When a Wound Won’t Heal: Signs It’s Time to See a Specialist

A wound is any injury that breaks through your skin or other soft tissues. Everyone experiences wounds from time to time, and some people are more prone to wounds than others. While the human immune system can handle most wounds with ease, it’s possible to develop a wound that just won’t heal properly. 

Residents of McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas, have an outstanding wound care resource in our team at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC. 

If you find yourself dealing with a wound that doesn’t seem to be improving, you can rely on John Hovorka, MD, and Cynthia Salinas, MD, for outstanding treatment. 

Let’s examine what you can do to help your wounds heal faster, and how to identify when the time has come to ask for professional intervention. 

Why is my wound taking so long to heal?

In general, wounds should heal in a linear fashion: The wound should begin to get better quickly, and that progress should continue until the wound is fully healed. When a wound isn’t healing over time, or when the healing progress encounters setbacks like pain or infection, something is wrong. 

Here are some of the reasons why a wound might not be healing properly:

• Infection
• Poor circulation
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Diabetes (which causes poor circulation)
• Repeated trauma (repeat damage to the same wound site)

These are not the only issues that can get in the way of the healing process, but they are the most common factors. 

How can I help a wound heal?

There are steps you can and should take to help your body heal after a wound. Proper healing begins with the actions you take immediately after sustaining a wound. 

Begin by cleaning the area as thoroughly as possible. Most often, this means flushing the site with a running stream of clean water. If there’s dirt or debris in the wound, try to carefully remove it with a clean piece of gauze or cloth. 

Next, apply antibiotic ointment to the area to reduce the risk of infection. Cover the wound with a sterile bandage that extends a bit beyond the edges of the wound to protect it more fully. 

Be sure to change the bandage and reapply ointment as needed or at least once a day. Pay close attention to the healing progress, and be aware of any signs of infection, like pain, swelling, redness, or the presence of pus at the site. 

When is it time to see a specialist for a wound that won’t heal?

If you’re diabetic, it’s important to see a specialist at the first sign that a wound isn’t healing. That’s because diabetes damages both your circulation and nerve function. This can leave you with a wound that’s worse than it feels, and without the oxygenated blood and nutrients it needs to heal. 

Otherwise, keep a close eye on your wound to ensure that healing is moving forward properly. If it seems like your healing has stalled or your wound is getting worse instead of better, it’s always a good idea to have a medical professional take a look. 

At Laser Surgical Solutions,RGV, PLLC, we have numerous treatment options for complex wounds or those that aren’t healing properly. Examples include:

• Skin graft surgery
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Advanced wound dressings
• Prescription pain medication
• Professional wound cleaning
• Debridement (removal of diseased or dead tissue)
• Prescription antibiotics or antifungal medication

Wounds that won’t heal can lead to serious problems like tissue death or severe infection. Working with a skilled professional is the best way to avoid negative outcomes. 

If you need our services, give us a call today. You can also book a visit online if that’s more convenient for you. Our Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, team looks forward to assisting you at one of our offices in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas.