The first thing to do if a lesion does not disappear, even after treatment, is to go to your doctor, so that he can diagnose the cause and implement appropriate treatment. This problem should not be taken lightly, as it can hide a serious health problem.
1. Wound that does not heal: what are the causes?
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the American Family Physician medical website, the following factors prevent a wound from healing:
- The presence of cancer: some cancerous tumors take the form of lesions that never heal. This is particularly the case for tumors linked to head and neck or even skin cancers.
- Diabetes-related ulcers: People who have diabetes are at high risk of developing sores that don’t heal. This is due to several factors. Diabetics can suffer from neuropathy, which is the loss of sensation of pain in the feet, which means that cuts or trauma to the feet go unnoticed and can become infected. Diabetics also have poor venous return, which complicates wound healing. Finally, their immune system is weakened by the disease, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections.
- Venous ulcers: poor blood circulation to the lower limbs means that wounds located on the legs, and particularly at the ankles, have difficulty healing. This venous return problem can be due to water retention, varicose veins, being overweight or a sedentary lifestyle.
- Arterial ulcers: arteries provide nutrients and oxygen to all tissues of the body. If they are blocked, due to a blood clot for example or atherosclerotic plaques, healing is complicated, and the wound can worsen and become infected.
- Severe burns: as the layers of the skin are affected, healing takes longer, if not impossible.
- Wounds from animal bites: Doctors must remove the flesh around the bite, otherwise the wound will not heal and the risk of infection is increased.
Factors that complicate wound healing are:
- superinfection of the wound;
- blood circulation disorders;
- aging ;
- the repetition of an injury in the same place;
- a weakened immune system;
- smoking;
- certain medications that prevent the healing process.
2. Wound that does not heal: what to do?
Failure to heal a wound or lesion may be a sign of a serious illness (cancerous tumor, diabetes, arterial disorder). It is imperative that the wound be examined quickly by a doctor so that he can establish the cause preventing healing and implement treatment. The article What Can You Do About a Wound that Won’t Heal? published by the University of Maryland Medical System details the treatments implemented depending on the type of wound:
- To avoid wounds that can become infected, people with diabetes need to control their blood sugar, eat enough protein, and hydrate enough. They are advised to wear shoes that protect their feet and to have short nails. In the event of a foot or leg injury, you should seek medical attention immediately.
- To prevent venous leg ulcers from recurring, it may be necessary to wear compression stockings. If you notice abnormal swelling in one or both legs, consult your doctor. He will refer you to a phlebologist if he thinks surgery is necessary.
Sources
- Researchers Uncover Clues to Why Some Wounds Don’t Heal, National Institute or Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, November 2020
- Chronic Wounds: Evaluation and Management, American Family Physician, February 2020
- What Can You Do About a Wound that Won’t Heal?, University of Maryland Medical System, September 2023
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