Diabetic Wound Care

When it comes to diabetic wound care, a skilled foot care professional plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal healing and preventing complications. Let us provide you with a detailed description:

1. Understanding Diabetic Foot Ulcers:

   • A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15% of patients with diabetes.

   • These ulcers are commonly located on the bottom of the foot.

   • Unfortunately, if left untreated, they can lead to serious consequences, including infection and even amputation.

2. Risk Factors and Causes:

   • Anyone with diabetes is at risk of developing foot ulcers.

   • Certain populations, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and older men, are more susceptible.

   • Factors contributing to ulcers include:

     • Neuropathy: Reduced ability to feel pain due to nerve damage.

     • Poor circulation.

     • Foot deformities.

     • Friction, pressure, and trauma.

     • Duration of diabetes.

3. Symptoms:

   • Pain is not a common symptom because many people with neuropathy have lost the ability to feel pain.

   • Look out for:

     • Drainage on socks.

     • Redness and swelling around the ulcer.

     • Odor if the ulcer has progressed significantly.

4. When to Seek Foot Care:

   • Immediate medical attention is crucial once an ulcer is noticed.

   • Goals:

     • Reduce infection risk.

     • Improve function and quality of life.

     • Minimize health-care costs.

5. Treatment Approach:

   • Prevention of infection.

   • Off-loading: Taking pressure off the affected area.

   • Debridement: Removing dead skin and tissue.

   • Medication or dressings applied to the ulcer.

   • Managing blood glucose and other health issues.

6. Gold Standard of Care:

   • Regular visits from Gentle Foot and Wound Care ensure:

     • Lowering blood sugar.

     • Appropriate wound debridement.

     • Infection treatment.

     • Reducing friction and pressure.

     • Restoring adequate blood flow.

Remember, seeking professional care from a foot care professional is essential for successful diabetic wound healing and overall foot health