Allowing a non-healing wound to "dry out" as part of its healing process is no longer accepted as a best practice by wound care specialists. In fact, modern biology shows us that it's actually the exact opposite.
Wound dressings are an important part of the care provided by the board-certified physicians at Catholic Health. Dressings are materials designed to come in direct contact with wounds, helping wound care providers ensure the cleanliness and moisture of an injury while it heals.
Why Isn't My Skin Healing?
Some damage to the skin can extend deeper than a brush burn or scrape, while other patients may be living with a condition, such as diabetes, that affects our skin's abilities to heal itself.
An open wound that has not improved within six to eight weeks should receive a professional's opinion. The specialists in our Catholic Health Advanced Wound Healing Centers make precise recommendations based on your injury and any preexisting medical conditions that you may have.
Self-treatment is not typically recommended for non-healing wounds, such as use of products like alcohol or peroxide as disinfectants. These substances are actually killing the new cells that wound care treatment is working to build.
Managing Non-healing Wounds and Ulcers
The wound dressing process usually includes:
- Controlled drainage of the skin
- Management of edema, or swelling
- Off-loading to keep pressure off the affected area
- Applying a dressing as a form of protection
Without the protection that an individualized dressing provides, a non-healing wound becomes susceptible to repeat injury. Certain dressings are often treated with an antimicrobial to prevent unwanted bacteria without discouraging skin cells' normal bacteria growth.