Can low white blood cell count lead to slower wound healing?

Low white blood cell count may lead to slower wound healing. White blood cells are an important component of the human immune system, involved in inflammatory reactions and anti infection processes. A decrease in their quantity may affect the speed of wound repair. When the white blood cell count is low, the body's ability to resist pathogens decreases, making wounds more susceptible to infection. Infection can prolong the inflammatory phase, hinder fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, thereby delaying the healing process. Mild leukopenia may only show a slightly longer healing time, but if combined with basic diseases such as diabetes and malnutrition, the delay in healing will be more obvious. Patients with leukopenia commonly caused by chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, or viral infections in clinical practice have wound healing times that are several days to several weeks longer than those in healthy individuals. In rare cases such as congenital neutropenia, extreme reduction of white blood cells may lead to long-term wound healing or even ulceration. These patients need to strictly prevent external injuries and seek medical attention immediately once wounds appear. For people receiving radiotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy, even minor wounds should be disinfected and cared for, and if necessary, drugs such as recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor should be used under the guidance of a doctor to increase white blood cell levels.

It is recommended that individuals with low white blood cells increase their nutrient intake, ensure the supplementation of high-quality protein and vitamin C, and avoid injury. If the wound is found to be red, swollen, oozing, or has not scabbed for a long time, medical attention should be sought promptly to assess the risk of infection. Doctors may prescribe topical antibacterial ointments such as mupirocin ointment or oral antibiotics such as cefuroxime axetil tablets based on the situation, while monitoring blood routine to adjust treatment plans.