Reviewed by Dr. Clement J. Cheng
Two million people worldwide suffer from diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic foot amputations in the industrialized world. Roughly, 25 percent of hospitalized diabetics receive treatment for their feet.
Prevention is the best way to avoid dealing with diabetic foot ulcers. Proper foot care and attention to cuts, abrasions and blisters as they arise can prevent ulcers from forming.
The following steps can help to prevent diabetic foot ulcers:
- See your doctor often. It is important to keep your diabetes under control, and to monitor the progression of your disease.
- Check your feet every day, and have your doctor check your feet when you see him. Treat any scrapes, cuts, blisters, or abrasions immediately. Wash with soap and water and don’t break the blisters. Put antibiotic cream on the wounds several times a day and see your doctor if it does not heal.
- Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Make sure your shoes and socks fit appropriatly.
- Treat calluses and corns properly.
- Cut toenails straight across the toe.
- Treat athlete’s foot.
- Avoid heating pads and hot-water soaks.
- Improve circulation to your feet through regular exercise.
Untreated, a diabetic foot ulcer can lead to gangrene, amputation, and even death. Therefore, you must treat foot ulcers immediately.
Treating a diabetic foot ulcer involves debridement of the infected tissue, and paring down the non-vital thickened skin in the wound bed. If the ulcer is infected, your doctor may recommend antibiotics.
Recent advances in wound care have moved treatment toward active care, involving use of tissue engineering, growth factors and antimicrobials. Diabetic foot ulcers are effectively treated by dermal replacement implantation.
American Society of Family Physicians
For more information on insulin delivery click here
