A Variety of Shoes
4 Guidelines To Follow For Diabetic Wound Care
Tessa Jean
If you suffer from diabetes, it is important follow procedures that encourage your wounds to heal as quickly as possible. When left untreated, a seemingly small wound can easily turn into a diabetic ulcer. Diabetic ulcers easily become infected and may require hospitalization, amputation, or surgery to contain the infection.
The feet are a particularly susceptible spot for many diabetics due to poor blood flow, nerve damage, and the wear and tear of the activities of daily life on the feet. Follow these wound care guidelines to encourage the prompt healing.
1. Check Your Body Daily for Wounds
It is vital to detect any wounds as soon as possible so that you can treat them properly. Take a few minutes and examine your body each day for a new wound, including scratches, blisters, bug bites, and sores. Make sure to include parts of the body that you don't typically look at in the course of the day, such as the bottom of the feet, the back, the buttocks, the back of the neck, and under the arms.
2. Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Under Control
Ideally, you should keep your blood sugar levels as stable as possible all the time. However, when you have an open wound, it is extremely important to take steps to stabilize your sugar levels. Check your numbers multiple times throughout the day and after meals.
Consider avoiding food items that you know cause wild fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. If you smoke, take steps to quit. Even occasional smoking delays the healing of your wounds by diverting essential blood, oxygen, and nutrients away from the wound site.
3. See a Doctor Sooner Rather Than Later
You don't have to see a doctor for every single scratch or bump, but if you notice the wound does not look noticeably better after a couple days, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can perform a procedure known as debridement that removes dead tissue around the wound. Debridement encourages the wound to heal, and it permits your doctor to better examine the extent of the wound. Other treatments may include antibiotics and medications to promote better blood flow throughout the body.
4. Minimize Pressure to the Affected Area
Avoid putting pressure on the wound until it heals. Putting pressure on the wound can delay the healing process and even make the wound worse. If the wound is on your foot, your doctor can prescribe a total contact cast that helps you keep pressure off the affected area and redistributes your weight . You might need to use a walking aid or even stay off your feet for a few days.
Share
Growing up, I was never very interested in buying a large quantity of shoes to pair with my outfits. I rarely owned more than five or six pairs of shoes at any given time. I usually wore either my favorite pair of sneakers, boots, flats, or heels everywhere I went. When I married my amazing husband ten years ago, my shoe closet expanded. My generous spouse encouraged me to buy some several pairs of cute shoes to match my clothing. After shopping for new shoes, I was hooked. Now, I rarely wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Thankfully, I’ve learned that wearing a different type of shoe each day is good for my foot health. On this blog, you will discover the most important benefits of wearing a different kind of shoe every day of the week.