People who live with diabetes know that taking care of open wounds usually involves taking extra precautions. Since the condition can interfere with the normal healing process, it is important to be mindful of the additional risk for infection, as well as to take steps to allow for extra healing time.
One of the danger spots for diabetics is the area of the feet and lower legs. An especially common problem is the development of a foot ulcer. A foot wound of this type can quickly become infected if care is not taken to keep the area clean, medicated, and dressed at all times. Several different methods for diabetic wound care are necessary in order to prevent the wound from causing additional complications.
With a foot ulcer, the first step is to address the possibility of infection. Not every foot ulcer will become infected. Still, it is important to have the wound looked at by a professional. If an infection is detected, antibiotics will help to get rid of the infection and make the healing process a little easier.
Antibiotics alone are not usually enough to deal with this type of problem. Different methods for diabetic wound care, such as keeping the ulcer covered with medicated bandages, periodically removing dead skin when the bandages are changed, and keeping pressure off the wound will all help to facilitate the healing process. During this time, it is important to be especially mindful of the diet, and avoid any foods that tend to cause blood sugar spikes.
Another of the different methods for diabetic wound care involves the use of surgery. While many wounds can be treated without the use of invasive methods, there are situations where the wound will not heal without taking this course of action. Often, the surgery will involve removing scar tissue or other types of deformities on the skin that are preventing the wound from closing properly. Even after surgery, it is important to remember that the healing process may take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the location and nature of the wound.
Diabetics know that it is important to keep a basic first aid kit at home that contains specific items which make it possible to employ different methods for diabetic wound care. The kit should include a moisturizer to help prevent skin from drying out, hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds, some type of antifungal cream for use on dressings, and plenty of gauze pads and surgical tape for preparing fresh bandages daily. Other items may be added to the basic kit, depending on the recommendations of the family doctor or podiatrist.
