Why are foot wounds a concern for people with diabetes?
People with diabetes are more likely to have nerve damage, poor circulation, and increased susceptibility to affections. Combined, these factors make treating foot wounds or ulcers more urgent and more complicated than for people who don’t have diabetes.
If you have diabetes, wounds heal slowly and progress quickly, so when left untreated, even a small blister or wound in your foot can lead to a serious infection or, potentially, losing your foot.
Nerve damage from diabetes, known as diabetic neuropathy, can cause the skin to dry and crack, leaving you more vulnerable to wounds and infections. Over time, diabetic neuropathy also leads to a loss of feeling in the foot, and because you can’t feel pain, you have to inspect your feet to be able to tell if you have a wound.
When you notice a diabetic foot wound, you should go to Put Your Feet First as soon as possible to receive treatment.
How do I prevent diabetic foot wounds?
Successfully managing your diabetes is the best way to prevent complications, including foot wounds. Exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet will improve blood flow throughout your body, prevent nerve damage, and reduce your risk of foot wounds.
Regularly inspecting and taking care of your feet will keep your feet healthier and ensure you get prompt treatment for wounds when they do occur. At least once a day, you should search the bottoms of your feet and toes for signs of:
- Puncture wounds
- Bruises
- Redness
- Blisters
- Ulcers
- Cuts
- Scratches
To care for your feet, thoroughly wash them with soap and warm water, and apply lotion to prevent dryness and cracking. You should also trim your toenails regularly.
Make sure you have comfortable, supportive shoes that allow your feet to breathe, and wear socks at all times to protect your feet from infections and the development of blisters and sores.
Dr. Forman can help you with your self-care routine, remove any corns or calluses (which can become infected), and clean your wounds using mist therapy.
What is mist therapy?
Dr. Forman offers mist therapy to prevent diabetic foot wounds from becoming infected and to help them heal more quickly. As a pain-free procedure, mist therapy involves cleaning wounds with a sterile saline solution, which also helps stimulate your body’s healing response. In addition to applying medicine, “off-loading” pressure from the wound bandaging your foot, mist therapy can supplement your diabetic wound care treatment plan.
To get help managing diabetic foot wounds, call to schedule an appointment at Put Your Feet First or use the convenient online booking tool.