A Variety of Shoes

Caring For Your Diabetic Foot Wounds: Care And Prevention Tips

3 May 2018

Tessa Jean

If you have diabetes, you may have been warned about wounds and the importance of dealing with them properly. A diabetic wound is different than a healthy wound. Your wounds may not heal as well or as quickly as a healthy individual with a wound. If you have a foot wound with diabetes and it gets infected, the repercussions are much more serious as you could wind up with an infection so severe that you could lose your foot. Read on for tips to care for your foot wounds, as well as prevention tips.

Wound Care Tips

If you happen to have a wound on your foot or close to your foot (such as your ankle), it's important to treat the wound right away. Clean the wound with mild soap and water to get rid of any bacteria. Then dry the wound and surrounding area carefully and thoroughly. Add a small amount of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin and then cover the wound with a bandage or with gauze. 

Be sure to follow up with your podiatrist any time you have a wound on your feet or lower legs. These may seem like minimal wounds, but they could get much worse if they aren't healing properly. 

Wound Prevention Tips

Wounds to the feet can happen to anyone, but with a person that has diabetes, these wounds need to be prevented as much as possible. Follow the tips below to help you prevent wounds to your feet.

• Wear Closed-Toe Shoes. Flip flops or open-toed shoes can carry bacteria and leave your feet open to the elements. Open-toe shoes also offer no protection to your toes or the rest of your feet, so stubbing your toes can happen easily. Avoid open-toed shoes whenever you can.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes. Wearing comfortable shoes can also prevent wounds. Shoes that are too large or too small can cause rubbing and sores such as blisters on your feet.
• Keep Your Feet Dry. Be sure to keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet thoroughly when you bathe and pat your feet dry afterward. Failing to keep your feet clean and dry may result in athlete's foot or some other type of fungus that can lead to an infection.
• Clip Nails Properly. Clip your nails straight across and avoid clipping them at an angle. Clipping at an angle may cause ingrown toenails or infections to occur. If you aren't able to take care of your nails, be sure to get to the podiatrist - not a nail salon, where you could get an infection from public washtubs - to have your nails clipped and cared for.

If you are diabetic, caring for your feet is imperative, and prevention is key. Talk to your podiatrist about other tips to care for your feet and your diabetic wounds.

Share

Search