wound won’t heal, and understanding them can aid you (and your physician) figure out the best solution for treating it.
If you’re the first to notice that you have diabetes, you’re at high likelihood of developing leg and foot wounds that aren’t healed well. A high blood sugar level can harm nerves and create difficult to feel the pain. They can also decrease the flow of blood.
Another reason is a lack of circulation, which is often associated with venous or arterial ulcers. If your arteries and veins aren’t working then your blood supply isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients to repair your skin.
If you’re unable to move about, there is a chance that you’ll develop pressure ulcers.
Healing may be slowed due to other causes including age, certain medications, the autoimmune condition, or inadequate nutrition. It’s possible that a combination of factors can cause a wound to persist.
How long will healing typically take? What happens if it doesn’t occur?
It is possible to ask what is you should consider the “normal” healing process is. In reality, it depends on the type of injury as well as your overall health. A minor cut or blister may heal in just a couple weeks. If you have a foot ulcer that won’t heal or a leg injury that isn’t healing, it may last for 12 months.
It’s crucial to not delay if there is no improvement within 4 to 6 weeks. This is the time to seek professional wound care as the longer a wound stays open, the more risky it will become.
Find the right help for you
If your sore won’t heal, it’s not just “bad luck” or something to ignore your body is trying to tell you it needs help. The positive side? There are specialists and treatments that can really make a difference. At our clinic, we specialize in treating non-healing foot injuries and leg ulcers, as well as working with your other medical professionals to develop an individualized plan that allows your body the best opportunity to heal and prevent leg amputations.
Find solutions to advanced wound dressings, blood flow repair and even hyperbaric treatment. And we’ll work with you all the way because no one should be forced to take on wounds that don’t heal on their own.
Final Thoughts
A wound that doesn’t heal can affect you in more ways than one. It can change your life. There is hope. Don’t hesitate to seek help if an injury or a sore in your leg isn’t going away or if you’ve got an ulcer on your foot that’s not healing. You can lead the life you’ve always wanted without constant pain or worry about a stubborn wound by acting quickly.