There are a number of factors that can lead to the lengthy or speedy healing of your wound.

There are a number of factors that play crucial roles in the wound healing process. Some of these obstacles are under the control of the patient or clinician, while others may not be. Key issues that may affect the type of wound care you require include:

Wound Type

Depending on whether the wound is the result of surgery or an injury (chronic wounds), patients may experience different problems during the recovery time. Issues these two types if wounds may include:

  • Chronic wounds: swelling, abnormal smell, unexpected pain and tenderness, wound breakdown, lengthy healing times or an increase in fragility
  • Acute wounds: delayed healing, wound separating, local swelling and tenderness or pyrexia


Personal hygiene of both the patient and anyone else who is in contact with the wound could have an affect on the healing process. Any time that the wound dressing is changed, the person doing so should wash his or her hands with soap and water first. Additionally, this best practice should be done in a sterile environment using clean wound care products to help prevent infection. Overall and oral health can also play a role in the time it takes area to heal.


What patients eat can help speed up the progress of healing wounds. For instance, foods that are high in protein, iron, a variety of minerals (zinc and copper) and vitamins (A, B and C) will all help move things along. On top of that, carbohydrates and fats are necessary for providing the body with energy, and fatty acids promote wound healing as well. And what patients eat is equally important as what they drink. It is especially vital for those in need of burn wound care to keep hydrated as the skin works to recover from the injury.


As with many things related to health, age plays a factor in the time it takes a wound to heal properly. Seniors are likely to experience lengthier recovery times, as their skin suffers from reduced elasticity. The older we get, the more likely we are to need wound infection treatment, as our immune systems weaken with age. A variety of chronic medical conditions can also make it more difficult for the body to quickly progress through the wound healing stages due to issues such as a lack of oxygen or decreased circulation.
