Everyone gets a bump and a scratch at some point in their lives. However, in some circumstances, those wounds won’t heal, and you’ll have to see a professional. In this article, we will explore why wounds may not heal and discuss ways to support their healing.
At Transmountain Primary Care, we offer wound care in El Paso as a part of our many services. If you have a wound that won’t heal or seems to be getting worse, we can help. To schedule an appointment, call us at (915) 248-2345.
What to Do With Pesky Wounds
It should take a wound roughly 4-8 weeks to heal, depending on its severity. It should gradually look better as the weeks go on, but if you’re on week number eight and it’s still painful, there might be another issue. If a wound has turned chronic, the symptoms consist of:
- Numbness around the wound
- An odor
- Swelling
- Lack of scabs or new tissue
- Discoloration
- Wound discharge
There are reasons why your wound may display these symptoms. However, regardless of the cause, proper wound care will help it heal. Read below for some reasons why your wound isn’t healing.
Poor Blood Circulation
Blood flow is crucial for proper wound healing. When the red blood cells are cut off or restricted, it’ll slow down the healing process. Exercise and elevation can restore circulation and allow the cells to create new tissue.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation, nerve damage, and compromise your immune system, all of which are needed to heal wounds. Routine doctor visits will help you monitor wounds and ensure they’re healing properly.
Infection
Your skin protects your body from infection, and when that barrier is broken by a wound, it’s at risk. If an infection enters your wound, your body will need to fight off the infection, which takes away from healing the wound. Antibiotics are the best way to fight it off.
Unhealthy Diet
What you eat and drink affects your wound healing process. Protein-based meals and frequent hydration are an overlooked part of wound care.
Extreme Swelling
After an injury, a wound will naturally swell, but if that swelling doesn’t go down, it can prevent healing. Compression therapy will help swelling go down and restore circulation.
Wound Care in El Paso
At Transmountain Primary Care, our wound care services in El Paso are catered to each patient and their comfort level. If you’re looking to get your non-healing wound treated, call us at (915) 248-2345.
