Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What are Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds?

Chronic wounds are those that do not heal within the expected time frame. These wounds may persist for months or even years and are often a result of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, or infections. Non-healing wounds can lead to significant complications if not properly managed.

Causes of Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds

• Diabetes. Poor blood circulation and nerve damage in diabetic patients can impair the healing process, leading to chronic wounds.
• Poor Circulation. Conditions like peripheral artery disease or venous insufficiency can cause a lack of adequate blood flow to wounds, preventing healing.
• Infections. Infections can prevent wounds from healing by keeping the area inflamed and inhibiting tissue regeneration.
• Pressure Ulcers. Prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body, particularly in bedridden individuals, can lead to non-healing sores.
• Other Conditions. Autoimmune diseases, malnutrition, and prolonged use of certain medications may also contribute to non-healing wounds.

Symptoms

• A wound that persists for more than six weeks without signs of improvement.
• Redness, swelling, and possibly an increased temperature around the wound site.
• Discharge or drainage from the wound, which may indicate infection.

Treatment

• Addressing the underlying cause, such as controlling blood sugar levels for diabetic patients or improving circulation.
• Cleaning and dressing the wound to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Advanced treatments such as wound care technologies (e.g., negative pressure wound therapy) or surgery may be required in some cases.