What do celebrities like Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, and Patti LaBelle have in common? They all have diabetes, and they all have to think about wound care and how it relates to amputation prevention. If you also have this condition, taking care of ulcers on your feet is essential to living a healthy life.
Between poor blood circulation and nerve damage in your lower limbs, your feet are at a higher risk of developing skin wounds called ulcers. These open sores are difficult to heal, so prevention is the first line of defense. You should be checking your feet daily after a bath or shower. Use a mirror to look at hard-to-see places and check thoroughly. Wear good fitting shoes and clean, dry socks every day; never go barefoot. You can groom your toenails yourself (cut across in a straight line), but go to a medical professional for callus removal.
If you happen to develop an ulcer, even after taking good care of your feet, clean the wound with warm water and apply a sterile bandage. Then set up an appointment with Dr. Mitchell Wachtel immediately for expert wound care. Stay off your feet while the wound is healing, as too much pressure will likely open the sore back up again. Open wounds are magnets for infection, and if gangrene sets in, an amputation may be the only option for healing.
For any podiatric problems, related to diabetes or not, call Dr. Mitchell Wachtel at 888-616-2512 or schedule an appointment online at our North Andover, Lowell, or Haverhill, MA, office. Don’t let an ulcer lead to the need for drastic treatment—contact us today.