Slow wound healing is a process in which a wound, whether large or small, heals significantly slower than what is typical.

While wounds go through several healing stages, a wound may take longer to heal for many reasons, including underlying medical conditions, certain medications, individual lifestyle factors, and nutritional deficiencies.

1. Infection

Infection slows the body’s healing process because the body is too busy fighting the infection to heal the injury. Signs you have an infection include:

• Inflammation
• Redness or warmth to the touch
• Pus
• Swelling
• Yellow scabs

2. Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood circulation may slow wound healing. For wounds to heal properly, they need an adequate blood supply to the injured area. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients required for a cut or injury to heal through the body’s cardiovascular system.

3. Lack of Nutrients

The body needs certain nutrients to help repair the damaged skin of a wound. If you do not get enough of these in your diet or through supplementation, your body will not have the tools to heal adequately. The nutrients your body needs for healing include:

• Iron
• Protein
• Selenium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Zinc

4. Chronic Health Conditions

Various chronic health conditions, including diabetes, a weakened immune system, or metabolic syndrome, can all contribute to slow wound healing. Other conditions that can drive slow wound healing include:

5. Cancer

When a person has cancer, their immune system’s ability to repair itself becomes weakened (immunocompromised), hindering their ability to heal wounds quickly.

6. Treatments for Cancer or Other Conditions

Some medications and therapies can slow the healing of wounds because they affect how the immune system responds to injuries. Treatments that can cause slow wound healing include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Methotrexate
• Steroids
• Organ transplant drugs
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) due to higher levels of bleeding
• Anti-inflammatory medications stop the inflammatory action of the immune system, slowing healing

7. Overconsuming Alcohol

Consuming alcohol in high amounts can negatively affect the way the skin repairs itself due to its ability to slow down skin cell production and the action of the immune system.

8. Smoking

The nicotine and toxins in cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the wound. Since oxygen is vital for wound healing, it will take longer to heal without a sufficient supply.

9. Age

After an injury, an inflammatory response tells the body to begin healing. When that inflammatory process lasts too long, wounds heal slower. The inflammatory period after an injury is naturally longer in older adults, making wound healing slower.

10. Individual Sex Hormones

Those with higher levels of estrogen may experience faster wound healing than those with lower levels. This is because estrogen regulates wound healing.

11.  Stress Levels

Stress can affect many aspects of overall health, including wound healing. Psychological stress may impair the action of the immune system, causing the injury to take longer to repair.

12.  Improper Wound Care

Not caring for a wound properly can hinder the healing process by:

• Increasing the risk of infection
• Delaying the repair of tissue
• Causing more damage, making it harder for the wound to heal

How to Promote Faster Healing

Taking care of a wound will ensure proper, swift healing. To promote faster wound healing:

• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid drugs that interfere with healing.
• Avoid smoking.
• Follow treatment plans for chronic conditions.
• Get regular exercise if possible.
• Manage chronic conditions like diabetes that may interfere with wound healing.
• Practice proper wound care.
• Use products that contain infection-fighting agents.

Typical Phases of Wound Healing

There are typically four stages of wound healing. They are:

• Homeostasis: Immediately following the wound, the blood clots to prevent bleeding while the body releases growth factors to heal the injury.
• Inflammation: Days one through four of the healing process involve releasing immune cells that clean up the wound. This is when you may have pain or swelling, and a scab may form.
• Proliferation: Between days four and 21, various cells, including skin and immune cells, work together to close and fill in the injury and reestablish skin function.
• Remodeling: From days 21 to two years, the wound fully closes, and skin cells start to strengthen the area.

Treatment Based on Cause

For a small cut, antibiotic ointment and a bandage will be sufficient. In contrast, a larger injury, such as a surgical wound, will require more wound care, dressings, and follow-ups with a healthcare provider to ensure it heals adequately and doesn’t develop an infection.

Summary

Wounds that heal slower do so for a variety of reasons. Lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption and smoking history, as well as current medications or chronic conditions, can all cause wounds to heal slower.

Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about how slowly your wounds heal. They will determine the cause of your slow-healing wound and effective remedies to ensure that any injury you get improves.