Diabetes and the Increased Risk of Wounds.

For patients with diabetes, the development of chronic wounds – particularly foot ulcers – can cause serious complications if not properly treated.

More than 16 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and about 15 percent of them will develop foot ulcers, the most common cause of amputation in patients with diabetes.

Foot ulcers develop from wounds that won’t heal. Even a minor cut or scrape that a patient is unaware of can develop into an ulcer. This is caused by Diabetic Neuropathy – a condition that affects the nerves, causing numbness and loss of feeling in the hands and feet.

Wound care experts - doctors who are specially trained to treat chronic wounds – can develop individualized programs for treating existing foot ulcers and preventing the recurrence of new ones. Wound care doctors and staff can also provide education to assist patients in dealing with foot problems at home.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Decreased blood flow to the hands and feet can contribute to amputations and is four times more likely to occur in patients with diabetes.

Diabetic patients should be aware of the following symptoms:

• Numbness
  
• Burning
  
• Tingling
  
• Weakness
• Unusual sweating
  

The likelihood of contracting diabetes increases with age. Other symptoms to be aware of include:

• Absent or weakened pulses below the knees
• Pain in the legs and/or feet
• Cold, blue, pale or even reddened feet

Inspect your feet daily.
Use a mirror, or have someone else check them if you are unable. Remember to check between the toes. Check for dryness, redness, tenderness, calluses, and dry cracks.

Things to do and not to do.

• Apply moisturizer to dry areas, but not between toes.
• Don’t go barefoot – indoors or outdoors.
• Avoid exposing your feet to extreme hot or cold.
• Use sunscreen.
• Never use hot water bottles or heating pads on your feet
• If feet are cold at night, use loose cotton socks.
• Beware of car heaters on long trips.
• Don’t use adhesive tape on feet.
• Keep toes clean and free of debris between toes.
• Trim nails straight across – best done by your physician or podiatrist.
• Never cut corns or calluses yourself. Never use commercial corn, callus, or wart removers.
• See your physician or podiatrist if you develop a blister or sore on your foot.
• Buy proper shoes to fit the shape of your foot. Buy them later in the day, to accommodate for swelling and avoid sandals and open toe shoes. Never wear new shoes for more than two hours at a time. Inspect your feet after removing new shoes for signs of blisters or redness.
• Never wear stockings or socks made of synthetic material. One hundred percent cotton socks are good. Avoid socks with seams. Wear only clean socks and change them daily. Inspect your socks when you remove them for any signs of drainage or blood.
• Control your blood sugars. This can help prevent diabetic neuropathy, or keep it from becoming worse.

More help available. For more expert advice, see your doctor. •

Sherry Chappell is the director of Pittsburgh’s Ohio Valley General Hospital Wound Care Center®. For more information or to make an appointment with a wound care expert, call 412-250-2600.