Rare Disease Day (February 28 ) shines a light on conditions that are often overlooked or misunderstood. While non-healing wounds aren’t rare in the strict medical sense, they can be underestimated.
Chronic, or non-healing, wounds are far more common than many realise. They can particularly affect those living with diabetes, poor circulation, vascular disease, radiation therapy injuries, or compromised immune systems. Bed sores, pressure sores, and skin grafts can also be slow to heal, especially in elderly patients and those with delicate skin. These wounds often do not show meaningful healing, even after several weeks.
When healing stalls, it can be because the affected tissue isn’t getting enough oxygen. Wounds can then linger for months, increasing the risk of infection, pain, and reduced mobility, with a significant impact on quality of life. Left untreated, even small wounds can become complex and long-lasting.
Like many rare conditions, chronic wounds benefit from early recognition and specialist input. Prompt assessment allows underlying causes to be identified and treated, reducing the risk of long-term complications and helping people stay active and independent.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT ) is now also being used as part of a comprehensive approach to non-healing wounds. It’s a painless, non-invasive treatment available at OxyGeneration clinic in Galway. Clients simply relax while breathing oxygen through a mask in a state-of-the-art chamber.
By delivering high concentrations of oxygen under pressure, HBOT helps get more oxygen to damaged tissues. This can support wound repair, fight infection, and stimulate new blood vessel growth.
Non-healing wounds should never be dismissed as inevitable or untreatable. Early referral and appropriate care can make a meaningful difference.
Call OxyGeneration on 091 394 444 to find out whether HBOT could be the right treatment choice for supporting your chronic wound to heal.
