Are You Paying Attention to Your Ulcer?
What is one of the worst things to do with a diabetic foot ulcer? Leave it alone. That’s right – a cut or wound on your foot requires your undivided addition. Most importantly, it requires a call and a visit to your podiatrist. For patients with diabetes, an ulcer is a common complication. It can become dangerous when the cut is slow to heal and becomes infected. Severe consequences can lead to limb loss or even death.
The doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center encourage their patients to check their feet often and check in with doctors regularly. Daily foot checks allow patients to spot cuts early and keep an eye on them. Regular visits help to keep an open line of communication between patients and doctors.
Here are three tips for treating ulcers:
Don’t do it alone
If you have diabetes, we recommend you have a care team, too. Your team can include your primary doctor, a podiatrist, and even an eye specialist. If you have a wound on your foot, you know who to call: our team. We specialize in treating conditions for the feet and ankles, and this condition is among them.
Commit to keeping it clean
One of the best ways to avoid infection is to keep your cut clean and dry. Take time each day to clean the area gently and keep it dry. Change your bandages often, too. If you notice that regular maintenance isn’t improving the area, give us a call. Watch for redness, swelling, and discharge, which can be signs of infection.
Reduce the pressure
Please don’t skip wearing shoes while caring for an ulcer. Walking barefoot is never a good idea for patients with diabetes, but it is even worse while managing a cut. Keep in mind that you want to reduce the amount of pressure on your wound. If you need crutches, talk to your doctor. Orthotics can help, too.
If you remember one piece of advice from this blog, please know that your podiatrist wants to know about your foot ulcer. We’re here to help you keep it clean and reduce your discomfort.
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.