Chronic Wounds: Causes, Care & When to Seek Help

Chronic wounds are sores that don’t heal in the usual time — usually longer than 4 weeks. They can drain your energy and slow you down. This page gives clear, practical steps you can use today to manage a chronic wound and know when to get professional care.

Simple daily care steps

Check the wound every day. Wash your hands first and look for changes in size, color, smell, or drainage. Clean gently with normal saline or clean tap water; avoid strong antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide or iodine unless a clinician tells you to, because they can slow healing.

Keep the wound moist, not wet. A moist environment helps skin grow back faster. Use an appropriate dressing: hydrocolloid or foam for low to moderate drainage, alginate for heavy drainage, and non-adherent contact layers for fragile skin. Change dressings based on how much fluid you see — often every 1–3 days — or sooner if the dressing leaks.

Protect the area from pressure and friction. For foot ulcers, offloading (special shoes, felt padding, or casts) matters more than most people expect. For pressure injuries, reposition every 2 hours if you’re in bed and use pressure-relief cushions or mattresses.

Common causes and helpful treatments

Typical causes include poor circulation (venous or arterial), diabetes-related nerve damage, continued pressure, and infection. Treating the cause speeds healing: compression therapy helps venous leg ulcers, improved blood flow is key for arterial ulcers, and blood sugar control is central for diabetic foot wounds.

Debridement — removal of dead tissue — often speeds healing. This can be done by a clinician with tools or by using autolytic dressings that gently break down dead tissue over time. Some wounds may benefit from topical antimicrobial dressings (containing silver or iodine) if infection is suspected, but these should be chosen with professional advice.

Nutrition matters. Eat enough protein and include vitamin C, zinc, and calories to support repair. If you smoke, stopping now improves blood flow and healing speed.

Watch for signs of infection: increasing pain, redness that spreads, warmth, new or worsening swelling, foul odor, green or yellow pus, or fever. If any of these show up, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Use clean technique when changing dressings: wash hands, use clean supplies, avoid touching the wound bed with bare fingers. Keep other medical conditions in control — blood sugar, circulation, and heart health all affect healing.

When in doubt, see a wound clinic or your healthcare provider. Wound specialists can offer debridement, advanced dressings, compression therapy, antibiotics when needed, and advice on offloading and vascular assessment. Quick action often prevents bigger problems.

Want to learn more or find trusted supplies? NorthwestPharmacy.SU offers resources on wound care products, antibiotics, and supplements that support healing. If you’re managing a chronic wound right now, take one small step today: check the wound, clean it gently, and make a plan to see a clinician if anything looks worse.

The Role of Tobramycin in the Management of Chronic Wounds
12 July 2023

The Role of Tobramycin in the Management of Chronic Wounds

In my latest research, I've come across the significant role of Tobramycin in managing chronic wounds. This antibiotic, often used in eye drops or injections, is proving to be a game changer in wound treatment. It fights against various bacteria that can infect and slow down the healing process of long-term wounds. Not only does Tobramycin help to control infection, but it also aids in speeding up the recovery process. It's an exciting development in wound care that could potentially benefit countless individuals struggling with chronic wounds.

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