What is a chronic wound?
A wound is any break in the skin or deep tissue. Normally the skin heals quickly on its own. Wounds that don’t heal easily are called chronic wounds. They require special care to heal. Chronic wounds can result from:
● Surgical wounds that reopen
● Skin that breaks down when there’s too much pressure over a bony area (pressure ulcers)
● Injury to the feet or legs from poor circulation (arterial or venous ulcers)
● Loss of circulation and feeling due to diabetes (diabetic ulcers)
Why isn’t my wound healing faster?
Sometimes bacteria (germs) are the problem. When you have an open wound, it’s easy for common bacteria from your skin to get inside. Bacteria in your wound is called contamination. Not all contamination is bad, though.
● If bacteria are in your wound, but are not reproducing and not causing a problem, this is called colonization.
● Infection means the bacteria are reproducing, so there are a lot more of them. They are invading the soft tissue and preventing healing.
Other factors that slow wound healing include:
● Poor nutrition
● Certain diseases, such as diabetes or diseases of the liver, kidney, or lungs
● Certain treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation
● Smoking
● Obesity
How can I help my wound heal?
All wounds heal in the same way. First, new red tissue builds up in the bottom. Then new skin grows in from the edges and covers the red tissue. Your wound will heal fastest if you create the best conditions for new tissue to grow. This means keeping your wound clean, warm, and moist. Here’s what you should do:
● Wash your hands. The most important thing you and your caregivers can do to prevent infection is wash your hands. You can use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub. Wash before and after touching your wound.
● Keep a clean dressing on your wound. Dressings keep out germs and protect the wound from injury. They also help absorb fluid that drains from the wound and could damage the skin around it.
● Be careful. Protect the wound from trauma or injury. Don’t let anything touch it or bump it.
● Eat right. Eating the right foods gives your body the building blocks it needs to heal. A list of foods for good wound healing is found here.
● If your wound is on your foot or ankle, keep it free from contamination from water washing off the upper body from a shower or bath. The wound should be kept dry with waterproof covers or elevated in a shower chair to keep contaminated water from the upper body from draining over the wound.
