What to Do if You Notice a Foot Wound and Have Diabetes

When you have diabetes, you don't just have to worry about the levels of glucose that flow through your blood vessels. You also have to worry about the health of the blood vessels themselves. Too much sugar in your blood damages the vessel walls, increasing your risk for atherosclerosis and other complications.

The blood vessels in your feet are particularly susceptible to damage. Your circulatory system already has a herculean chore getting blood back up from your feet toward the heart for reoxygenation, fighting gravity all the way. Damaged blood vessels can slow that process down.

When your feet don’t get the healthy circulation they need to bring nutrients to tissues, the nerves die. If you develop this complication — known as diabetic neuropathy — you may not feel pain in your feet anymore — even if you step on a piece of glass.

In addition, sluggish circulation leads to slow wound healing. That’s why daily foot self-exams are critical to keeping your feet healthy. 

But what happens when you find a wound on your foot and you have diabetes? What should you do first?

Babak Kosari, DPM, FACFAS, is an expert podiatrist and foot surgeon who offers diabetic foot care at his offices in Northridge and Santa Clarita, California. If you live in the Greater Los Angeles area, Dr. Kosari and our team can help you keep your feet healthy and safe.

When you have diabetes, what should you do if you notice a foot wound? Follow the steps below.

Ask yourself …

The first thing to do when you notice a wound, ulcer, or blister on your foot is to query yourself about your habits. Have you followed your podiatrist’s instructions and examined your feet every day?

If so, and you didn’t notice the wound yesterday, it could possibly heal on its own as long as you keep it clean, bandaged, and take pressure off the wound.

If you realize that you haven’t looked at your feet in days, weeks, or more, you may have a slow-healing or no-healing wound. In that case, move directly to step 2.

Call us

If your wound has lasted for more than a day or two and isn’t showing signs of healing, or if it’s a severe wound, call our office. One danger with diabetic foot wounds is that they can become infected easily.

An infection in a diabetic foot wound can progress to gangrene. The only cure for gangrene is to amputate the affected toe, foot, or lower limb. Diabetes is the No. 1 reason behind nontraumatic foot amputations.

Take a load off

Whether your appointment is for later in the same day, or for another day, if you have a foot wound, do your best to remove all pressure, particularly if the wound is on the sole of your foot.

If you must walk, try to use an assistive device, such as a cane. Try to sit with your foot elevated as much as possible.

Wash and cover

If you haven’t already, gently cleanse your foot with warm water and a gentle soap. Be sure to wash between your toes, too. Take this opportunity to check for other gashes, blisters, or wounds, too.

Dry your foot gently but completely. If you have a healing ointment, apply that to the wound. Then gently bandage the area, but don’t wrap it tightly.

While we used to think that wounds heal best when exposed to the air, that’s not the case. You want to keep the wound as wet as possible, which means protecting it with a bandage.

However, even though you should keep the wound moist, now’s not the time for swimming or spas. Don’t soak your feet at all. Wash them gently in the shower or under the bath spigot.

Don’t try to self-treat

You may be tempted to try to treat your wound yourself with alcohol or iodine; don’t do it. Alcohol and other treatments may actually damage the skin surrounding the wound, complicating the healing process.

Step into our office

Particularly if your wound isn’t a fresh one, it may need to be debrided. Debridement is a process in which we remove dead skin, dirt, and other debris from your wound to help it heal faster. However, you cannot do it on your own. You may need to come to our office several times for debridement as your wound heals.

You should also add diabetic foot checks to your regular self-care appointments. We help you develop the habits you need to control your blood sugar and save your feet. We also conduct thorough examinations of your feet for small wounds or blisters that need treatment.

Did you discover a foot wound or blister when you have diabetes? Phone our office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today for wound debridement and diabetic foot care.