Delayed wound healing
Overview
Delayed wound healing is a condition where cuts, injuries, or surgical incisions take longer than normal to close and repair themselves. This occurs when the body's natural healing process is slowed due to various factors, preventing wounds from progressing through the typical stages of recovery.
Common Causes
Several factors can slow down your body's natural healing process. Poor circulation reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue repair, while conditions like diabetes can impair your immune system's ability to fight infection and rebuild damaged tissue. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly lack of protein, vitamin C, or zinc, can leave your body without the building blocks it needs for proper healing. Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels which can interfere with the inflammatory response necessary for wound repair. Smoking restricts blood flow and reduces oxygen levels in tissues, while certain medications like steroids can suppress your immune system's healing response.
Severity Levels
Mild: Minor cuts or scrapes that take a few extra days to close completely, with slightly slower scab formation than usual.
Moderate: Wounds that remain open or show minimal healing progress after 1-2 weeks, may have persistent drainage or redness around the edges.
Severe: Large wounds that show little to no healing after several weeks, may develop complications like infection, or surgical incisions that fail to close properly requiring medical intervention.
Medical Attention
Contact your healthcare provider if a wound hasn't shown signs of healing within a week, or if it appears to be getting worse instead of better. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice signs of infection such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaking from the wound. You should also consult a doctor if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or take medications that may affect healing, as these require professional monitoring of wound recovery.
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