Diabetic Wound Infection Facts
Sufferers of diabetes are at special risk of developing a diabetic wound infection. These wounds are most common in the feet and are also called foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are open sores located on the soles of the feet. Approximately 15% of diabetes patients develop these sores and of these, 6% will need hospitalization to treat the resulting infections or complications. Diabetes patients using insulin are at higher risk for developing foot ulcers. In addition, smokers and alcohol users also have elevated risks. In many cases, for those patients who are hospitalized, the only effective remedy will be amputation of the foot.
Persons suffering from diabetes should be aware of the necessity to avoid infection of sores and ulcers. Prevention can be achieved by utilizing the following recommendations:
* The most important thing to do to prevent foot ulcers is proper management of blood sugar. Daily monitoring should occur to note when blood sugars are not at acceptable levels.
* Behavioral changes, such as cessation of smoking or alcohol use can lessen the chances of contracting foot ulcers.
* A patient’s feet should be inspected every day to notice new diabetic wounds. They should also be washed with water and soap.
* Patients should choose footwear that is relaxed and comfortable. Overly tight socks can constrict blood circulation and excessively tight shoes can put pressure on the feet and toes, causing unnecessary wounds.
* After washing or exercising, care should be taken to dry the feet thoroughly as the skin problems can occur from the moisture that stays between the toes.
* To prevent dried skin or cracking skin, a moisturizing foot cream should be applied frequently. Cracks in the skin can easily lead to diabetic wounds and then to infection.
* If the patient is a regular visitor to salons that offer nail service, extreme care should be taken to assess whether the salon is properly cleaned and disinfected. In addition, a patient with diabetes should ascertain whether nail files have been sterilized or if they are reused between salon visitors.
If sores or ulcers have been noticed, the next step for patients is to seek diabetic wound treatment. Immediately after discovering the wound, diabetes patients should apply a layer of antibiotic cream on the area and wrap the wound using light gauze and a bandage to facilitate diabetes wound healing. After the bandage is complete, the wound should be free of pressure and a local physician consulted as soon as possible to combat any possible complications to diabetes wound healing. The doctor should test a patient’s blood circulation to the feet (ankle brachial index) to determine if a surgeon’s intervention is necessary. In some cases, wound debridement may be needed to properly clean and disinfect the wound. Special devices have been developed to help patients offload the pressure from their feet. These boots can have a tremendous impact on a patient’s full recovery. Callouses should also be treated cautiously as they can quickly lead to ulcers and then to a diabetic wound infection.