Reasons Why Wounds Won't Heal and When To See a Doctor

Jul 26, 2022

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Reasons Why Wounds Won't Heal and When To See a Doctor

The saying goes, “time heals all wounds.” Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Chronic wounds might go on for weeks or months. In many cases, you may not recover without medical treatment.

telemedicine wound care

What is a non-healing wound?

A non-healing or chronic wound is a skin injury that does not follow the normal healing course. Most wounds close within 7–14 days. You may need wound care if you have a cut, ulcer, or open wound that doesn’t heal. Prolonged wounds, if left untreated, may lead to severe complications.

 

Non-healing, or chronic, wounds show unique signs, including:

  • unusual in color
  • smelly or foul odor
  • increased pain or numbness in the wounded area
  • increasing fluid discharge
  • swelling

 

Reasons why wounds don't heal

The most common reasons why wounds don't heal include:

  • Poor Circulation
  • Infection
  • Edema
  • Inadequate Nutrition
  • Repetitive Trauma to the Wound

You may benefit from telemedicine wound care if you have a non-healing or chronic wound. Telemedicine uses online doctor consultations or virtual visits. Globally, 75 percent of people will have utilized telemedicine services in 2021.

 

What is telemedicine wound care?

“Tele” means “at or over a distance. “So, the term “telemedicine” (TM) refers to the practice of medicine using technology to diagnose and deliver treatment to patients over long distances. 

TM is a new and rapidly developing field. Wound healing and wound management are excellent examples of how TM wound care improves care. 

 

How telemedicine wound care works

In telemedicine wound care, a medical professional, usually a doctor, will perform an interview and a visual examination through a video visit

The physician may also converse with and respond to inquiries from the patient and their caregiver through secure real-time video. The nurse in the immediate vicinity will apply treatments as directed by the expert.

There are many reasons individuals may not be able to see a doctor for a non-healing wound. Reasons that some patients are choosing telemedicine wound care include:

  • no wound doctors in the area
  • doctors available but no appointments available (overbooked)
  • lack of transportation
  • difficulty getting out of the home because of the wound or other medical problems, like pain
  • lack of assistance to accompany or escort the patient to a wound doctor

With the help of the internet and smart devices like mobile phones and tablets, telemedicine (TM) has become feasible to manage chronic wounds better.

Virtual wound care for non-healing wounds

Virtual wound care involves online care of your wound. It may help you recover faster. Virtual wound care is becoming increasingly popular because it offers many advantages over in-person visits.

Virtual wound care is a convenient way to get the care you need without leaving home. There are many benefits to using telemedicine wound care, including convenience, better assessment, and time savings. 

 

Benefits of telemedicine wound care

Here are some of the reasons to consider telemedicine for wounds.

1. Convenience

  • You don’t need to drive to the doctor’s clinic.
  • No need to sit in the waiting room for a long time.
  • You may get virtual wound care from the comfort zone of your bed or sofa.

2. Control of Infectious Illness

  • To prevent COVID-19 from spreading, doctors may use telemedicine appointments to prescreen patients for possible infection. 
  • Less contact with other germs helps everyone, especially those who are ill frequently or are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised.

3. Better Assessment

  • A specialist can see you in your home.
  • Your doctor can make recommendations to help your home environment.
  • Wounds can be checked at home.

4. Family Connections

  • Family members can be involved in the telemedicine wound visit. Even if they live far away, they can connect via telemedicine.

5. Time and cost saving

  • No need to take off from your work
  • Avoid expenses related to time and travel, such as gas

 

All these advantages can help improve the quality of care for wound patients. Telemedicine can also help reduce costs, improve access to care, promote collaboration between clinicians, and improve patient education. 

 

Summary

Chronic wounds can take a long time to heal, requiring regular monitoring and many follow-ups. That’s why telemedicine has become an excellent option for patients who need wound care for non-healing wounds. Telemedicine helps patients receive faster wound treatment recommendations from the telemedicine wound doctor; thus, there is quicker wound healing.

 

Talk with one of our expert doctors if you want to learn more about virtual services or wound care without walls. My Virtual Physician offers video consultations for non-healing wounds.  

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Contact us today to find out how you can book a wound consultation appointment.

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Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The information, graphics, and images on this site are not intended to substitute diagnosis or treatment by a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for any questions you may have regarding a specific condition.

 

Sources:

"Telehealth in Wound Care - Evidence and Best Practices". woundreference.com. Accessed July 25, 2022.

"Wound Center Without Walls". ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed July 25, 2022.

 

 

Sarah Falcone, BSN, RN, WCN-C, CSWD-C, is a certified wound care nurse, nursing consultant, and health content writer in Fort Worth, TX. She works with clients in home health, wound care, and telemedicine. Sarah is a passionate advocate for moving advanced levels of care to the home, where her clients can safely receive the medical treatments they need with greater satisfaction and comfort. She focuses on patient experience, outcomes, and advancing clinical models using innovative technology to serve patients better. Sarah draws from 15 years of practicing patient care and nursing leadership to share her own nursing experiences and expertise online. Connect with her on LinkedIn!