5 Tips When Caring for a Diabetic Foot Wound

Living with diabetes means having to think about certain aspects of your life a bit differently. One example of this is how you care for your feet. It’s common to get scrapes, cuts, and wounds on this part of your body, but you need to be extra vigilant if you have diabetes. 

Southwest Foot & Ankle in Scottsdale, Arizona, can help manage your foot wounds, especially if they’ve gotten severe. But we also recommend taking care of these issues as early as possible at home. 

Here, our providers — Petrina C. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS, and Mark T. Lewis, DPM, FACFAS — can give you the skinny on how to manage your foot wounds and avoid more serious problems down the road. 

Why feet are a concern for people living with diabetes

For many people, a small cut or blister on your foot will heal on its own without concern. But if you have diabetes, this can worsen quickly, especially if you don’t experience any of the early warning signs like pain. Many people living with diabetes suffer from neuropathy and lose sensation in their extremities.

Unfortunately, this issue is common and 19-34% of patients with diabetes are estimated to experience foot ulcers during their lifetime. Foot ulcers can be managed with treatment in our office, but we highly recommend avoiding the whole problem with a few tricks you can employ at home. 

Tip for caring for foot wounds when you live with diabetes 

1. Practice prevention

If you can prevent a foot wound, that’s even better than safely managing one. So, make sure you wear closed-toe shoes that fit well, avoid wearing wet shoes or socks, and stay hydrated. Also, don’t forget to inspect your feet daily. No matter how big or small your wound, you want to be aware if one occurs. 

2. Clean your wound 

Let’s say that, despite taking care of your feet, you do get a wound of some kind. Don’t panic; these things happen. Clean your wound thoroughly. Use warm (not hot!) water and antibacterial soap. Then use a clean, cloth towel to pat the wound dry. 

3. Cover your wound 

Many people used to believe that letting a wound air out was the best practice, but now we know it's much better to keep it protected from the elements. Make sure you put an over-the-counter ointment on your wound and cover it with a clean, dry bandage. Also, change your dressing every day, washing the wound again and redressing it each time. 

4. Keep an eye on your wound 

Make sure you continue to inspect the wound area. You’ll be able to tell if it’s healing. If it’s not, your wound may become darker, change color, or start to smell bad. These are all signs your wound is getting worse. It may take some time for your wound to heal, especially if you’re dealing with neuropathy, so pay attention. 

5. Visit your provider if your foot wound doesn’t get better 

If things get worse, schedule a visit to our office to get the help you need. A worsening wound can become a diabetic ulcer, meaning many different treatments may be necessary, including stitches, skin grafting, medication, or PRP therapy. 

If you can manage your wound at home, great! But we would always rather you receive the help you need or ask if you’re unsure. After all, we’re just a phone call away!

Wound care at home and in office

We’re happy to provide you with tips, information, and treatment for diabetic wound care. No matter what you need, we’re here to make sure you get the support that best suits your situation.

Make an appointment at Southwest Foot & Ankle today. Call our office at 480-900-7399 or schedule a visit online. We’re here to help!