Understanding Foot Wounds
These issues often develop for numerous reasons, including but not limited to: 
- Wearing poorly fitted or tight shoes.
- Small foreign objects like pebbles in footwear.
- Minor injuries from walking, blisters, or calluses.
Foot wounds present various symptoms, and it's crucial to recognize them early to prevent complications:
- Wounds may appear as cuts, scrapes, blisters, or ulcers.
- They can range from shallow to deep and might show signs of redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Infected ulcers may have a foul odor, pus, or show streaks of redness extending from the site.
- The surrounding skin might feel warm to the touch, and the wound may cause pain or tenderness.
In individuals with diabetic neuropathy, wounds might not be painful due to reduced sensation, making visual inspection crucial for early detection.
What may initially seem like a minor inconvenience can escalate if untreated. To prevent further damage, avoid placing weight on the affected area and seek professional care promptly if a wound develops.
Importance of Wound Care for Individuals with Diabetes
Wound care is critical to diabetes management due to the increased risk of complications from injuries. Diabetic neuropathy—a form of nerve damage common in people with diabetes—often begins in the feet. This condition can cause numbness, pain, burning sensations, the feeling of "pins and needles", sensitivity to touch, and muscle weakness, making it harder to detect injuries.
Combined with circulatory problems, these factors can lead to wounds that may not heal properly and potentially develop into dangerous conditions such as ulcers or gangrene.
Proper Wound Care Steps
Caring for a wound immediately can prevent infection and promote healing:
- Clean the wound: Rinse under running water to remove dirt. Avoid soap, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine as they can irritate the wound.
- Apply antibiotic ointment: Use a suitable antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
- Cover the wound: Protect the area with a clean bandage, replacing it daily.
- Clean surrounding skin: Use mild soap to clean the area around the wound without affecting the wound itself.
If you don't start to see an improvement within a few days, schedule a same-day appointment in one of our Gilbert or Chandler offices.
When Wounds Don’t Heal
Chronic wounds or ulcers require prompt attention to avoid severe complications such as:
- Infection risk. Untreated wounds can become infected and spread to nearby tissue or bone.
- Gangrene. Poor blood flow or infection can lead to tissue death, necessitating surgical removal (debridement) to prevent further problems.
Early detection and treatment are vital to prevent the need for more invasive procedures like amputation.
Preventing Foot Wounds
Preventative measures are key to avoiding wounds. Here's what we recommend:
- Daily foot inspections. Check your feet thoroughly, including the tops, bottoms, sides, between toes, and toenails. Use a mirror if needed.
- Foot hygiene. Wash and dry your feet daily, and keep the skin moisturized to prevent cracks.
- Proper footwear. Wear comfortable shoes with ample toe space to avoid pressure points and injuries.
- Toenail care. Every week, trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails and related complications.
- Maintain good blood sugar levels. Proper glucose control reduces the risk of nerve damage and wound development in people with diabetes.
If you notice any of the symptoms we explained above, call our offices right away.