Information for Patients
Understanding wound care, healing options, and what you can do to help your recovery
If you or a loved one is dealing with a wound that won't heal, you're not alone. Millions of people struggle with chronic wounds each year, and there are more options available now than ever before to help support healing and improve outcomes.
This page is here to help you:
- Understand what chronic wounds are and why they sometimes don't heal like other injuries
- Learn about modern wound care options including innovative treatments
- Prepare to talk with your doctor about treatment possibilities
- Take an active role in your own healing process
What Are Chronic Wounds?
Most wounds heal naturally within a few weeks as your body goes through a predictable healing process. However, some wounds become "chronic" or "non-healing," persisting for weeks, months, or even longer without progress. This doesn't mean there's something wrong with you - it means your wound needs specialized care.
Why Don't Some Wounds Heal?
Chronic wounds develop when the normal healing process gets stuck. Several things can cause this:
🩺 Underlying Health Conditions
Diabetes, circulation problems, and immune system issues can slow or prevent healing. These conditions affect how your body delivers nutrients and oxygen to the wound.
💧 Poor Blood Flow
If blood vessels aren't delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the wound, healing slows down significantly. This is especially common in leg wounds and diabetic foot ulcers.
🦠 Infection
Bacterial infections can prevent healing and cause wounds to get worse. Chronic wounds often develop bacteria that form protective films (called "biofilms") that antibiotics can't easily reach.
⚖️ Pressure or Friction
Wounds that are constantly being irritated or have pressure applied to them can't heal. This is why pressure ulcers develop and why rest is so important.
🥗 Nutrition Issues
Your body needs protein, vitamins, and minerals to build new tissue. Malnutrition or poor eating slows healing, even if everything else is fine.
🔄 Chronic Inflammation
Sometimes a wound stays in an inflamed state instead of progressing to healing. This can create a stuck cycle where the wound doesn't improve on its own.
The good news: Understanding what's preventing healing is the first step to solving the problem. Your healthcare team can assess what factors are affecting your specific wound and develop a plan to address them.
What Are Biologic Wound Dressings?
Traditional wound dressings work by keeping wounds clean and moist, which is helpful. But for chronic wounds, sometimes you need more than just protection - you need active support for healing. That's where biologic dressings come in.
What Makes Biologic Dressings Different?
Biologic dressings are made from natural materials and contain helpful substances that actually encourage your body to heal. Instead of just covering the wound, they work WITH your body's natural healing processes.
Fish Skin Grafts - How They Help
One advanced biologic option is fish skin grafts (like Kerecis). Here's how they work in simple terms:
1 Natural Scaffold
Fish skin provides a natural structure that gives your body a "template" for building new, healthy tissue. Your own cells can migrate into this scaffold and build new skin.
2 Healthy Fats (Omega-3)
Fish skin is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (the same healthy fats found in fish you eat). These fats help reduce inflammation and support the normal healing process.
3 Active Support for Healing
Unlike passive dressings, fish skin actively encourages your body to rebuild tissue. It helps create an environment where healing can progress.
4 Gradual Integration
Over time, the fish skin naturally integrates with your healing wound and is gradually replaced by your own healthy new tissue. Nothing is left behind.
Spider Silk Dressing - Another Option
For certain wounds, particularly surgical wounds or wounds that need precise closure, spider silk dressing (SYLKE) offers unique benefits:
Spider silk is extremely strong yet gentle on tissue. It provides excellent wound closure support while minimizing scarring and tissue damage. It's particularly useful when you want optimal healing with minimal visible scarring, such as on the face or other visible areas.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Being an active participant in your wound care is important. Here are some helpful questions you can ask your healthcare provider to better understand your wound and treatment options:
Important Information
This website is intended primarily for healthcare providers. The information presented here is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
For Patients: If you are a patient seeking wound healing solutions, please consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and treatment recommendations appropriate for your specific condition. Every wound is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Only your healthcare provider, who understands your complete medical history, can recommend the best treatment approach for you.
Not Medical Advice: The information on this page does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. Information about wound types, healing processes, and treatment options is provided for educational purposes only. Individual patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning must be performed by qualified healthcare professionals.
You Can Make a Difference
Healing from a chronic wound is a partnership between you and your healthcare team. While your doctors and nurses provide the medical expertise and advanced treatments, there are important things you can do to support your own healing:
🥗 Nutrition
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein, vegetables, and fruits. Your body needs these nutrients to build new tissue. Talk to your doctor about nutrition if you're having difficulty eating.
💊 Medications
Take all medications exactly as prescribed. If you have side effects or concerns, talk to your doctor rather than stopping them. Some medications (especially for diabetes and blood pressure) directly affect healing.
👟 Follow Instructions
Follow your doctor's instructions about offloading (taking pressure off the wound), dressing changes, and activity restrictions. These instructions are designed specifically to help your wound heal.
⏰ Attend Appointments
Regular check-ups allow your healthcare team to monitor progress and catch problems early. Missing appointments can significantly delay healing.
🔔 Report Changes
Tell your doctor immediately about increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage, odor, or any other changes. Early intervention can prevent serious complications.
💪 Stay Positive
Healing takes time. Stay hopeful and positive. Studies show that attitude and mental health can influence healing outcomes.
Finding Advanced Wound Care Options
If your current wound isn't healing and you want to explore advanced treatment options, here's how to find them:
Talk to Your Doctor
Start with your primary care doctor or the doctor treating your wound. Tell them your wound isn't improving and ask about referrals to wound care specialists who may have access to advanced biologic dressing options.
Wound Care Specialists
Look for wound care centers or specialists in your area. These providers specialize in non-healing wounds and have access to the latest treatment technologies and options.
Hospital Systems
Larger hospitals often have specialized wound care departments or clinics. Call your local hospital and ask about wound care services.
Contact Sunspot Medical
If you're in the Las Cruces or El Paso area, Sunspot Medical Group can help connect you with providers who offer advanced wound care solutions.
Want to learn more about your options?
Contact Sunspot Medical for Referrals