Diabetes Can Be Causing Your Wounds to Heal Slower
Chronic wounds are something that many diabetic patients must learn to live with. Good thing there are diabetic wound care options that can help improve their quality of life.
Without them, wound healing would not only take longer to heal but could also lead to infections and complications. But why are cuts and wounds slow to heal in diabetic patients?
In some cases, slow healing cuts and wounds is a sign of an underlying disease like diabetes. It’s a symptom you must keep an eye on and you’ll know why in a little bit.
How Wounds Heal
- The immune system responds to cuts and wounds, causing them to become inflamed. This is one way of preventing infections.
- New cells form over the wound in the form of a scab. This indicates that healing is on the way.
- Scar tissue forms over the cut or wound. This effectively seals the cut and heals the wound.
For most healthy people, the three-stage process happens in a matter of days or weeks, depending on the gravity of the wound. For those in a poor state of health or has diabetes, wound healing will take longer.
Why is a wound slow to heal?
As previously mentioned underlying diseases can cause the healing process to slow down. Certain deficiencies will also have similar results.
Individuals with diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vascular or arterial diseases are highly likely to suffer from a chronic wound. Diabetic patients are sure to require the best diabetic wound care available.
Individuals with low human growth hormone (HGH) and zinc will also experience slow wound healing.
What causes slow wound healing in diabetes patients?
Blood needed for skin repair must reach sores or wounds in order for them to heal faster. Poor blood circulation, however, can occur in patients with diabetes. This is due to their high levels of blood glucose that have an adverse effect on the nerves.
Because the blood can no longer reach affected areas of the body, wounds can remain open and unhealed for months. This can lead to gangrene, fungal infections, and bacterial infections.
If the cuts and wounds occur on the feet, immediate diabetic wound care must be administered. This is because even a graze can increase the risk of amputation if not treated properly.
One solution to reduce the risk of slow healing of wounds is to keep blood glucose levels under control.
Slow wound healing as a symptom of a disease
If you are not diagnosed with diabetes but your cuts and wounds take longer to heal, it is recommended that you have yourself checked, particularly your blood glucose levels.
As previously mentioned, this could be a symptom of underlying diseases. It is best to get a proper diagnosis so you will know if diabetic wound care is the best approach to dealing with your wounds.
Make sure to consult a healthcare professional if a cut or burn takes a long time to heal or shows signs of infection. This is especially crucial if the cut is on your feet. You don’t want to lose your feet, do you?
We specialize in diagnosis and treatment for any and all vascular health issues for patients in San Diego County, Orange County and Riverside County. For more information or to set an appointment, please contact us.
