Here's what you need to know about preventing foot sores and treating them in order to avoid an amputation.
How to Treat a Diabetic Wound
People with diabetes are at increased risk for complications from wound healing for several reasons. First, diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slower to heal than in people who do not have the disease. Second, many people with diabetes also have neuropathy, that is: reduced sensation in their hands or feet which means they do not easily notice an injury right away.
Why are feet at more risk for diabetes wounds? Because feet just take more of a beating in our daily lives than hands do, and we do not look at them as often, so it is harder to spot a wound.
5 Tips for Preventing Foot Sores
The best way to prevent wound complications is to prevent the wound in the first place. You do that by taking good care of your feet. Top ways to keep your feet in good health include:
a) Check your feet every single day, and wash them with mild soap and water. (Be sure to check the water temperature first.) Make it part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth.
b) Dry your feet well. Moisture retained between the toes can cause skin breakdowns.
c) Be cautious in nail salons. Though some specialists recommend avoiding salons and having your nails cut only by a podiatrist, others simply urge caution. "You want to make sure the salon's certification is current and visible," says Brunilda Nazario, MD, a diabetes specialist. And ask when the salon was last inspected by the state, Nazario says. Before treatment, watch to see that the tools are properly sanitized. They should be freshly unwrapped or have just been removed from heat or chemical sterilization -- if it's not clear, ask. If you choose, you could also bring your own nail files. Will you be using a foot spa? Find out whether it's been cleaned and disinfected.
· d) Keep your feet from drying and cracking with regular applications of foot cream.
No matter how small or superficial a wound is, you should not ignore it if you have diabetes, If you stub your toe, get a blister from tight shoes, or nick your chin while shaving, you probably give it little thought. But if you have diabetes, you should seek proper treatment.
Knowing how to treat minor wounds will help you avoid infection and speed healing.
Why Diabetic Wounds Can Cause Problems
Diabetes is a chronic disease where your body can't use glucose, or sugar, the way it should. It can cause a number of complications, including some that make it harder for wounds to heal. These include:
1. Nerve damage (neuropathy). When you have neuropathy, you may not feel the pain of a cut or blister until it has grown worse or become infected.
2. Weakened immune system. When the body's natural defenses are down, even a minor wound may become infected.
3. Narrow arteries. People with clogged arteries in their legs are more likely to develop wounds, have severe wound infections, and have problems healing. Narrowed arteries makes it harder for blood to get to the wound. Blood flow promotes healing, so anything that blocks it can make wounds more likely to become infected.
TREATMENT
How to Treat a Diabetic Wound
If you have a wound, no matter how small, take the following steps to avoid infection and promote healing:
1. Take care of the wound immediately. Even a minor wound can become infected if bacteria are allowed to build up after injury.
2. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound under running water to remove dirt. Don't use soap, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine, which can irritate the injury. Then apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, and cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Change the bandage daily, and use soap to clean the skin around the wound. Inspect your wound daily for any signs of infection.
3. See your doctor. Don't take any chances, have your doctor check minor skin problems or areas of redness before they turn into larger problems.
4. Keep pressure off the wound as it heals. For example, if your wound is on the bottom of the foot, a common place for diabetic people to develop calluses and blisters, stay off it as much as possible so it will have a better chance to heal.
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