What can be the causes of a sore not healing?

Causes for sores not healing:

- Infection: Bacterial or fungal infections can slow the healing process or even prevent a sore from healing in the first place. Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, warmth, drainage and yellow, green or brown discoloration and pus.

- Diabetes: Diabetics are prone to sores that don’t heal because the high levels of sugar in the bloodstream damage small blood vessels, especially those in the limbs and feet, which can cause poor or reduced circulation.

- Poor circulation: Blood delivers the oxygen and nutrients needed to heal wounds. If you have any medical condition that impairs blood flow, such as arterial disease, a sore might be slower to heal than expected.

- Nutritional deficiency: Proper nutrition is essential for healing, as certain vitamins and nutrients, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc are necessary for healthy tissue growth and repair. Deficiency in these crucial vitamins and nutrients can slow the healing process.

- Underlying disease: Healing is sometimes delayed by an underlying medical condition. Examples include Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and an Autoimmune Disease.

- Medication side effects: Certain medications, including steroids and chemotherapy drugs, suppress the immune system. A suppressed immune system can impair wound healing.

- Smoking: It hampers blood flow in small vessels and decreases the availability of oxygen to help heal your wound.

- Obesity: Excess body weight causes chronic inflammation, hindering cellular processes such as wound healing.

- Advanced age: As people get older, the healing process slows.