It has been reported that more than 100 million adults in the country are living with diabetes or in their pre-diabetes stage. This number is certainly alarming. While diabetes can certainly be managed by a good lifestyle pattern in terms exercise, food habits and right medicine – one unavoidable damage that your body goes through as a long term diabetic is the ability of the body to respond to wound healing.
Two factors are largely responsible for reduced wound healing and they are explained in a brief manner:
Blood glucose levels
An elevated glucose level means that there is some damage done to the various parts of the system. The arteries are stiffened and blood vessels are narrowed which means that there is less circulation throughout the body. Less circulation means that there is less oxygenated blood flowing – which is crucial for wound healing. The red blood cells are no longer efficient enough to carry nutrients and the white blood cells also fight less efficiently.
Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a common issue faced among most of the diabetic. The increased blood sugar damages or destroyed nerves and they do not regenerate. This results in less bodily sensation, that is when there is an injury the individual does not feel the impact that they ought to. This means that they are vulnerable to wounds that are not spotted early on.
The foot is one limb that takes most of the damage when it comes to a diabetic. The precarious part is if the wound occurs right below the foot – it becomes all the more difficult to care for it. First, there is decreased blood circulation coupled with the fact that the foot has to carry the entire body weight resulting in further damage. A common problem faced in the foot is Diabetic Charcot Joint which is the weakening of the bones due to nerve damage. When this happens there are chances of wound all over the foot – ranging from one to many. So, how does one ensure to care for their wounds properly without causing further damage? Here are some tips:
- If the doctors have prescribed you a set of medicines (both internal and external), ensure to follow it religiously. More than half the risk is negated if the medications are followed as per the advice.
- Wash your foot with soap every day. A mild soap with minimal chemical content is recommended. If you have applied oil on your foot before taking a shower, ensure to soap it properly.
- After a wash, ensure to dry your foot properly. Inspect for any change that has happened in the wound, say – any discoloration, distinct odor or inflammation. Use a mild diabetic foot cream to keep your foot moisturized. Diabetics are prone to dry skin resulting in cracks in the foot – yet another wound to deal with.
- Wash your wound specifically with saline water using clean medical cotton. Now use a surgical pad (available over the counter) and apply the prescribed medicine (ointment or powder) on the surgical pad and place it over the wound. Ensure to use a surgical roll on top of the wound and a micro tape to seal the wound. A bandage can be used on top of it or you could use silicon pads.
- Use orthopedic shoes and appropriate insole so that you reduce chances of further infection.
