If you suffer from diabetes, you may be familiar with the increased risk of developing poorly healing wounds on your feet. Small cuts, sores, or scrapes can go unnoticed due to neuropathy or nerve damage, and heal slowly because of poor circulation. These issues can make wounds grow larger and become infected, turning into diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). There are various classification systems for describing the general characteristics of these wounds. Doctors who use the Wagner system classify DFUs by their severity, in a graded system ranging from 0 to 5. A Grade 0 ulcer means that the skin is intact. Grade 1 signifies a superficial ulcer on the outer layers of skin. Grade 2 is a deep ulcer. Grade 3 is an ulcer with bone involvement. Grade 4 means that there is gangrene or dead tissue in the front of the foot, while Grade 5 means that the gangrene has spread to the entire foot. If you notice any wounds on your feet, please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can treat wounds and help you manage your condition.
Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Dr. Rouder from S.I. Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Wound Care?
Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic.
What Is the Importance of Wound Care?
While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
How to Care for Wounds
The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Staten Island, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
