5 Tips For Diabetic Wound Care

Diabetes frequently causes diabetic foot ulcers, which are non-healing wounds that appear on the bottom or side of the foot. These are dangerous sores that, if untreated, might infect and necessitate amputation. These serious wounds are preventable and treatable. The first step is to regularly check the health of your feet, noting any indications of redness, inflammation, edema, and sensitivity. Fortunately, Queens Multi-specialty group practice offers wound care treatment if you have a slow-healing or non-healing wound.

If you have a slow-healing wound, there are certain diabetic wound care recommendations to keep in mind as you start your road to recovery. These include;

1.   Develop a care strategy with your doctor

Your doctor may suggest various treatment options depending on the wound size. Some examples are supportive footwear to relieve pressure at the wound site, regular dressing changes to keep the area sanitary, planned visits to remove any dead tissue, and medications if an underlying infection is present.

2.   Keep the wound covered and moist

Most people believe “airing out” a wound may hasten to heal. However, the opposite is true;  your wound will heal more quickly if there is a wet layer beneath a covered bandage. The sole exception is when a wound is abnormally draining internally, which requires a more absorbent dressing.

Apply a topical gel or antibiotic ointment to the wound once per day as directed by your doctor for optimal wound care. Clean the wound with saline. Apply a fresh gauze dressing to the wound after each application.

3.   Take care of your overall health

It is crucial to take the required actions to improve your general health. For instance, people with diabetes must closely monitor their blood glucose levels and nutritional health. This is still crucial even if they are not experiencing lower extremity wounds. However, persons who have foot ulcers should pay special attention to these levels since they might influence the healing process.

The American Diabetes Association emphasizes the advantages of keeping your diabetes under “tight control,” which means monitoring your blood sugar levels more regularly and adjusting your insulin dosage and schedule.

4.   Look for regression warning signs

Regularly check your progress to spot any signs that your condition is deteriorating. Check whether your foot is red or inflamed, sensitive to touch, or weak to pressure, as indicated above. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you observe that your condition is not getting better and present them with any new information. 

5.   Take the pressure off the area

A wound won’t heal fast and can even worsen if it keeps being damaged or reopened. So refrain from applying pressure, stress, or weight on open wounds.

This might be challenging for certain wounds, like those on your foot. If you require assistance, see your doctor about how to keep moving while protecting your wounds. Options include bespoke foot cushioning and special footwear.

Schedule an appointment to see a doctor if you have wounds that are infected, healing slowly, or are otherwise more serious so you can find out what the best wound care is for you. To protect the area and speed up healing, your doctor may advise using a variety of diabetic wound care dressings.

Call New York Medical and Vascular Care to learn more about diabetic wound care.