Chemical signals instruct cells to create collagen, which serves as a type of scaffolding, and other tissues to begin the repair process.
Occasionally, you see the result of this process as a scar that starts out red and eventually dulls. Over time, the new tissue gets stronger. You might notice stretching, itching, and even puckering of the wound as that happens. Within 3 months, the wound is almost as strong in its repair as it was before the trauma.
The entire healing process might take a couple of years to complete. The process seems simple enough, but wound healing is actually quite complicated and involves a long series of chemical signals.
Certain factors can slow or prevent healing entirely. One of the most dramatic factors is reduced or inadequate blood supply to the wound.
The oxygen and nutrients that new blood carries to the wound are essential to successful healing. A wound that is not getting enough blood could take at least twice as long to heal, if it heals at all. By some estimates, as many as 6. Fresh blood brings more oxygen and nutrients to the wound — just the right balance to help it heal. White blood cells , called macrophages, arrive on the scene of the wound.
Macrophages help clean the wound by fighting any infection. They also send out chemical messengers called growth factors that help repair the area. You might see clear fluid in or around the wound. This means white blood cells are at work defending and rebuilding. Once the wound is clean and stable, your body can begin rebuilding the site.
Oxygen-rich red blood cells come to the site to create new tissue. Chemical signals in the body tell cells around the wound to make elastic tissues called collagen. This helps to repair the skin and tissues in the wound. Collagen is like a scaffold that other cells can be built on. At this stage in healing, you might see a fresh, raised, red scar. The scar will slowly fade in color and look flatter. It might look pink and stretched or puckered.
You may feel itching or tightness over the area. Your body continues to repair and strengthen the area. 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.
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. 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. Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and everything else your body needs to heal the wound site.
Almost 6. 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:. We will then wash the staples with saline, pat them dry, apply antibiotic, a clear acrylic dressing called Tegaderm, gauze and tape.
Sometimes, we can gather hair to pull a wound on the scalp shut. We then rubber band or glue the hair with Dermabond to keep the wound closed while it heals. If you have a laceration repair, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:.
Wounds can put at risk of a tetanus infection, a bacterial infection from dirt, dust, saliva or feces. Find a primary care provider near you. Edits to original content made by Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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