Radiation therapy can be life-saving—but in some cases, it can damage healthy tissue and blood vessels. Months or even years after treatment, some patients develop radiation ulcers: wounds that do not heal properly due to tissue damage and reduced blood flow.
If you have a wound in an area previously treated with radiation and it isn’t healing, it requires specialized care. Radiation ulcers rarely resolve without targeted intervention.
At Well&You, we provide advanced wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support healing in radiation-damaged tissue.
What Is a Radiation Ulcer?
A radiation ulcer is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in tissue previously exposed to radiation therapy.
Radiation can:
Because circulation is compromised, even minor skin breakdown can become a persistent ulcer.
You should seek evaluation if you notice:
Radiation-damaged tissue does not heal the same way as healthy skin.
Diagnosis begins with:
Because radiation affects microcirculation, evaluating oxygen delivery is critical to developing a treatment plan.
Radiation ulcers require a specialized approach focused on restoring oxygen and supporting tissue repair.
Advanced Wound Care May Include:
- Debridement (removal of non-viable tissue)
- Advanced dressings
- Infection management
- Negative pressure wound therapy
- Pressure relief strategies
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is often a key component in treating radiation ulcers. HBOT works by:
- Delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber
- Increasing oxygen concentration in damaged tissue
- Stimulating new blood vessel formation
- Supporting collagen production
- Enhancing infection resistance
Radiation ulcers frequently respond best when oxygen delivery is restored.
Radiation ulcers rarely heal without intervention.
Approach | Improves Oxygen Delivery | Supports Tissue Repair | Reduces Complication Risk |
| Advanced Wound Care + HBOT |  | | |
| Basic Home Care |  | Limited | Moderate |
| Ignoring Symptoms | | | High |
Radiation ulcer treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are typically covered by insurance when medically necessary. Well&You works with most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
Our Patient Navigators help you:
You can learn more by visiting our Insurance & Coverage page.
You may benefit from specialized care if you:
Early evaluation improves healing outcomes.
Radiation ulcers can:
Because radiation reduces circulation permanently, wounds require proactive management. The longer a radiation ulcer remains untreated, the more complex it may become.
Patients treated for radiation ulcers at Well&You often report:
Healing takes time—but targeted treatment improves outcomes.
If you have a wound in a previously radiated area that isn’t healing, early intervention can prevent serious complications.
