Why Wound Care For The Average Person Is Different From Wound Care For Diabetics
Not all wound care is the same for everyone. In fact, treating open wounds differs from person to person, and if a person has diabetes, then an entirely different type of wound care steps must be taken. There are reasons why a person with diabetes cannot treat a wound in the same way everyone else does, and this is especially true of wounds and lesions on the feet.
Circulatory Problems
People with diabetes frequently experience circulation issues. The blood slows as it reaches the feet and it has an especially difficult time circulating back up to the heart. Blood vessels in diabetics can narrow, restricting the flow of blood and prevent a normal rate of healing. Ergo, if you are diabetic and you have a wound on your foot, it can quickly turn into an infected ulcer and take months to heal.
Another problem with wound care as it applies to diabetics and circulation is that tissue can become necrotic very quickly. Without effective blood flow, the injured tissues die, cell regrowth stops, and then you are left with black, rotting tissue. This is a real problem as it could turn into gangrene, and you may need amputation. If you are a diabetic with a foot wound, visit your podiatrist regularly, and do exactly what the podiatrist tells you to do.
Inability to Fight Infections
Diabetics already have compromised systems, so it is harder for them to fight infection. If a wound becomes infected, it will not heal without a lot of help. Most everyone else can fight wound infection with topical antibiotics and internal antibiotics, but diabetics can only take antibiotics in pill form to help fight the infection from the inside out. Additionally, because of the circulatory issues, an oral antibiotic takes a long time to get to the source of the infection (i.e., your foot/feet). This typically means that you have to take a course of antibiotics that are specifically for diabetics or you have to take a longer course of antibiotics to see improvement.
Keeping Wounds Moist
Most people are told to keep wounds moist. This helps wounds heal faster and with less scar tissue. It also helps prevent infection by keeping the wounds covered. However, it is very hard for diabetics to keep wounds moist because their skin dries out quickly and they urinate frequently. If you have diabetes, you will need to flush the wound every time you change the bandages. This helps keep your wound moist so that it can heal better. It also prevents cell and tissue death from the circulatory issues.
Contact a doctor like Scola, Jere A for more information and assistance.