Wound Care: A Crucial Part of Diabetes Treatment

Wound Care: A Crucial Part of Diabetes Treatment

While most of us can safely ignore minor cuts or scrapes, those with diabetes should seek proper treatment for even minor wounds. Complications from diabetes that can make it harder for wounds to heal include:

1) Lowered immunity. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. When your immune system is weak, even minor wounds can become infected.

2) Narrow arteries. Poor circulation from narrowed arteries limits the blood flow needed to promote healing and avoid infection, particularly to the feet.

3) Nerve damage. High blood sugar can also damage the nerves in your feet, resulting in decreased sensation. A diabetic with nerve damage may not feel a small injury like a splinter, blister, cut or callus. This lack of awareness can put him or her at risk of a small wound ulcerating or infecting.

4) Diabetes-related eye disease. The loss of vision that can also occur in diabetes may make wounds hard to detect until they become serious.

If you're diabetic, or providing diabetes treatment for someone, it's crucial that you know how to treat minor wounds. Clean the wound immediately under cool running water. Avoid commonly-used but unnecessary antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide or iodine, which can irritate the injured area. Simply clean the wound with a gentle soap, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a sterile gauze bandage. Change the bandage daily and watch carefully for signs of infection, including swelling, redness, increased tenderness or warmth or green or yellow fluid oozing from the injured area.

Foot care is an important part of treatment for diabetes. Diabetics are prone to dry skin, calluses and poor circulation. These lead to an increased risk of open sores, or ulcers, which can become infected. An ulcer that becomes infected can cause damage to tissue and even bone. If the infection can't be controlled, it can turn into gangrene, which requires drastic measures such as amputation. A diabetic who loses a leg has a 50% chance of having to have his or her other leg amputated within three years. If you're diabetic, it's important to inspect your feet daily for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Clean and moisturize your feet every day, and choose your socks and shoes with care to avoid blisters and calluses.

Proper diabetes treatment is crucial to preventing foot and other wounds. Eat properly, limit your alcohol intake, exercise, maintain a healthy weight, don't smoke, try to avoid stress, and get regular medical check-ups. Monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and take your diabetes medication just as your doctor prescribes. Diabetes can be controlled, and diabetics who follow these guidelines can live an active, healthy life.

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