5 Signs Your Wound May Be Chronic—and What That Really Means

A wound that hasn’t healed after a week or two may seem minor, but it could be something more serious. Minor injuries usually heal faster than we expect but there can be many reasons that a minor injury turns out to become a chronic wound and makes it hard to heal.

When wounds linger without improvement, it’s often a sign of an underlying problem that needs professional attention.

In Southern California’s aging and diabetic population, chronic wounds are increasingly common, yet many people don’t know what they are, or how to recognize them early.

This blog breaks down what defines a chronic wound, the most common causes, and how Life Health CMG helps manage and monitor long-healing wounds with in-home care and personalized treatment plans.

What Is the Meaning of a Chronic Wound?

Definition and Timeframe

A chronic wound is a break in the skin that fails to heal within 30 days, often remaining open, inflamed, or painful. Unlike acute wounds, which go through a predictable healing process, chronic wounds stall in one of the stages, usually inflammation or proliferation.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), chronic wounds are often linked to underlying conditions like poor blood circulation, diabetes, or prolonged pressure.

What Causes a Wound to Become Chronic?

1. Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores)

Pressure ulcers are common in seniors or individuals with limited mobility. They develop over bony areas (hips, heels, tailbone) due to prolonged pressure, leading to skin breakdown.

Without early intervention, they deepen quickly.

Also Read: Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Seniors: 9 Best Practices for Caregivers

2. Diabetic Wounds

People with diabetes often develop ulcers on their feet, which can take months to heal. Poor blood flow, nerve damage, and slow immune response make even small injuries risky.

3. Venous Leg Ulcers

When blood pools in the lower legs due to poor circulation, it causes swelling and skin breakdown. These wounds may ooze and become chronic without compression therapy or professional care.

4. Surgical Wounds That Reopen

Post-operative wounds that reopen or become infected are more likely to become chronic, especially in patients with comorbidities like obesity or heart disease.

5. Infection or Poor Wound Care

Improper dressing changes, skipped cleanings, or using the wrong ointments can allow bacteria to grow, blocking normal healing.

Signs You’re Dealing with a Long Healing Wound

Not sure if your wound is chronic? Here are red flags:

No noticeable improvement after 14 days
Ongoing drainage or unpleasant odor
Skin around the wound is red, swollen, or warm
Pain increases instead of decreases
Wound reopens after partial healing

If you see these signs, don’t wait. Also Read: Spot signs of wound infection here

Why Chronic Wounds Are Harder to Treat

Compromised Healing Environment

In chronic wounds, normal healing is interrupted by inflammation, infection, or necrotic tissue. The body’s resources are stretched thin trying to repair tissue that isn’t responding, which delays or halts the process entirely.

Biofilms and Bacterial Load

One of the biggest hidden issues in long-healing wounds is biofilm, a thin layer of bacteria that clings to the wound and resists antibiotics. Biofilms must be physically removed during debridement, which is best done by a trained medical professional.

How Life Health CMG Helps Treat Chronic Wounds

Life Health CMG brings advanced wound care to your home, helping patients across Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, and beyond.

Our approach includes

In-home wound assessments
Advanced dressings and grafts for long-healing wounds
Telemedicine follow-ups for monitoring progress
Prescription management for antibiotics and pain relief
Education for caregivers on wound cleaning and dressing changes

How to Prevent Chronic Wounds From Developing

1. Inspect Wounds Daily

Look for changes in color, smell, or pain. Seniors and diabetics should check their feet, heels, and hips especially.

2. Manage Underlying Conditions

Control blood sugar, treat varicose veins, and follow your doctor’s advice on circulatory support or diet.

3. Follow a Wound Care Plan

Don’t improvise. Use medical-grade supplies and follow a proven dressing schedule.

Also Read: Review how to clean a wound at home

4. Stay Mobile (if able)

Movement increases circulation and prevents pressure ulcers. For bedridden patients, repositioning every 2 hours helps.

Don’t Wait—Chronic Wounds Need Action

If your wound isn’t healing or getting worse, it’s time to take it seriously. Chronic wounds aren’t just slow to heal; they’re complex medical conditions that need expert care.

Life Health CMG offers personalized,in-home wound care to help you heal faster and prevent further complications.