Diabetic Wound Care: Insights, Caution And Cure
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that causes the blood glucose concentration to be higher than average. Having diabetes can be a difficulty in the process of wound healing since the disease is related to certain complications such as diabetic Angiopathy (damage to the blood vessels) or diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves). Either of these two conditions increases the likelihood of having infections and, in turn, wound care treatment is painful.
So, if you have diabetes, the first step you should take to cure a wound is to keep blood sugar levels in an adequate range. Next, the primary objective you must pursue is for the injury to heal as soon as possible with the help of diabetic wound care specialist. In this way, you will be able to avoid the infection.
According to the wound care specialists, if you have a wound (blister, cut or scratch), it is recommended that you follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before performing the wound healing (this recommendation is significant so as not to favor the infection).
- Wash the wound properly with soap and water.
- Perform a proper drying of the area with sterile cotton gauze.
- Apply a mild antiseptic and have no pigmentation (pigmented as iodine can further resect the wound; however, chlorhexidine is an antiseptic substance with effective bactericidal and fungicidal action).
- Cover and protect the wound with gauze and cover it with a dressing.
- Go to your health center to follow up on the treatment.
After the evaluation of a diabetic wound care specialist, it is vital that you follow these essential tips for taking care of this wound:
- Control your blood sugar values.
- Keep the ulcer clean and protected with a bandage.
- Clean the wound daily and change the dressings you are using.
- If the injury has occurred on the feet, relieve the pressure immediately.
- Visit a specialist to evaluate the wound with some frequency.
- By following these tips and, above all, maintaining adequate blood glucose levels, you will achieve a faster healing process and avoid the appearance of new ulcers.
How to cure a Diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot is a chronic degenerative complication that affects both patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 patients. In the USA, there are about 4.5 million people with diabetes. It is expected that this high figure will duple by 2025. One of the complications of diabetes is a diabetic foot, a chronic degenerative complication that affects both patients with type diabetes 1, as in type 2 patients.
It occurs mainly due to two causes: insufficient blood supply at the level of small blood vessels (peripheral vascular disease), and lack of sensitivity in the feet (diabetic neuropathy). The lack of irrigation means that when small ulcers or sores occur in the foot, they cannot be easily cured. In this way, a slight alteration in the foot can become gangrene (with the possibility of amputation). The lack of sensitivity leads to no pain or discomfort when there is a cut or injury, so the injury and possible infection are getting worse.
Symptoms of the diabetic foot:
The most frequent warning symptoms of diabetic foot are a loss of sensation in the area, the appearance of small ulcers and itching of the toes. Any alteration at the level of the foot should be consulted quickly with the diabetic wound care specialist. The specialist gives some simple tips for the care and hygiene of the feet for the diabetic patient, which are very useful in the prevention of foot wounds and ulcers.
7 self-preventive care tips for diabetic patients:
- Wash your feet daily with warm water and neutral soap, paying particular attention to drying them, especially between your fingers.
- Emphasize the hydration of the feet, but not in the interdigital spaces where maceration could occur. Avoid excessive sweating with suitable products.
- Cut the nails weekly with great care. Try doing it leaving the edge straight and aligned with the top of the finger. If there is any problem related to the nails, it is recommended to consult the podiatrist.
- Check the feet daily. Before any wound, wash with soap and water and perform an antiseptic treatment. According to the evolution of the lesion, medical consultation is advised.
- Use socks and stockings that promote circulation, natural and breathable fibers.
- Choose wide, comfortable footwear that adapts to the shape of the foot. If you practice sports, you should also be suitable footwear. It is never recommended to walk barefoot (or at home) to prevent injuries.
- Consult any deformity of the foot (hammertoes, claw, inadequate plantar support, bunions, athlete’s foot, etc.) with diabetic wound care specialist.