Diabetes and Wound Care - How to Treat Wound Ulcers and Foot Sores in Diabetic Patients - Hansaplast India

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Diabetes and Wound Care How to Treat Wound
Ulcers and Foot Sores in Diabetic Patients

• How wound healing works in diabetics
• Our skin acts as a barrier between outside germs
  and bacteria. When an abrasion forms on the skin,
  the barrier is broken and the wound is left
  exposed. If harmful bacteria enters the wound at
  this stage, it has the potential to cause an
  infection and further complications. In healthy
  bodies, white blood cells rush to the wound site
  to destroy bacteria and protect the body from
  infection. Only after this stage does the tissue
  regrowth stage begin and the wound gets patched
  up.
• In diabetics, the body is unable to produce or
  use a hormone called insulin. Because of this,
  the blood sugar level increases which has
  adverse effects on wound healing. When blood
  sugar levels rise, they impair the functioning of
  white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs are imperative
  for the functioning of the immune system, and
  without them the body is unable to fight off
  infection efficiently.
• If diabetes is not kept under control, it affects
  blood circulation as well. Slower blood
  circulation hampers the healing process of the
  wound as the nutrient supply to the wound site
  slows down. Oxygenation of the wound site is
  also vital in the healing process, and slower
  blood circulation means slower oxygenation.
  Another risk factor is that diabetes can cause
  neuropathy (nerve damage) which is the numbing of
  sensation in parts of the body. Due to this, the
  diabetic patient might not realize that they have
  sustained an injury as they will not feel it.
• Common diabetic wounds
• Wounds on the feet pose the biggest risk when it
  comes to diabetic wounds. This is because
  neuropathy affects the feet first and its
  highly possible that the patient does not notice
  a wound forming due to the loss of feeling.
• Foot Ulcers
• 1. Foot ulcers are open wounds or sores that form
  on the feet. They are the most common and most
  high- risk wounds for diabetics. In severe
  cases, the diabetic wound infection takes over
  the entire foot, and amputation may be required.
  Since diabetics suffer from neuropathy, pain is
  not the first symptom that crops up when they get
  a foot ulcer. Because of this, they may not
  notice it until the wound has deteriorated and
  become infected. Here are some of the signs that
  you will notice if your foot ulcer has become
  infected
• Excessive pus and fluid discharge from the wound
• Foot wound not healing as fast as usual

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• If you happen to display any of these signs,
  consult a doctor immediately. Your doctor will
  assess the severity of the wound and recommend a
  treatment plan accordingly. Usually, treating a
  diabetic wound ulcer includes the following
  steps
• Off-loading If weight or pressure is applied to
  the ulcer it will make it worse and expand the
  wound. This is why your doctor will advise you
  to stay off your feet as much as possible. You
  can wear foot braces, casts, compression wraps
  or special shoes to protect your ulcer.
• Debridement Debridement is the process of
  removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue from
  the wound. This helps to curb the infection by
  stopping it from spreading to healthy tissue.
• Medication Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics
  or other medication to fight off infection and
  heal the wound quicker. Make sure to follow your
  prescription diligently to prevent the situation
  from getting worse.
• In the case of severe infections, if there is no
  other option available, amputation may be
  required. The extent of amputation depends on
  the severity of the wound and the progression of
  the infection. Remember, diabetic foot wounds
  are easily treatable in the early stages. Staying
  vigilant and on top of your health can help avert
  adversities.
• Foot Corns
• 1.Foot corns are hardened layers of skin that
  form due to prolonged friction or pressure.
  Anybody can get a foot corn, but it is
  particularly risky for diabetic patients. This is
  because the usual treatments for foot corns
  cannot be used by a diabetic patient. Usually,
  foot corns are treated by either removing them
  with a pumice stone or a foot file, this is
  harmful for the following reasons
• Pumice stones Pumice stones have an abrasive
  surface used to file off dead skin. Since they
  are not sterile, it could be an entryway for
  infection to enter your body. Furthermore,
  diabetic patients who suffer from neuropathy
  might scrape off excess skin without realizing
  it, which could lead to a foot ulcer.
• Foot files Foot files are another harsh device
  used to scrape away corns and callouses. They are
  risky for the same reasons as a pumice stone,
  but the added risk factor is that foot files are
  usually made of some kind of metal. If a rusted
  part of a foot file scrapes against your skin, it
  provides a direct entryway for bacteria to
  inhibit the cut and spread infection.
• Keeping all of these factors in mind can help you
  to correctly treat your diabetic wounds and
  ulcers and stay free from infection. Read More
  Here How To Treat a Foot Corn Effectively