Alleviating Pain: Tips For Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetes can produce many complicated and often unforeseen conditions. Some of the most prominent of these happen to the lower body. A common condition is developing neuropathy in the lower legs and the feet. This causes certain issues to unintentionally become ignored due to a patient no longer receiving pain feedback from affected areas. 

A common result of this is diabetic foot ulcers. Not only are diabetic foot ulcers common, but they also can be difficult to manage. That’s why today we’ll explore some simple tips to improve your diabetic foot ulcer recovery.

Tips to Help Recovery

Healing from ulcers on your feet can be challenging at times due to their location. It’s often not feasible for someone to stop using their feet during healing. This leads to increased pressure and irritation and provides a further risk of infection. So here are some things you can do to help your wound.

Reduce the Pressure

As mentioned before, most patients with diabetic foot ulcers still need to use their feet to get around, but it’s important to reduce the amount of pressure on your ulcer. This can be done in different ways, including braces, special casts, wheelchairs, crutches, or special footwear. This is all to reduce irritation and lower the risk of infection.

Manage Blood Sugar

Managing your blood glucose levels is something that all diabetic patients strive to do. However, paying extra care to it is important when dealing with an ulcer. An unmanaged glucose level could adversely affect your healing.

Medication and Dressing

Effective wound care involves the application of dressings and topical medications, which can range from basic saline solutions to advanced treatments like growth factors, ulcer dressings, and skin substitutes. These advanced products have been proven to be particularly effective in treating foot ulcers. It’s essential to have adequate blood flow to the affected area, to ensure proper healing. While most of these options have to be provided to you, properly maintaining them at home is essential.

Knowing When to Seek Help

Diabetic foot ulcers are common enough that some people may choose not to seek professional medical assistance for them. While some ulcers can go away with basic care, seeing a medical professional is the safe choice. That’s why our team recommends Sammy A. Zakhary, MD, PC, in Glendale, AZ, to ensure your diabetic foot ulcer is taken care of. So don’t wait until your ulcers sneak up on you. Contact Dr. Sammy A. Zakhary today at 623-258-3255 to get the care you deserve.