Slow wound healing

[katieoxo60]

I injured my leg in the garden about eight weeks ago and it is still not fully healed. Does anyone know if the drugs for COPD or the illness itself can cause this slow healing.?

[Hidden]

Hi Katie I am not entirely sure about the COPD drugs causing slow healing, they seem to cause thin skin where bruising and skin tears are common, but I've not noticed slow healing particularly.

I am thinking you should get the wound checked by the doc. A pharmacist told me once if a cut or graze or other wound doesn't show good signs of healing after a week you should really get anti biotics to help prevent infection.

This particularly important for diabetics who do have this slow healing problem and extra care of injury and wound infection is needed.

Its only a suggestion but maybe ask your doc if you should be tested for diabetes if you've not already been tested. Either way I do think after 8 weeks you need proper medical care of this wound.

Take good care and best wishes.

BC

[Hidden]

I would agreed with BlakeyC I think you should just let the doctors have a look. Better to be safe. Take care TAD x x

[johnwr]

Hi katieoxo60,

My experience is similar to yours, Katie. I have been told that the steroids that help us with breathing do interfere with the healing process.What I have found that works for me, is to dress any wound that is more than a simple scratch with some iodine impregnated gauze and a plaster. The gauze I use has the trade name 'Inodine'.

I find the District Nurses to be ideal for this sort of thing. They are regularly passing where I live, so it is convenient for them to stop to look at any damage I may have done to myself, and dress it. I don't recommend that people use this without some advice from either GP or Nurse. All I can say is, 'It works for me.'.

breathe easy

johnwr

[seyre]

Having big problems with thin skin and damaging it. I have been recommended Hydrocolloid dressings for any wound so that nothing sticks and causes bleeding. The last band I had, I ended up with a haemotoma and have to have it dressed twice a week. My grandchildren suggested shin pads! The other suggestion made to me was 'wikkies' to protect my legs. I have bought a pair on line and once my dressings are finished I will be giving them a try. Will notify on the site what they are like but worth looking on the web at them. Susie Q

[seyre]

I was also told 'honey' is a great healer and they are now using that on dressings. Susie

[Hidden]

I had a very deep leg wound that required about 20 hospital visits for checking and dressing ... i had doppler test (to check blood flow as the nurse was very concerned at the very slow healing) and it was borderline ... THEN I went on holiday and bathed my leg in the sea ... it healed within a week :)) need clean salt water of course so that clean sea was perfect. One of the medics whispered that clue in my ear as it isnt usually prescribed ! so maybe ask the doc and see what they say.

[katieoxo60]

Thanks for all the replies, all the things mentioned have been given, antibiotics, honey dressings, hydrocolloid dressings from boots, antiseptic creams, dry dressings, inodine. Have to say I considered salt but did not try, maybe try salt in the bath like we used to do for wounds after births in the old days. Been tested for diabetes as it runs in the family, but seems I'm OK for that. The wound is still healing, so guess I'll have to let nature take it's course as they say, after all it was a deep nasty cut and I'm getting older so healing does take longer. Thanks for all the support

[Hidden]

Not sure about other meds Katie but steroids are well known for causing thinning of the skin x

[katieoxo60]

thanks for that lovelight, it seems steroids might have a part to play along with the normal loss of elasticity from age that causes thinning too, steroids do have side effects but inhaled ones are less potent.