A wound that is not healing: what to check
A minor wound that has not improved in two weeks needs assessment rather than another fortnight of patience.
Most minor wounds show clear progress within days. One that stalls has a reason, and the reason is often fixable.
Common causes
- Repeated disturbance — a wound over a joint being pulled open with every movement.
- Low-grade infection, which may not look dramatic but stops progress.
- Drying out under too little cover, or maceration under too much.
- Poor circulation, especially on the lower leg.
- Something still in it — grit, a fragment, a splinter you thought you removed.
- Underlying conditions such as diabetes, or medication including steroids.
What to do
See a pharmacist, practice nurse or GP. Take the dressing you have been using with you — the type and how often you changed it is useful information.
Get help sooner if
You have diabetes or known poor circulation, the wound is on the lower leg or foot, or there is any sign of infection. These situations do not warrant a wait-and-see approach.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.