Infections can be annoying. Even if they only affect a tiny portion of your body, you will have difficulty getting things done during the day. The worst part is some of them don’t heal quickly. It takes a while before you can expect a full recovery.
Here are the reasons why it takes time to heal:
You have an underlying illness
If you have other illnesses, you can point to them as the reason behind the delayed recovery. Your body has to fight the infection and deal with other health issues too. You can’t do anything other than wait for things to change.
You didn’t seek medical help
Once you get infected, you should ask for help from a doctor. It doesn’t matter what the potential reason is. Your physician is the only person who can provide an official diagnosis. You will also receive prescriptions for recovery and healing. For instance, you have to take fungal nail tablets if your infection is due to a type of fungi to speed up your recovery.
There’s poor circulation
The only way for the infection to heal is when the red blood cells can carry new cells to the affected area and start rebuilding the tissues. When there’s poor blood circulation, it can slow the process down. It also makes it harder for wounds and infections to heal. Other illnesses might also slow things down even more. You might also put a tight bandage on the affected area, preventing blood from circulating properly.
Inadequate nutrition
You might overlook diet and nutrition when you’re combating an infection. You think that there are other reasons behind the slow recovery. The truth is that what you eat also affects the process, and you should have a reasonable amount of protein in your diet. You must also be adequately hydrated. If you overlook these recommendations, expect the infection to fester longer.
You have diabetes
If you notice that your infections are recurring and don’t heal right away, you might have diabetes. It’s common for people with this condition to experience infections and not go away. Diabetes might also lead to nerve damage that could also slow down the recovery. Worse, anyone with these infections won’t even notice what’s happening. You won’t feel pain when infected, and you end up ignoring it.
There’s too much swelling
If there’s excessive swelling in the affected area, it could be due to the fluid that accumulated on the skin and your body’s inability to heal the wound. There’s also a restriction on the flow of oxygen on the skin. There are therapies to help remove the fluid and for the healing process to commence.
Hopefully, your problem will soon go away and never come back. However, it’s good to know what caused the delay. When you seek help from a medical expert, recovery will happen soon. Follow the instructions, and you’re on the right track. If symptoms worsen, there might be another problem you should be aware of.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.
