The invention provides a method of accelerating the healing process of a skin or subdermal wound. The method can include administering to a mammal afflicted with a skin or subdermal wound an effective amount of a gelatinase inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the gelatinase inhibitor is effective to accelerate the healing process of the skin wound. The method is particularly effective when the mammal is suffering from diabetes. The gelatinase inhibitor can be topically administered, for example, in the form of a cream, gel, lotion, ointment, salve, or solution.
