Unhealed

Unhealed is an adjective describing something that has not recovered or closed after an injury, illness, or emotional distress. In medical contexts, an unhealed wound or ulcer has not progressed through the normal healing stages and lacks complete closure within the expected time frame. Chronic wounds are often termed unhealed when they fail to heal after weeks or months despite standard care.

Factors hindering healing include infection, poor blood supply, diabetes, malnutrition, edema, pressure, and certain medications. Local factors such as necrotic tissue or biofilm can prevent granulation; systemic factors such as age and immune compromise also play a role. Management requires addressing underlying causes and applying a structured wound-care plan.

Typical treatments include cleansing, debridement of nonviable tissue, maintaining a moist wound environment, infection control, offloading pressure, improving perfusion, and nutrition optimization. When needed, advanced therapies such as negative pressure wound therapy, growth factors, skin grafts, or compression for venous disease may be used. Regular reassessment helps determine healing progress or persistent unhealed status.

Metaphorically, unhealed also describes unresolved emotional or psychological distress, such as trauma, grief, or relational injury. Healing in this sense involves recovery, coping, and integration, often with psychotherapy, social support, and time.

Etymology: from the prefix un- meaning not and heal; the term appears in medical, psychological, and everyday language to denote incomplete or absent healing.