It’s Just a Small Cut… Right?

If you have diabetes or poor circulation, a small cut on your foot isn’t “just a cut.” What may seem like a minor issue can turn serious—fast. That’s why non-healing foot wounds need to be taken seriously and treated early.

At West Haven Foot and Ankle Center, we see this all the time: someone comes in with a sore on their foot that’s been there for weeks—or even months. It doesn’t hurt much, so they thought it would go away on its own. But it hasn’t. And that’s the danger.

Let’s talk about why wounds don’t heal, who’s most at risk, and how we can help you heal safely and comfortably.

Why Some Foot Wounds Don’t Heal

Your feet go through a lot every day—walking, standing, rubbing against shoes. If your body is already working harder due to health issues, it can struggle to heal properly.

Here are a few common reasons foot wounds don’t heal:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, slowing down healing and making you less likely to feel pain.

• Poor circulation: Without good blood flow, your body can’t deliver the nutrients needed for healing.

• Infection: Even a small wound can get infected, especially if it's not cleaned and treated early.

• Pressure points: Constant rubbing or pressure from walking, shoes, or calluses can stop wounds from closing.

The Danger of Waiting

It’s easy to think, “I’ll keep an eye on it,” or “It doesn’t hurt, so it must be fine.” But with foot wounds, especially in people with diabetes, that mindset can lead to serious consequences.

Untreated wounds can lead to:

• Deep infections

• Skin and tissue breakdown

• Bone infections (osteomyelitis)

• Ulcers that don’t close

• Amputation in severe cases

The earlier you get help, the better the outcome. At West Haven Foot and Ankle Center, we focus on preventing complications before they start.

What to Watch For

If you notice any of the following, it’s time to call your podiatrist:

• A wound or sore on your foot that hasn’t improved after 7–10 days

• Redness, warmth, or swelling around the area

• Drainage, pus, or foul odor

• Black or dark-colored tissue

• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the area

These signs could mean the wound is infected or worsening—even if you don’t feel much pain.

How We Help at West Haven Foot and Ankle Center

We specialize in diabetic foot care in West Haven CT, and that includes treating foot wounds with advanced care options.

Here’s how we support your healing:

• Comprehensive evaluation: We assess your circulation, nerve function, and risk factors to understand what’s preventing healing.

• Wound cleaning and debridement: We remove dead tissue so the wound can close properly.

• Custom pressure relief: We use padding, offloading boots, or special shoes to keep pressure off the wound while it heals.

• Infection control: If needed, we prescribe antibiotics or advanced treatments to stop infection.

• Ongoing foot care education: We help you understand how to care for your feet at home and prevent wounds in the future.

Our goal is to keep you mobile, safe, and out of the hospital—while helping your feet feel good again.

Don’t Wait. Let’s Take Care of It Together.

At our West Haven podiatry clinic, we treat every patient like family. If you have a wound that isn’t healing, don’t try to tough it out. The sooner we see it, the better the chances we can help it heal—without complications.

Call us today or book an appointment online. We’re here to help you stay active, comfortable, and healthy.