Enhancing Wound Healing Processes
Using nanotech to improve wound healing speeds and prevent bacterial infections
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The Problem
Looking at face value, the wound healing problem seems little and nonexistent, as wounds seem to heal fast and infection rarely happens. While that may seem like the case, the reality is much different.
Time
How long it takes to heal a wound depends on how large or deep the cut is. It may take up to a few years to completely heal. An open wound may take longer to heal than a closed wound.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, after about 3 months, most wounds are repaired. The new skin and tissue is about 80 percent as strong as it was before it was injured, per the University of Rochester Medical Center. A large or deep cut will heal faster if your healthcare provider sutures it. This helps to make the area your body has to rebuild smaller.
This is why surgical wounds typically heal faster than other kinds of wounds. Surgery cuts normally take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, according to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Wounds may also heal faster or better if you keep them covered. According to the Cleveland Clinic, wounds need moisture to heal. A bandage also keeps the wound cleaner.
However, some health conditions can cause very slow healing or stop wound healing. This can happen even if your cut is due to surgery or a medical procedure.
Poor wound healing
Blood supply is one of the most important factors in wound healing. Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and everything else your body needs to heal the wound site. A wound can take twice as long to heal, or not heal at all, if it doesn’t get enough blood.
Almost 6.5 million people in the United States have wounds that don’t heal well. There are several reasons why a wound may not heal properly. Age can affect how you heal. Elderly adults may have slower healing wounds. Some health conditions may lead to poor blood circulation. These conditions can cause poor wound healing: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and vascular disease.
