When should I be concerned about a slow healing skin wound on my foot?

Hi,

There are various reasons why a wound does not heal properly. Infection of the wound is a common reason for poor wound healing. Sometimes, infection by atypical bacteria can also cause poor wound healing.

Other causes include recurrent trauma, poor vascular circulation and trapped foreign body in the wound. An underlying skin cancer can also present with a non healing wound, though this is much less likely in your age group. Diabetics also generally have poorer wound healing.

I would suggest seeing your doctor or dermatologist for a proper assessment and treatment of the wound.

Poor wound healing is usually due to many causes. You are right to say that infection is one of the potential causes. There are many types of causes of infection ranging from bacterial, viral, fungal, and even parasitic causes. However more common would be due to repetitive trauma to the area , in this case to your foot. Proper foot wear, avoiding heels in the meantime, in-soles, proper hygiene to the area may all help. Other causes include poor circulation, diabetes, underlying bony growth.

The big "c" word - cancer, is something to consider but one shouldn't jump to that conclusion immediately. Common things are common as the saying goes.

I would advise you to see a doctor and perhaps even get a sample of the wound and/or blood test to send it to a lab to have it analyse. This usually tells us if its one of the causes above.

Hi,

There are various reasons why a wound does not heal properly. Infection of the wound is a common reason for poor wound healing. Sometimes, infection by atypical bacteria can also cause poor wound healing.

Other causes include recurrent trauma, poor vascular circulation and trapped foreign body in the wound. An underlying skin cancer can also present with a non healing wound, though this is much less likely in your age group. Diabetics also generally have poorer wound healing.

I would suggest seeing your doctor or dermatologist for a proper assessment and treatment of the wound.