3 Reasons Why Your Wound Isn't Healing

The human body is naturally equipped to heal itself following an injury. And while it’s normal for healing to take some time, what happens when a wound lingers and refuses to heal properly?

About 6.5 million Americans are living with chronic, slow-healing wounds. Chronic wounds can be frustrating, painful, and concerning — especially if you notice symptoms like persistent redness, swelling, or oozing that doesn’t seem to improve.

These symptoms are indicators that something might be interfering with the healing process, and our team at Path MD Labs is here to help you find answers. We specialize in advanced wound pathogen detection in Los Angeles, California, and if you’ve been dealing with a wound that just won’t heal, here are three possible reasons why and what to do about it.

1. Poor circulation

One of the most common reasons for slow-healing wounds is poor circulation. Your blood delivers essential oxygen and nutrients to heal damaged tissues, and when blood flow to a wound is limited, this delivery system is compromised.

Poor circulation can affect anyone, but it’s prevalent in people with conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or venous insufficiency. Without sufficient blood supply, wounds may take much longer to heal, and in some cases, they might not heal.

If poor circulation is slowing down your wound healing, addressing the underlying condition can help. Treatments may include medications to improve blood flow, compression therapy for venous insufficiency, or lifestyle changes like increasing physical activity and improving your diet.

2. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels

High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels, impede circulation, and reduce your body’s ability to fight infection. This can lead to wounds that take much longer to heal and are more prone to complications, so managing your blood sugar levels is critical if you have diabetes.

If you have diabetes and a wound that isn’t healing, it’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your blood sugar levels effectively. This might involve adjusting your diet, increasing your physical activity, or changing your medication regimen. Keeping your blood sugar within target ranges can significantly improve your body’s ability to heal wounds.

3. Infection from uncommon pathogens

Sometimes, a wound isn’t healing because it’s infected with pathogens that standard culture techniques have missed. This can happen if the infection is caused by less common bacteria, fungi, or antibiotic-resistant strains that aren’t easily detected.

An infected wound can become red, swollen, and painful, producing pus or an unpleasant odor. The infection can delay healing and, in severe cases, lead to more serious complications like cellulitis or sepsis.

If your wound shows signs of infection and isn’t responding to standard treatments, it might be time for more advanced testing. Our wound fungal detection test uses RT-PCR technology to test for 20 different pathogens and mecA resistance with just one sample.

This cutting-edge test provides results in 24-48 hours, allowing you and your healthcare team to quickly make more informed treatment decisions. With accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment, your wound has a much better chance of healing properly.

Do you have a wound that’s concerning you? Slow-healing wounds should never be ignored, so talk to your healthcare provider and consider advanced testing options like our RT-PCR wound fungal detection test to get the answers you need. Call our office at 424-245-7284 or send us a message today.