Wound Care

Why is wound care important?

If you break the skin on any part of your body, it provides an entry point for infection. For most people, a simple scratch or cut doesn’t represent a major problem providing the wound is kept clean, but wounds on the feet are a more serious concern for people with a circulatory impairment or loss of feeling in their feet.

People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to infection in their feet, so if you have diabetes, it’s vitally important that you locate and treat any wounds. Untreated wounds can lead to infections and ulceration that may potentially lead to the loss of the foot.

Why does having diabetes affect my feet?

There are two problems that people with diabetes frequently develop in their feet:

Diabetic neuropathy

When you have diabetic neuropathy, the nerves in your feet may not feel pain, pressure or temperature, which means you might not realize you have a wound. If you don’t know you’re injured, the wound may not receive the attention it needs, and infection can set in.

Impaired circulation

Diabetes can also cause circulation problems, so the blood flow to your feet may be compromised. Poor circulation makes it harder for your body to heal wounds, leaving more opportunity for infection to set in, and reducing your body’s ability to heal wounds effectively. Blood flow is crucial for any success to heal a wound or ulcer.

How should I take care of my feet if I have diabetes?

• Keep your feet clean
• Check your feet every day
• Where good supportive shoe gear at all times that are well-fitting
• Do not walk barefoot
• Wear white cotton socks
• Monitor blood sugar as instructed

Most importantly, if you have diabetes, you should make regular visits to Kalmar Family Podiatry for a foot health check and toenail trim. Trying to trim your own toenails can result in injuries or the development of ingrown toenails, so it’s best to see a foot care specialist.

If you do have a wound or ulcer on your foot, always get professional attention to reduce the risk of infection. Your podiatrist can clean the wound properly, and also carry out any treatments to aid healing, such as debriding an ulcer. The team at Kalmar Family Podiatry will order the correct wound care dressings for your unique diabetic foot ulcer and provide appropriate offloading techniques to reduce excess pressure.

If you have diabetes, make sure you see your podiatrist at Kalmar Family Podiatry regularly. Call the office today to book an appointment, or use the online booking tool.