Diabetes and feet have a tumultuous relationship, so diabetic foot care has many significant components. Perhaps the most important of all, though, is effective care for foot wounds. An otherwise healthy individual might not need to worry a lot about a minor injury like a small cut or scrape, but even small issues can escalate into a major medical situation for diabetic individuals.

It is important to all of us here at A Step Up Podiatry that our patients have the ability to stay safe and healthy, and this means recognizing diabetic wounds and getting early treatment for them.

Symptoms of Diabetic Wounds

For a majority of individuals who live with diabetes, neuropathy is also part of the picture. Damaged nerves can be unable to transmit physical sensations back to the brain, which means that an individual who has this condition cannot always rely on pain to be the primary symptom when an issue is present.

Being unable to feel pain makes a daily foot inspection quite important. The best time to do this is before going to bed at night. This helps in making it a routine that you follow every day. When inspecting your feet, go over each one carefully and be sure to include the areas between the toes. If it is difficult to see the bottom of your feet, enlist the help of a loved one or use a mirror.

Warning signs you are looking for during the inspection include signs of infection (drainage, dead tissue, discharge, and foul odor) and inflammation (redness, swelling). In addition, any texture, growth, color, or temperature that is out of the ordinary is a warning flag and should be investigated by our foot specialists.

Wound Care Treatment

Prompt care for wounds is essential when neuropathy is present. This means taking the time to properly address issues when they arise. In the case of a cut, scrape, or burst blister, this entails rinsing the affected area under running water to remove any dirt particles. It might seem like a good idea, but do not attempt to treat the area with hydrogen peroxide, soap, or iodine, as these substances can lead to irritation. Instead, finish rinsing the wound and then apply an antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage over it.

Every day, replace the bandage with a sterile, fresh one and clean the area around the wound—but not the wound itself—with warm water and mild soap on the unaffected skin. While changing the dressing, inspect the entire area for any symptoms indicating an infection.

Even in cases of minor cuts or scrapes, schedule the earliest possible appointment with any of our three offices. It is much better to seek help at this point than wait for the problem to escalate in severity.

In the event that you notice a foot ulcer during your daily foot inspection, you need immediate medical care and treatment. This is necessary for reducing the risk of infection and a potential amputation.

Diabetic Ulcer Prevention

The best form of diabetic wound care is to prevent one from happening in the first place. This means have a prevention plan in place. The process for creating one begins here at our Manalapan, NJ foot doctor office. We will assess your current condition and determine your particular risk factors for developing foot ulcers. From that point, we can create a plan centered on correcting any issues to keep you safe.

Smoking, drinking alcohol, and having high cholesterol and glucose levels are all issues that are important to manage if you want to reduce the risk of a diabetic wound. Protecting your feet with the right shoes and socks is also a wise choice for preventing an issue from developing. Our staff will be happy to help you with choosing diabetic footwear.

Take a moment before putting on your footwear and check the insides to make sure there isn’t anything inside that could potentially harm your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care at A Step Up Podiatry, LLC

For additional information or to schedule your appointment with A Step Up Podiatry, LLC, contact us today. Reach our Manalapan, NJ office by calling (732) 446-7136 or schedule your appointment online today.