A Guide to Diabetic Foot Wound Healing

Diabetic foot wounds require special attention and care due to the potential complications associated with diabetes. People with diabetes often develop foot wounds that are difficult to heal because the condition affects blood circulation and nerve function in your feet. Hence, adopting effective treatments to prevent long-term infections and amputation is crucial.

Let’s discuss how to prevent diabetic foot wounds and treatments to promote a faster and safer recovery.

Key Facts

• Quickly treat any foot cut or wound to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Doctors assess wounds, check for infections, and remove dead tissue regularly.
• Use specialized dressings like enzyme ointments, collagen, and biological dressings to aid healing.
• Wear supportive shoes, keep feet clean, manage blood sugar, exercise, avoid walking barefoot, and inspect feet every day.

How Do You Treat a Cut On a Diabetic Foot?

As we mentioned before, broken skin on the foot is more likely to become infected because of diabetes. This means that treatment for diabetic cuts or wounds should be almost immediate. So, what are some treatments for a cut on a diabetic foot?

“When you come into the office with a diabetic foot ulcer, I will need to assess it in a number of ways,” said Dr. Andrew Schneider. “I will measure the dimensions of the wound to serve as a reference to assess healing. I will look at the depth of the wound to ensure it is not approaching the underlying bone. I will also assess if your blood flow is good enough and whether or not the wound is infected.”

“My first priority is to address any infection. It is essential to ensure that any infection is treated; otherwise, it will be an impediment to healing the foot ulcer,” continued Dr. Schneider. “I will then perform a debridement of the wound. That’s a procedure that is done in the office where I remove any devitalized tissue that will get in the way of the wound healing. This is an important procedure that will be repeated regularly. I usually debride the wound at least every two weeks. It’s then time to determine what is the best wound dressing to get your wound healed as quickly as possible.”

There are many ways to dress a diabetic wound to speed up the healing process, from using special ointments to opting for alginates to absorb any fluid from the wound.

“When choosing the best wound dressing for a diabetic, there is no shortage of choices. I can use an ointment that uses an enzyme to keep the unhealthy tissue away from the wound. Another ointment has growth factors in it to promote healing,” says Dr. Schneider. “There are wound dressings that are composed of collagen, which also promotes healing. Other dressings are composed of alginates or foams to absorb any drainage coming from the wound. There are also specialty dressings; these are skin graft types of dressings that serve as a biological dressing for the wound. Others use donated amniotic membranes to promote healing. Lately, I have been using a technology called Actigraft, where we draw your own blood in the office and place it into a mold that contains clotting factors. It clots and creates a biological dressing using your blood and growth factors. The results have been phenomenal.”

Diabetic foot ulcers can be caused by pressure on the feet, which the patient may overlook due to nerve damage and lack of feeling in the feet. Hence, alleviating pressure entirely or partially from the weight-bearing section of the foot and using mechanical support to rest the wounded area can contribute to the healing process.

It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing a diabetic foot wound. Each solution highlighted above is tailored to an individual circumstance or wound property. Since diabetic foot ulcers are potentially life-threatening, don’t ignore any minor cut or sore on your foot if you have diabetes. Once you notice any ulcer, visit your doctor to determine the ideal treatment option.

What Happens If a Diabetic Gets an Untreated Cut On Their Foot?

Wounds are a significant worry, especially for people with diabetes. They can quickly become infected or develop into more severe problems if they aren’t monitored closely.

The most serious risk is amputation. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, people with diabetes are 15 times more likely to have a part of their foot amputated because of wounds or ulcers.

So it’s important to check and care for any wounds regularly, and to get help quickly if you notice something wrong. These simple habits substantially reduce the risk.

How To Prevent Cuts and Sores?

The best method to cure a diabetic foot ulcer is to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

People with diabetes who have the following are at higher risk of developing wounds, sores, and ulcers on their feet:

• High blood sugar levels
• Neuropathy
• Poor blood circulation
• Infections
• Poorly fitting footwear
• Foot abnormalities

Here are some ways you can avoid getting cuts or sores on your feet:

Invest in Appropriate Shoes and Other Footwear

Wear well-fitting, supportive, and breathable shoes, like sneakers for diabetics, with good built-in arch support and flexible rubber soles that grip the floor. Avoid heels that make walking difficult or hurt your feet.

Use special diabetes footwear that reduces the risk of foot ulcers and other complications, particularly if you have high arches, toe deformities such as hammertoes, or thinning of the fat pad on the sole of the foot.

Wear well-fitting cotton diabetic socks, like nano socks, whenever you are out. These protect against bites and scrapes. Or wear sandals for diabetics when you can, to let the skin on your feet and toes breathe.

Practice Good Hygiene

To avoid fungal infections and other skin problems, practice good hygiene by washing your feet daily and drying them thoroughly — including between the toes — after bathing or swimming.

Regularly trim your toenails straight across to prevent them curling back into the skin, which could become infected if left untreated. A nail file can smooth the edges afterwards. Don’t dig under or around your nails with sharp implements, and if your nails are thick, difficult to cut, or already ingrown, ask a podiatrist to do it rather than attempting it yourself.

Manage Your Blood Sugar Levels

Monitor your blood sugar levels daily with a glucose meter. If your readings are consistently high or low, speak to your healthcare provider about adjusting your diet or medication — well-controlled blood sugar helps wounds heal and makes them less likely in the first place.

Engage in Regular Exercise

Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, blood circulation, and diabetes management. This helps prevent complications like foot ulcers and amputation.

Opt for exercises that match your fitness level and consider low-impact options such as walking or swimming, which provide excellent cardiovascular benefits without putting excessive strain on your body.

Avoid Barefoot Walking

Walking barefoot around the house, including in the bathroom, is not recommended. Wearing something on your feet means you don’t cut yourself on anything sharp lying around loose.

Avoid standing for long periods, especially if your job requires it. Use a footrest when sitting down at work or home so that you don’t have excess pressure on the soles of your feet for prolonged periods.

Check Your Feet Daily

Check your feet daily for any signs of discoloration, swelling, or redness, particularly around the toes and the soles. Use a mirror or ask someone to help if you can’t see the underside easily. If anything looks abnormal, seek medical advice promptly.

Don’t Smoke

People with diabetes often develop wound-prone skin. For people with diabetes, smoking reduces the chance of a wound healing and increases the risk of wound infection. Infected wounds can raise blood sugar levels, which makes diabetes and the wound itself harder to manage.

Basic Steps for Treating a Foot Wound at Home

For a minor cut, these are the basic steps — but tell your doctor about any foot wound, however small it looks:

• Wash your hands before touching or cleaning the cut, using soap and warm water or an antiseptic cleaner.
• Clean the foot thoroughly to avoid infection, using mild soap and water.
• Dry the affected area gently but completely with a clean towel. Be careful not to pull at the skin around the wound.
• Cover the open wound with a dry, non-stick dressing, sterile gauze, and tape or an adhesive strip.
• Keep your blood glucose levels under control, which helps you heal faster and prevents infections.
• Check your wound daily, clean it, and replace the dressing.

Which Ointment Is Best for a Diabetic Wound?

The priority when treating diabetic wounds is preventing infection. For a closed incision or wound, cover the entire skin surface with a dry, non-stick dressing and secure it with adhesive tape.

For an open wound or ulcer, cleanse gently with soap and water and rinse to maintain a clean environment. Note that current wound-care guidance advises against hydrogen peroxide on open wounds, as it can damage the tissue that is trying to heal — check with your doctor or wound clinic about what to use. Wet dressings, including sterile gauze, may be recommended after cleaning so that the material can absorb fluid from the surrounding area.

Newer products, such as hydrocolloid dressings, create a moist healing environment by absorbing wound fluid while protecting the area from dirt and other external contaminants. These are available over the counter at pharmacies.

Any foot wound that is not clearly improving within a week or two — or that shows signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, odor, or discharge — needs to be seen by a doctor. Don’t wait for it to heal on its own. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or refer you to a wound clinic.

Here is a list of supplies that are useful when caring for a wound at home:

• Mild antibacterial soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Non-adherent dressings (for example Adaptic, Mefix)
• Dry non-stick dressings
• Cotton balls or cotton swabs
• Gauze pads: regular and compression
• Gauze roll bandages and tubular gauze
• Tape (paper tape, transparent adhesive film)
• Scissors

Conclusion

Healing diabetic foot wounds involves proper wound care, effective products, and professional medical guidance. By adopting these recommendations, individuals with diabetes can enhance their chances of a successful and speedy recovery and minimize the risk of complications associated with foot wounds. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice tailored to your condition.